yet another thread about girl parts

[moonfroggy]

i am feeling really shy posting this. i am pretty new here been lurking some. i don't remember when i made my account but i only really have been reading much recently. i have read a lot of old threads but i haven't found anything that is exactly what i am dealing with and i am feeling a bit desperate and so here i am asking for advice.

first i have been having minor issues with cysts and i read a lot of old threads and not so old threads about cysts. what i get are definitely cysts but they are on the inner labia and a lot of threads it sounds like cysts that are more common are in other areas. so far my cysts have always gone away on there own but i know that they sometimes need to be surgically removed. i currently have a terry butterfly and when i am on my bike riding i tend to feel pretty comfortable but the longer the ride the more often the more likely i am to get the cysts. i have been told that my bike looks like it is at a good height for me and it is pretty level and looks like it is set up right for me. however my bike is way to big for me. i am 4'10 and it is just really hard to get a bike that fits. i am going to be getting a luna orbit! in the near future so maybe that will help i hope that helps

on long rides (between 20 and 30 miles) i usually wear my Ibex El Fito Wool Knickers and they feel comfortable. i use body glide stuff on the chamois and on myself but not the inner labia area. it usually doesnt feel like any chaffing issues

ok and then a second question and what has me actually posting here because i am feeling a little freaked out and worried because i really really love riding my bike and i don't want the issue today to keep happening and prevent me from riding the bike. today with all sorts of stuff done in place to prevent chaffing and everything. i rode up over a big tall mountain down the otehr side then back over it to get home. and tonight i realized that the lower part of my labia is bleeding. on both sides. so there must have been some chaffing or something. i don't know what caused the bleeding no pain on the ride. i felt great but i am feeling sore now. my muscles don't feel all that sore. everything else feels great but my girl bits are sore and i feel so shy posting this but i really want to be able to go on another long bike ride this thursday when my husband will be home to watch my son. i would really like to go past 30 miles and break my current record.

i have read a lot of old posts i hope my questions aren't to repetitive. i really hope someone will reply and have some advice for me! i am very much an amateur with bike stuff and very shy talking about this stuff out loud so this is the easiest way for me to get any advice.

[Melalvai]

I don't have any answers for you, but I'm glad you asked the questions, because while I've heard (and experienced) of girl bit pain from saddle position, I haven't heard or experienced anything quite like what you describe. I hope bike fit clears it up for you. It sounds a bit scary! Maybe a visit to a doctor wouldn't go amiss, although doctors don't know all the answers so don't expect too much. Still it's worth a try.

[KnottedYet]

If you are tearing tissue and bleeding while riding, yet not feeling it while it is happening, please go to the doctor.

Your poor fit on the bike may be contributing to nerve compression as well as tissue damage.

Weightbearing on the front of the pelvis is incredibly damaging (as you have experienced!). Do you have anyone who can help you with your riding posture and the bike you have now?

[moonfroggy]

i think the not feeling any pain while riding may be more because i have a lot of trouble sometimes "being in my body" if that makes any sense. got my teeth cleaned the other day and hardly felt anything and last time i had a pap smear i didn't feel anything. i have a um dissociative disorder that makes it so i just am not always super aware of my body. riding the bike helps me a lot though.
at the bike shop my posture looked good but that was riding around a parking lot. i will see if i can find a friend to go on a long ride with me and pay more attention to what i am doing. today stuff seems like it has already healed a lot.there was almost no bleeding but that there was any is a bit scary.

[KnottedYet]

Complications from the dissociative disorder makes it all the more important to go to the doctor. Tissue damage and inability to sense it is not something to be trifled with.

Frank bleeding is generally a sign of a problem. You do not have to accept abuse from your bike. After you check in with your doctor, can you get someone who knows about bike fitting and has some expertise (a fitter, a bike shop clerk, a trainer) to put your bike on a trainer stand and have you spin the pedals while they observe the fit and your posture?

Sometimes it takes trained eyes and a bike held stationary as you "ride."

[moonfroggy]

there is only one bike shop near me i will see if the guy at that shop can set me up in a trainer and watch. it means having to explain the problem and talk out loud about it which is really really um hard for me to do.

the dissociative stuff also comes with somewhat sever ptsd and is related to abuse as a child. talking about my body here is hard for me. talking out loud with my really nice female doctor whow as a midwife will be really hard and i will probably stutter a lot. trying to talk to the guy at the bike shop. he seems very nice but he is a guy. i may stutter to much to make any sense. other bike shops are over an hour away. the nearest bike shop just has one guy who works there he is really nice and helpful though.

[Eden]

Could you write it all down? It might be easier to explain to the fitter that it is hard to talk about and hand them a written description. They will still have to ask you questions, but it might be a way to get started.

