painful hoo-ha needs help

[teigyr]

I think it's a combination of a long work day and the glass of wine I am consuming but I re-read "Painful hoo-ha needs help" and I swear it sounds like a dating advertisement

Then again I am still giggling over No No Good and Plenty. Now THAT sounds like a band!

[VeloVT]

I like Bodyglide! I actually bought some Assos cream (thinking I was moving up in the world), but Bodyglide really seems to work better for me -- it lasts longer (Assos seemed to disappear -- or at least lose its slip -- on longer rides), is way less messy to apply, and doesn't feel slimy or goopy or wet on my chamois (I put lube on my chamois rather than on my skin). And is cheaper.

As for saddles I think it's interesting how different people are. Cutouts leave me bruised and chafed (I fall into them, putting lots of weight on the area on the area around the perimeter of the cutout). My Arione, which one might think would cause uncomfortable pressure over a long ride, has proven to be quite comfortable even though I'm in a pretty aggressive position on my bike that naturally puts a little more weight on soft tissue. No more bruising and chafing. Trying to sit "lighter" on the saddle (supporting more weight with my legs) has helped too.

[Crankin]

Besides the saddle issue, you might want to get fit/measured to make sure you don't have a leg length discrepency. When I got my new bike last year, the new geometry started giving me severe "hoo-ha" issues. I had been riding the same saddle for 3 years, with no problems. After a lot of painful rides for almost the whole season, and buying 2 different saddles, I went back to the lbs and found out the leg discrepency was causing the pain on one side. I don't know why he didn't pick this up before, since I had a 2 hour computer/laser fitting, but he was upset I didn't come back right away. The lbs owner built a shim to go under my cleat and when I rode home the pain was gone.
I use butt'r liberally. Body Glide feels sticky to me. Rides with a lot of climbing still irritate me a bit, but it's under control. Some of my issues were related to menopause and I got that solved, too with a visit to the gyno. I settled on a Terry Firefly for my road bike. I have the cheap Serfa saddle on my commuter/erand bike (I ride my road bike to commute to work) and my mtb. I never ride more than 10 miles on those, so as long as there's a cut out, I'm OK.

[MyLitespeed]

I'm using a combination of Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter Creme and Chamois Butt'r and putting it on my shorts a few hours ahead of time so it can soak in. Then I put some on myself just before the ride. So far it's worked out pretty well, but sometimes on a hot or really long ride, I have to reapply. Good Luck finding your right combination of creme and saddle.

[lacyliz]

I thank you all and my hoo-ha thanks you all. I'm going to try the creams and get a meauring for a saddle. I also moved the saddle forward a bit (not enough to throw off my knees over my feet) so that I'm sitting on the wider part of the saddle...I will let you know. What a great forum! I didn't want to ask this to my LBS since they're all guys...

[Meg McKilty]

Then again I am still giggling over No No Good and Plenty. Now THAT sounds like a band!

A friend of mine in high school named it for me. I used to call it the No No Cha Cha, but James proclaimed, "More the No No Good and Plenty!"
It stuck.

[Deja Vu]

Hi Ladies!

I really don't have much to say about this, except: Stay mindful of any allergies/sensitivities to the materials of the chamois! Hooo-ha!

[carolp]

I refer to the problem by that old sailing term-- fire in the hole. Mine is pretty well solved with a new saddle-- a specialized, chamois butter and estrogen cream, but then I'm 54. A younger woman wouldn't have to go the hormone route. I am going to try vaseline intensive care as well.

[koala]

Assos specifically states that its product is not recommended for use down in the sensitive area. Chamois Butter and Friction Zone would be better choices as the ingredients should be less prone to irritate.

Vaseline is a petroleum-based product. Petrolatum should not be used down in that area either. It is impervious to air, so it encourages infectious growth, particularly as the temperatures start to heat up. It is also known to break down some of the materials used in chamois & in shorts.

Older riders probably have different issues than younger riders. For those of us who have gone through, or are going through menopause, the problem tends to be loss of lubricating ability. Estrogen creams make a lot of sense to try to restore the natural lubrication process. Younger riders should not be plagued by this and would be better advised to look to either the shorts (improper fit, incompatible chamois) or the saddle as the likely culprit of their discomfort.

[Andrea]

This is gonna sound crazy, but i've got something that works well if you're in a fix for some sort of skin lubricant...

Astroglide!

I'm pretty sure any type of "personal lubricant" would work, especially because they aren't petroleum based like a lot of lotions (petroleum based things break down latex in comdoms, and will do the same thing to your chamois over time). It stays on forever, and it's slippery as, well, astroglide...

Edit- I've found that astroglide stays slippry longer than KY in "non-bike" situations, so I'm guessing that it would carry over to cycling use as well

[KnottedYet]

And there is "O My" and "Jo Systems H2O". Won't break down your latex, your silicone, or your lycra!

[RolliePollie]

I bought some Astroglide today and I can't wait to try it out (I mean on a bike ride).

Why do they have to put the section with the Astroglide and other related products in such conspicous locations in stores? Good grief...after I picked the Astroglide up off the shelf, I looked up and the pharmacist was staring at me, as were two people in line. All 3 actually made eye contact with me. I'm sure I turned a bright shade of beet red as I turned quickly and got the heck out of there!

I've read several posts in this thread that say younger women shouldn't have the "lubrication" problem...but I'm 32 and I've gotta say that on the bike, I definitely have this issue. I wonder if it's due to BCP's. Anyway, all the suggestions here are great and I'm hoping Astroglide is the solution. I just hope I don't slip right off my saddle...