painful hoo-ha needs help

[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.

[Zen]

I think the subject says it all. But, girls- I went on a 35 mile ride this past week end (with 8 miles of moderate to steep hills ) and the soft tissue on my unmentionables aka hoo-ha, as I like to call her....

I like to call it my "twinkie"

[Meg McKilty]

I like to call it my "twinkie"

Which, of course, makes me think cream filling.
Bahahahahahahahaha.

[madscot13]

Is there a point when you have everything adjusted perfectly that you can't feel that you riding with a chunk of leather with metal bars between your legs? I can't seem to adjust right no matter how hard I try.

[mimitabby]

Is there a point when you have everything adjusted perfectly that you can't feel that you riding with a chunk of leather with metal bars between your legs? I can't seem to adjust right no matter how hard I try.

take the box off your head.

you ARE riding on a chunk of leather with metal bars between your legs.
what would you like it to feel like?

[madscot13]

heaven... or does that sound like I am into S and M?

[sgtiger]

Here's a blog entry on this very subject that I found amusing and informative: Adventures in Hooville

The ice pack down the shorts thing, I can definitely relate to. I had to do that a few times before I found my current saddle. Ouch! And "Leather Labia" sounds like she needs some serious lube.

[teigyr]

I rode the Calif Aids Ride in 2000. I have a picture of one of our rest stops in Santa Barbara - a cyclist is standing on her head with her legs open (almost doing splits upside down) with a big bag of ice resting between them!!! If I ever hook up my scanner again, I should put it in digital format. It's priceless!

And leather labia sounds like yet another band. Either that or some super villain or hero.

[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.