Need help with sore bottom! Not sure what to do...

Hi all. I have been back on the road again for about a month now. I have a mountain bike and a soft (but not too squishy Planet Bike Comfort Gel saddle with a groove down the center so my vaginal/labial area is ok) Lately, My butt has been sore but not the skin, just my muscles. Sometimes I feel a little sensitive where my sits bones are because the pain is exactly the same on both sides but it doesn't really bother me. I think I have a skin irritation of some sort. Yesterday I took a ride with some challenging hills (for me). My butt did not hurt during the ride too much. I have been shifting around the saddle trying to find my place. I also took most hills seated and only climbed upright a few times. My pain is in the back not in the front, my vaginal/labial area is doing alright. So, it was a very hot and humid day here in Omaha. The ride went so well and I was proud of myself because it went really well on the way home, I thought I would be hurting for sure, I wasn't, just tired. My clothes were soaked, I made my husband some dinner and then took off my clothes and I fell asleep. I woke up this morning with pain near my anus :o:o:o and surrounding skin:eek: (SORRY!) but I am trying to be specific so you gals can tell me how I should handle this. So, I woke up this morning and immediately took a shower because I was so grossed out and mad at myself for falling asleep like that:( I was in the Marines and have done some camping so I can go a long time without showering. So, I washed really well and it feels a little better now. At first I thought, "Do I have a hemmoroid"? But no, I have had those before and the pain is not as specific as that. Since i started riding again i have been wearing cotton bikinis under cut off cotton sweat pants. I was hoping that with the gel seat I could avoid wearing tight shorts. I probably went 5 miles yesterday which is my longest ride yet but my other rides have been @ 3 miles or so. Any suggestion, help would be GREATLY appreciated. I have reviewed other posts/threads but am not what my problem is specifically. Thanks so much :confused::confused:

First of all, there's really nothing wrong with sleeping before you take a shower. Your ancestors went entire months without one with no serious problems.
From the way you are speaking, I think the first thing you need to do is examine the area with lots of light and a mirror to eliminate surface problems.
Now if it is NOT a skin irritation, it could be that your squishy seat has you actually hurting your cocyxx bone. If that is the case, you need a bike fit.

Could be a heat rash...aggravated by hot weather, sweating, and pressure+friction. It can be painful in a place like that. Change your clothes and clean&dry that area well after a hot sweaty ride. Some talc might help too.
Sleeping naked might help it heal. (keeps it dry and air circulating)

I suspect your other 'bottom' pains will likely get better as you ride more often. :) Good that you are not experiencing any pain in the 'girl parts' up front. I think those are harder to eliminate on the bike.

Thanks Biciclista : I will check myself out with lights and a mirror. After I started the thread the thought came to me that I felt like I had a really bad wedgie, just in the back. The gel seat is brand new (1 month) and still feels pretty firm. I am thinking that my "panties were all in a knot" (Literally) due to sweat but I did not feel uncomfortable during the ride. Just once I woke up. I fell on my coxyxx bone pretty hard after falling from a bike that was too big for me when I was a girl. So I know that pain. Are you thinking that the seat is pushing on my coxyxx and as a result the skin right in that area is irritated. I have been riding this bike for a month, wouldn't the irritation have occured already? Thanks so much for thinking this through with me, It is a real pain in the a**!!!:o:mad::(:confused

Thanks Lisa. I will get out of the wet clothes immediately. Also, My Mom says "Gold Bond" talc draws heat away from the body so I will try that. It will be kind of difficult to "air out" this area:D!!!! It never sees the light of day or catches a cool breeze but I agree, there is nothing better for a cut, lesion or rash than letting it air out at night if possible. Thank you!!! So much!!! Still looking for suggestions, anyone else? :confused:

I was getting chafing from the hair around my anus when I run. It doesn't bother me on the bike, but maybe that's a possibility? I'd never trimmed that hair before, but once I started running longer distances, I had to start keeping it short. :o

+1 on taking a look at the area to see what you can see. Not too hard with a hand mirror and a good light. (Mine looked like a baboon's @ss, it was that red. :o)

I had pain in the skin over the coccyx before I got a new saddle. It's hard to explain -- sort of felt like the skin/muscles in that area had been injured. It wasn't pain in the bone itself.