I'm not sure where you are at, if it is a small town it might be harder to find someone, but often physical therapists will do bike fits as well. Would it be easier for you to go to a medical professional and maybe even find a woman?

[moonfroggy]

it is just sort of rural where i am. i think i will just have to make arrangements to drive a ways and find someone i can be comfortable with. writing stuff down would help a lot i will do that. really riding my bike is one of the best things for the ptsd. bike riding and talk therapy.

i know someone who can probably tell me the very best place to go that will be the least scary for me.

[KnottedYet]

If you are worried you'll stutter to your doctor, write it down. I write stuff down for my doctor all the time. They are used to that.

For the shop guy, just ask if he can do a fit check and check your posture. Let him know you are interested in fit. Tell him you are getting a custom bike in the future, but you want to make this one fit as best you can now. Expect to pay for a full fit session (which is about an hour), but a quick fit and posture check (about 10 minutes) is not likely to have a charge. Give the guy a plate of cookies as a thank you, and give the shop your business.

[moonfroggy]

ok that sounds very doable. i will find out if local bike shop guy can do a fit check like that. he did sort of do one. but obviously there is a problem. and he is going to be putting my custom bike together and doing tune ups and everything he gets lots of business from me since i discovered his shop. closer to me is a surf shop that does bike stuff but the guy who works there is a jerk and not helpful so i don't go there for anything.

[lph]

Moonfroggy, do you have a friend who could come with you to the bike shop? I'm thinking having someone you're comfortable talking to could make the exchange easier, someone to fill in the gaps, make small talk, ask the little questions you may not think of etc., take the pressure off of you having to handle all the dialogue.

Any bike shop employees that know anything at all about biking will know all about saddle pain and the importance of a good fit, though, so expect them to take this in their stride. It's essential to both men and women, beginners and veterans alike.

Re your problem directly - I've never bled, but I have had bad chafing that I didn't notice until after the ride, because of compression I assume. Moving my handlebars closer to me with a shorter stem helped, a saddle with a larger cut-out and the right tilt helped, and changing my riding position around a lot on long rides helps a lot. Standing, sitting, sprinting, change is good.

[moonfroggy]

i will see if i can find a friend that can help me. my husband could go but he has so much social anxiety he might not be much help.

i have another thought about the chafing which is that my bike nickers look like they fit me pretty well but i have been gaining a lot of muscle and loosing a lot of fat and i avoid scales but most of my clothes no longer fit the way they did a few months ago. i am certainly thinner than i was when i got my knickers. if they are to big could that cause chaffing? i have worn them for almost every bike ride since i got them because they are warm when it is cold and drizzly out. i wash them as soon as i can so they will be clean for the next ride and when they have not been dry enough and i had to wear other shorts i have been disappointing. i think though the chamois in one of my other pair of shorts is more comfortable. not sure which one i should figure that out.

[lph]

i have another thought about the chafing which is that my bike nickers look like they fit me pretty well but i have been gaining a lot of muscle and loosing a lot of fat and i avoid scales but most of my clothes no longer fit the way they did a few months ago. i am certainly thinner than i was when i got my knickers. if they are to big could that cause chaffing?

Definitely! If the chamois is getting a bit "poofy" and loose from a lot of use and you have gotten thinner, I'd say this is the prime suspect for chafing. Do spring for a new pair, you will need them sooner or later and comfort on bike is essential. Rotating pairs will help against chafing in itself.

[malkin]

For the bike store guy, you don't need to give any more detail than "saddle issues." Chances are, this will be enough to make him a little uncomfortable too.

You did a great job of explaining in your post!

[artifactos]

I have nothing more to add to the other reccomendations (get thee to a doctor, get a better bike fit, write things down/take a friend if necessary to help communicate), but I want to say that I'm proud of you being able to write everything out so clearly for us to understand and try to help you. I'm sure it must have been very hard for you, but I'm glad you were able to do that for yourself and get the help you needed. :)

[channlluv]

+1 to that.

Roxy

[Zen]

I'm proud of you being able to write everything out so clearly for us to understand and try to help you. I'm sure it must have been very hard for you, but I'm glad you were able to do that for yourself and get the help you needed. :)

That pretty much sums up the spirit of TE.
Go Team!
Go Moonfroggy!

[RolliePollie]

I have chafing issues in the same area you describe. It is definitely pretty embarassing to talk about it, so good for you for posting!

My chafing has only bled once, but many times it's been very raw and it is super duper painful! You also mentioned it was worse when you rode hills...I find this to be the case as well. I do think finding the right saddle is important, but I've tried many saddles and I still get chafing in the inner labia area. I think it's more about anatomy...for some reason, some of us get chafed in different places than other people. Maybe we have exceptionally thin skin there or something. Anyway, I have a couple of suggestions for you that have really helped me...

