my crotch has been injured from riding

[butterflysaddle]

Please, someone help me figure this out. I'm afraid to go riding again. I've only been riding for 6 months total, both mountain and road bike.

6 weeks ago I went on a 20 mile ride, then two days later a 30 miler where I got caught in the rain. Within one week I thought I had a yeast infection, and to make a long story short, over the course of the next four weeks I have been to two doctors (ob/gyn and family doctor), being treated for a yeast infection, a UTI and two bouts of bacterial vaginosis. Both doctors said this stemmed from cycling.

I have ridden my bike once in 5 weeks trying to get all of this healed up. I had put Monistat in my bike shorts before the ride and still had problems. Someone has recommended Chamois Butt'r. I also bought a $125 pair of Pearl Izumi 3D PRO shorts which I have been told helps, something about a nanoparticle chamois crotch?

My seat has now been adjusted downward slightly on the road bike. I don't think there is anything I can do about the seat on the mountain bike.

I have two questions:

- Is there any further I can do to prevent this from happening again?

- Won't Chamois Butt'r hold in moisture making me more likely to get a yeast infection?

Please, people, help me. I'm new. I don't know what I'm doing. I love biking and my crotch is afraid I'm going to have to give it up.

[Biciclista]

how old are you?

[butterflysaddle]

how old are you?

36.

[Biciclista]

I wanted to make sure you weren't having menopausal issues; so no, you're not.

All I can suggest is super good hygiene, and perhaps a professional bike fit?

if you're sitting on the wrong parts of your crotch, you're going to get hurt; that's the bottom line here.
Chamois butter does hold in moisture, but that saves tissue from being rubbed raw and irritated.

You also might get a different saddle. There are lots of good suggestions in the saddle threads. Good luck.
Be patient, others WILL comment here.

and welcome to TE btw.

[Zen]

I wanted to make sure you weren't having menopausal issues; so no, you're not.

Not necessarily.

[butterflysaddle]

Thanks for the welcome!

And yes, I have a Terry saddle. I have had several professional bike fits. Think I'll request another one and just be honest with the guys at the shop about what my problem area is.

What should I do about the Chamois butter/Monistat stuff? What should I be putting in my shorts?

[alpinerabbit]

Umm...

don't use too much "stuff" down there. Don't prevent with antimicrobials. Keep clean but don't use too much soap. It kills your flora.

Keep your shorts meticulously clean, this stuff needs to be clean so mine goes in the 40°C. That, or some antibacterial handwash there would not hurt. But not on yourself!!

Avoid friction (yes, pointing saddle down is good, but don't overdo it or you'll have too much weight on your hands; I assume your name impliesl you are riding a cut out saddle), and avoid sitting around in tight shorts much after you've ridden.

Restore your flora - lactobacillus capsules or yoghurt?

Peeing: someone I know who had recurrent infections was told by her doc to not go to the bathroom constantly, but wait until you're quite full, and then go - really flushes you out.