I'm not sure if that's similar to what you are describing, but for me it was a saddle issue. I was sliding around on the soft, squishy saddle and I think it stretched or injured the skin or muscle. All was well when I got a firmer saddle with the sit bones properly supported.

You mentioned shifting around on the saddle -- for me, that was a sign I had the wrong saddle. When I got the right one, I just fit right on it.

Don't wear cotton in hot, sweaty weather. You don't have to get spandex cycling shorts if you don't want to, but perhaps some loose-fitting mountain bike shorts with a liner will help to keep things from bunching up in sensitive places. Something made with Coolmax or similar, breathable material.

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Originally Posted by navybeetle

...It will be kind of difficult to "air out" this area:D!!!! It never sees the light of day or catches a cool breeze but I agree, there is nothing better for a cut, lesion or rash than letting it air out at night if possible.

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How about maybe a popsicle stick prop?

JUST KIDDING!!! :D

Seriously though, Navy,
if you think your problem might be due to sweating/chafing/heat rash, and not due to your saddle, then I humbly point out that products for this problem are available that might help in your situation.
Please don't think I am making fun- I'm totally just trying to help when I give this link. The product is somewhat unfortunately named, but it might help! (might give your hubby a laugh too) Apparently a lot of people do have this problem with rash and chafing 'where the sun don't shine', especially when exercising in the hot humid summer. Good luck!

Oakleaf- this product might help you too, considering your own 'colorful description'. :eek:

That stuff's very popular among motorcyclists. :D

Trimming the hair, and a dab of shea butter if it's going to be really hot and sweaty, seems to have solved it.

There's nothing more irritating than damp cotton. Check out some wicking undies (I think there are some made for travelers that could work well). I gave myself a terrible heat rash riding in cotton undies a few years ago. Not fun. Also, the powder with the funny name (see above post) gets good reviews from motorcyclists around here.

Deb

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

That stuff's very popular among motorcyclists. :D

Trimming the hair, and a dab of shea butter if it's going to be really hot and sweaty, seems to have solved it.

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I checked out "the situation" down below. I have a little hair and will try to trim it without injuring myself! I couldn't help but laugh when I did my "mirror inspection", we only have a full length mirror in the closet. So there I was...
Anyway, shea butter? I have seen it in the drugstore in a lotion type bottle. Does it come in a thicker cream consistency that I can dab on? So, just a dab'll do ya? :confused::D What about talc ladies? I don't want to over do it and make things worse, I haven't used talc much. Hope to get some anti-monkey butt soon. Thanks for any help! You ladies are the best:o:D

[QUOTE=BleeckerSt_Girl;516549]Seriously though, Navy,
if you think your problem might be due to sweating/chafing/heat rash, and not due to your saddle, then I humbly point out that products for this problem are available that might help in your situation.
Please don't think I am making fun- I'm totally just trying to help when I give this link.


Do you think I can use talc while it heals? Can I use talc/monkey butt or shea butter together? I am inquisitive I know... I want to get back on the bike!:(

+1 for Anti Monkey Butt powder. Didn't know there was a girl version, though. I've been using unisex and it hasn't hurt me that I know of.

I though for sure it was going to be this product

If you try shea butter, make sure you get PURE shea butter, not lotion products that may have ingredients that shouldn't go on those areas. It's a solid at room temperature. Drug stores may have it - not sure - natural food stores do, and also I've found it at a garden center (since gardeners may want to pamper their hands in their "off" hours).

It's what I use for chamois lube. Anything that's suitable for chamois cream is safe for a little farther back. ;) Shea butter, Body Glide, DZ Nuts, whatever you choose.

I bet Desitin would work. Afterall, it's worked for millions of babies who sit in wet diapers way too long.

I think that talc is not good to put close to, as Knott would say, the hoo-ha area. Cornstarch powder might be better.

