I used the search function to find the proper thread for this question. Clearly, "not a dude board" is what I'm looking for. Direct me elsewhere if there's a better place for this.

I just bought cycling shorts, after reading this thread and the one about Chamoise Butt'r, in hopes that lubing up with either Assos, Chamois Butt'r or Bag Balm will help me NEVER AGAIN acquire the poison ivy type itch I just endured for a week -- swelling, spreading rash, itching-bottom-taking-over-my-whole-body experience. I assumed it was yeast (although it was never vaginal, just everywhere else in a 3 inch radius from there), but Gyn Lotrimin and then Monistat didn't phase it. My obgyn had a look and tested for EVERYTHING, but everything came back negative, even yeast.

I'm thinking now it was serious chafing with a nice bacterial infection of some sort jumping in when it had the chance. Does this sound likely? I'm 48, and have the thinning tissues, decreasing estrogen thing going, I think. I couldn't think about getting back on the bike for a week, and I want to be sure I'm over it (whatever it was) before I risk riding again. I was only up to 7-10 mile rides, and this started. Cycling shorts apparently make a big difference? Do I just spread the chamois cream all over the chamois and my parts? I intend to wash thoroughly after riding, then dry thoroughly, and as my obgyn had me do, lie down with a light bulb shining away down there to dry it all the way to toasy. Will I have to do this forever? Will things toughen up? I don't exactly feel like athlete girl right now....

I AM going to see about lowering the front of my seat a bit (it seemed very comfortable riding, though), slide it forward a bit perhaps, stand and ride for a breather down there every once in awhile. What else?

Anyone else ever have something besides yeast bothering them? I could use your collective wisdom here, for sure. I've been walking for exercise for a couple years, but my husband and I recently bought Trek hybrids, and hope to ride all over our gently hilly rural midwest together (having sex again eventually would be nice, too).

This got really long, but I think I got it all out there. Thanks for this great safe-feeling place to ask things I never thought I'd be asking!!!!

sign me,
Woosy *****