First off, like lph already posted, rotate between two or three pairs of shorts (or knickers). Even if they're the same brand, the chamois will be slightly different and you won't be rubbing the same parts raw over and over again. I have found some great deals on shorts at http://sierratradingpost.com (http://www.sierratradingpost.com)

Secondly, use tons of chamois cream all over "down there." Some people say this creates a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, but I have not had any problems (knock on wood!). I use inexpensive baby lotion, like Baby Magic. I used to use AstroGlide, but it's expensive and it kind of disappears into your shorts after a while. I always carry extra lotion with me on the bike so I can re-apply it after potty stops.

I hope you are able to figure something out to help. You're not alone (for what it's worth!) :o

[zoom-zoom]

I've had a bit of bleeding in that region, too. I don't think I have the world's "daintiest" labial area and if I don't use plenty of chamois butter I get literally rubbed the wrong way. I'm hoping this is mostly an issue of the indoor trainer and that things will improve outdoors. If not I'll probably look at a different saddle (right now I have the Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow).

[moonfroggy]

i am glad i posted. everyone here has been so kind and so helpful. i ordered a new pair of shorts and will get another pair next month (my birthday is next month!) i am sort of relieved that i am not a freak of nature and others have the same problem but would be better if no one had chaffing issues.

i will see doctor soon and get in for a bike fitting as soon as i can and use more chamois butter than i use now. i luckily never have problems with yeast or bacteria so hopefully i can use more of that stuff and have it prevent chaffing and stay yeast and bacteria free as well.

[lovesunflowers]

Thank you for having the courage to talk about this here!! I'm a big girl and have had enough issues trying to talk to the local bike shops about saddles and such and about this same issue. Its embarrassing and I don't want to give up on a sport I can actually do and love so much. I've never bled but boy oh boy, I've been in a lot of pain!! I appreciate reading I'm NOT the only one out there!! :D

[sundial]

i am sort of relieved that i am not a freak of nature....

You are NOT a freak of nature and I applaud your courage to step outside your comfort zone. You are in the company of wise ladies who will be happy to offer you encouragement. :)

[tiva]

I hope you found a solution. I had a lot of compression pain on my labia as well, and I found these things helped:
1. tilting my seat a tiny bit downward
2. a cut-out seat with large cut-outs
3. and most oddly, but most importantly, if I tuck things inside a bit, I don't get the pain. I don't know how to put this politely, but after using the restroom and washing my hands well, I fold the labia inside when I'm riding, and that helps a lot on the bike.

OK, until a moment ago, my husband was the only person on earth who knew I did this!

[MLR]

I am also glad that I am not alone. I thought this irritation may have been due to the fact that I was post menopausal. I have found that changing my saddle to a very narrow saddle helped as well as A & D ointment and chamois butter. The problem is not gone and it is really frustrating to have the problem reoccur.

[zoom-zoom]

I've had a bit of bleeding in that region, too. I don't think I have the world's "daintiest" labial area and if I don't use plenty of chamois butter I get literally rubbed the wrong way. I'm hoping this is mostly an issue of the indoor trainer and that things will improve outdoors. If not I'll probably look at a different saddle (right now I have the Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow).

I need to update this...I have been on the Specialized Jett for a few months and it is a HUGE improvement. The previous saddle was too big/wide and too pear-shaped, so the cut-out was never where I needed it and I always had to push myself back on that saddle. I'm doing much better on a firmer, narrower, t-shaped saddle.

[navybeetle]

there is only one bike shop near me i will see if the guy at that shop can set me up in a trainer and watch. it means having to explain the problem and talk out loud about it which is really really um hard for me to do.

the dissociative stuff also comes with somewhat sever ptsd and is related to abuse as a child. talking about my body here is hard for me. talking out loud with my really nice female doctor whow as a midwife will be really hard and i will probably stutter a lot. trying to talk to the guy at the bike shop. he seems very nice but he is a guy. i may stutter to much to make any sense. other bike shops are over an hour away. the nearest bike shop just has one guy who works there he is really nice and helpful though.
Hang in there sister. Like you, I have had illnesses and bumps in the road that scared me into thinking that something I love to do could be taken away from me. I prayed my way through it and read stories about people overcoming physical/mental pain. I had a rough couple of years there. Two of my favorites were Krakauer's "Into the Void" (a great dvd too) and lance Armstrong's "It's not about the bike". Also, how about one of those saddles that have an empty space in the middle of the seat or one where you seem to just rest your butt on it? I am just getting back into biking after 20 years so I don't have any other suggestions. Hang tough but go to the doctor. I prefer a female when it comes to my nether regions :-)