I can also highly recommend goodiesunlimited.com everything balm which has all sorts of healing things including tea tree oil, shea butter, camomile, some very mild mint or eucallyptus, all natural ingreadients and can be used for everything from healing sunburn, preventing scars, lubricating places where vaseline and other petroleum derivatives can or shouldn't go to in the labia for yeast infections and female itchiness.

I would be careful about trimming hairs as that could lead to folliculitus or short haris becoming abcessed and infected.

Next time I think the celestial plumber or plumbers should build the boat in their basement. Female plumping makes no sense. Except for the child bearing issue, we would all be better off wiith male style external type pllumbing.

Hope it gets better real soon.

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Originally Posted by Zen

I though for sure it was going to be this product

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I have a giant jar of that stuff. It works for all kinds of things. I use it mostly for my bulldog's face wrinkles. Works great.

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Originally Posted by marni

I would be careful about trimming hairs as that could lead to folliculitus or short haris becoming abcessed and infected.

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No, nothing like that, no shaving, waxing, tweezing, my skin's too sensitive for all that. Just keeping them to 1/2-3/4". No more risky than cutting the hair on my head.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

No, nothing like that, no shaving, waxing, tweezing, my skin's too sensitive for all that. Just keeping them to 1/2-3/4". No more risky than cutting the hair on my head.

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Marni gives sound advice. At first I thought the advice from another thread was to shave the area but then remembered posts about bumps or boils resulting from shaving so I didn't shave thank god! Like oakleaf said, just a trim in that area, like I do with the rest! I will check out the webpage marni posted. I picked up some Boudreaux's Butt Paste today as someone mentioned it. I was looking for shea butter butt (no pun intended) they only had products containing shea butter. I put on the butt paste after washing and drying "the area" and it feels alright. Still trying to buy some anti-monkey butt locally. Walgreens was a no go. I have to find some new shorts because I have learned the hard way and in these lists that cotton is a no no. I am going to try to find some kind of MTB short, not up for the tight spandex right now. Thanks again to everyone, still open to suggestions... Thanks for all the help

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Originally Posted by marni

Female plumping makes no sense.

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I keep telling that to my bathroom scale, but it doesn't listen.

Hi! I'm an avid mountain biker/roadie and I just happen to work with the company that makes Anti Monkey Butt Powder!! Let me tell you first hand that I have dealt with similar irritation issues and Anti Monkey Butt Powder has fixed them all. :D It's better than the chamois butters because it actually ABSORBS the sweat with the talc (or in the Lady Anti Monkey Butt case corn starch) and the calamine handles the irritation. Butters only help with the irritation- not the sweat. Also, I would seriously avoid any other powders that have menthol-- I can tell your from experience your lady parts are going to be crying if you do that. If any of you have a blog an would like some free Anti Monkey Butt Powder to review just drop me a line or reply to the post. And if you want to buy the product, but can't fin it in the stores you can always get it in our online store. You can also contact me with any questions about the product or where to find it locally. Happy riding!!

P.S. The AMBP also works great in your sports bra, helmet and leg/knee pads!!

Thanks so much Brittany. I don't have a Blog but I could use a little help. Do you know what stores in the Omaha, NE area sell AMBP? I am in the 68116 area code but can go elsewhere if I need to. I went to Walgreens in my neighborhood but no go. Also, what can I do until I get some AMBP? You know, to hold me over. Is AMBP something I would use every time I ride or just in high heat and humidity? Can I use it everywhere? I was thinking it might help in the girl parts to keep yeast infections and irritation at bay. Thanks so much!!!!

A lot of pharmacies, hardware stores and other retailers do carry the product...here's a link to our master list of all the stores that carry it. Our online store is always stocked, too. :D I use the Lady AMBP every single time I ride, but I definitely find it most helpful when it's hot and humid. You can absolutely use it everywhere- I love putting it inside my jersey and sports bra because it helps cut down on the acne on my back. I'm a big mountain biker and it's also great for preventing chafing in my leg pads. You can even put it in your shoes ;). In terms of the girl parts it does help A LOT. I was also surprised that the light fragrance in the Lady AMBP did not bother me at all. If you are super sensitive you can always use the original AMBP. You can even use it when your not riding to help with keep yourself dry in the lady parts and keep the yeast infections at bay. I know I always use it post shower!:D

I will check out some of the stores on the list. Also, I appreciate the specifics on uses. This was a big help to me :) Still trying to find the right shorts for me, I have to get away from the cotton undies/sweatshorts! Not a big fan of Lycra shorts, too binding in the girlie nether regions. :D

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Originally Posted by Brittany

A lot of pharmacies, hardware stores and other retailers do carry the product...here's a link to our master list of all the stores that carry it. Our online store is always stocked, too. :D I use the Lady AMBP every single time I ride, but I definitely find it most helpful when it's hot and humid. You can absolutely use it everywhere- I love putting it inside my jersey and sports bra because it helps cut down on the acne on my back. I'm a big mountain biker and it's also great for preventing chafing in my leg pads. You can even put it in your shoes ;). In terms of the girl parts it does help A LOT. I was also surprised that the light fragrance in the Lady AMBP did not bother me at all. If you are super sensitive you can always use the original AMBP. You can even use it when your not riding to help with keep yourself dry in the lady parts and keep the yeast infections at bay. I know I always use it post shower!:D

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Brittany: I am making progress with my monkey butt. I found some lambp at an ACE hardware store and will go pick some up today or tomorrow. They have the lady version so I will try it. I do have sensitive skin in my lady parts (we all do but mine gets a little dry), should I get the guys version? I have not ridden in a week because it has been very hot and humid here in Omaha, NE. I wanted to let my skin heal/recover, get some ambp and some better shorts (not made of cotton) first. It seems the irritation moved from by butt up my entire crotch, I couldn't believe it! I applied some Leonard's Butt Creme as though I was a baby with diaper rash and it feels much better today. My first question is, should I get lambp or just ambp? My second question is, Why do some people use chamois butter rather than talc. I went to two bike stores yesterday and both stocked chamois stuff and not powder. One said, "we use chamois butter around here". I am starting to think that powder is for really sweaty situations and chamois creme is for friction problems. Can you help me out here? do we use one, the other or both? Dazed and Confused...

Navybeetle: I think that talc is connected to an increase in ovarian cancer or something like that...thus the corn starch for the women's version. You might want to do some research for yourself on that topic if you are considering using powders.

As for butter vs powder vs nothing...it's all individual. Find out what works for you. It doesn't matter what works for other people.

Cycling shorts will likely help. If you are not comfortable with tight lycra ones, you can look at mountain biking shorts, which are baggy. They do typically have lycra-type liner and chamois. The reason is to keep the fabric from bunching up as you pedal, like your cottons did and caused you so much trouble. Cycling shorts should be snug--if they are too lose, they bunch up and cause problems.

I'm having the same problem and accidently found LAMBP at the Tractor Supply store today! I'll let you know how it does!

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Originally Posted by copndoc

I'm having the same problem and accidently found LAMBP at the Tractor Supply store today! I'll let you know how it does!

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Lady Anti-Monkey Butt Powder is helping me. I put it on before I ride, front to back. It also helps out when landscaping or any other really sweaty activity. With the high heat and humidity in Omaha lately, I am glad to have it. I also put Leonard's Butt Paste on after I clean up. I kid myself that i am like a baby with diaper rash but oh well... Leonard's helps the irritation and burning feel better and a little goes a long way. Once you use LAMBP for a while, you won't need the Butt Paste. I have sensitive skin so this routine really helps. I spent some $$$$ on Pearl Izumi Attack shorts for longer rides but can now take short rides and do errands in my regular shorts. Good Luck!!!:)

This year I started using Chamois Butter before my rides. Most of my rides are in the 40 mile range and I have had no irritation. :)
It is much better to prevent the irritation than treat afterwards.

The butter is water based, not oil based (like diaper creams) so it easily washes out of clothing.

Definitely get yourself some good biking shorts. Also, if you are going to wear underwear, look at getting wicking underwear. REI sells some from ex-officio. I use them with hiking and other sports instead of regular underwear. Big difference!

I too am going to check out the powder. Always good to have a backup!