[moonfroggy]

Hang in there sister. Like you, I have had illnesses and bumps in the road that scared me into thinking that something I love to do could be taken away from me. I prayed my way through it and read stories about people overcoming physical/mental pain. I had a rough couple of years there. Two of my favorites were Krakauer's "Into the Void" (a great dvd too) and lance Armstrong's "It's not about the bike". Also, how about one of those saddles that have an empty space in the middle of the seat or one where you seem to just rest your butt on it? I am just getting back into biking after 20 years so I don't have any other suggestions. Hang tough but go to the doctor. I prefer a female when it comes to my nether regions :-)


thanks this is sort of an old thread now. i guess i should post an update

i did finally see a doctor and that was all ok and i managed it. i stopped wearing the shorts that are now to big for me. if i wear shorts that fit i have no problem or almost no problem. since i got my new bike i notice when i spend a lot of time in the drops there is some chaffing i think i need to adjust the saddle some or maybe try a different saddle. anyhow i have had no bleeding and almost no chaffing and no more cysts.

[navybeetle]

Glad to hear you are working through it. I am sure I will have to as well :-)

[roadwrider]

Hi, I've been reading along and empathizing with all of you. I've been a road biker for, well... decades. I've had the boil/ingrown hair problem. I've had saddle issues. I've had numbness in my hands and toes (especially on my left side). I've had ill-fitting shorts and I've worked through the painful realization that my "new" bike was too big and I needed to invest in yet another. As for the boils, a Brazilian wax, loofa sponge, daily lotion and Chamoix Butt'r works like a charm for me. Granted, it may not be for everyone. I had severe tail bone pain a year ago that turned out to be a combination of poor saddle and bike fit. My old Terry seat was simply spreading my pelvis when I rode and it was ungodly painful to do anything on or off my beloved bike. I went with the Jett 143, although the smaller one may fit me as well. It's great (as moonfroggy can atest). I'm a minimalist, so the less pressure on any body parts the less opportunity for soreness. I'm tall, 5'9"+, but I have a very narrow pelvis and my hips tilt a full 3/4" down on my left side when I stand. That combined with a bike that was too big and poorly fit had me sliding around in the saddle and scooting forward when I rode, which pushed me off my sits bones and rested my weight on my girly-bits. OUCH. I kept having to reseat myself, which is not productive or efficient at all. My new bike is fit perfectly. The tech made sure to fit me from both sides to accommodate my hip issue and I've been back to tweak the peddle/cleet position and seat height so it feels good now with no numbness or chaffing. Lastly, I put customized bars on it that are narrower so my shoulders and elbows tuck in much better. In my experience, once a bike is dialed in where it belongs you'll know it's right when you feel like you're wearing it, not just riding it. Finally, Shebeest Triple-S shorts work great for me. I won't ride anything else. Last weekend I went 150 miles in two days averaging 18.7 mph with no issues. The team felt great and I'd do it again tomorrow if I could. Good luck ladies! I wish I could ride with all of you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Moonfroggy, do you have a friend who could come with you to the bike shop? I'm thinking having someone you're comfortable talking to could make the exchange easier, someone to fill in the gaps, make small talk, ask the little questions you may not think of etc., take the pressure off of you having to handle all the dialogue.

I was going to suggest this too. Especially if you can have a female friend come with you, just casual-like. She doesn't even have to bike, she can just come along and stand there while you talk to them, like you were both on your way somewhere together on some errand.

And rememebr, bike shop guys are constantly trying to solve saddle problems for men riders whose intimate parts are going numb, chafing, open sores, etc. This is not a new subject for them unless they just started working in a bike shop.

And yes going to the doctor is a good idea if you are bleeding!

[lph]

thanks this is sort of an old thread now. i guess i should post an update

i did finally see a doctor and that was all ok and i managed it. i stopped wearing the shorts that are now to big for me. if i wear shorts that fit i have no problem or almost no problem. since i got my new bike i notice when i spend a lot of time in the drops there is some chaffing i think i need to adjust the saddle some or maybe try a different saddle. anyhow i have had no bleeding and almost no chaffing and no more cysts.

Hey, cool :) Didn't see this update until now. Glad the new shorts are working well. I had some favourite shorts but sort of forgot that they deteriorate over time, so I didn't realize at first that they were the ones causing me trouble. Got some new ones, hey presto. And the old ones hit the trash can, old favourites or no.

Saddle fit, now that is a whole different can of worms. I wish we could all live near each other and have a saddle exchange program, trying out a zillion to find The One!