Saddle Discomfort and Lady Bits

[SuperTiff]

Hi all, I'm new here!

For what it's worth, I had a similar problem with the non cut-out saddles - after 2 hours or so, everything just goes numb - butt, nether regions, and it started to creep down my leg. I found relief with the Specialized Toupe saddle. It has a cutout and looks like the world's skinniest, skimpiest saddle, but the way the whole shell of the saddle flexes, it's incredible and solved my numbness issues....definitely worth a shot!

[Ramdoride]

I'm new to forum and joined specifically because of the sore girly parts. Last year did the Southern Tier trip with WomanTours and was in the saddle for 50/58 days. For almost all of those days (like many of my fellow travelers) I had saddle pain. I tried switching saddles (went to Serfas) mid-tour and it was no better. When I returned home, I tried Terry Butterfly, and had even more pain. Switched to Selle Italia and rode out the season with it, satisfied. This past weekend, rode three days, a couple of them hard and had to pitifully ride into parking lot. Post-ride, I hurt so bad my husband could see it in my face. AARGH. I fear that my Selle Italia is not the saddle for consecutive, hard ride days. I am thinking of trying the Terry Falcon X, as my sitbones are 140 cm. I am not a racer by any means and have been professionally fitted by my bicycle shop (and am comfortable in every other area on my Serotta bicycle).

Has anyone tried the Falcon? Thoughts? other suggestions?

[kadoozie]

I once asked a very close (male) friend of mine who is an ex-racer, "why dont women enter the really big bike races very much?"

Of course, he didn't have an educated reply like "because nobody makes the perfect saddle yet" lol, but instead something about "women dont have the same endurance/leg power/ blah blah blah..."

anyway, I wanted to contribute my saddle experience so far, I can use non-cut-out saddles at all, so bought a Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow and after a few adjustments, it's finally working for me

...now to deal with the chamois issues....

[Grits]

Has anyone tried the Falcon? Thoughts? other suggestions?

I tried the Falcon X. I ended up sending it back, but now I'm wondering if I made a mistake. I got it because of pain in the front, and it did solve that problem, but my back side felt bruised even after several long rides. I know that sit bone pain isn't supposed to be as much of an issue, but it was pretty painful so I sent it back. I am now trying a butterfly, and am waiting to do some longer rides on it before I decide.

[papaver]

I have a Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow and it's really great. No pain at all, even after several hours.

[Chandler]

I'm happy to see this thread is still fairly active...I am unsure where to turn for some info.
To make a long story short, I am a fairly new cyclist (started riding a little more seriously approx. 9 months ago). I have always exercised in one form or another, and started participating in sprint triathlons last Aug. Background provided to explain I am not a couch potato having suddenly ventured into endurance sports. . .
Nonetheless, two weeks ago, spur of the moment and on a slightly too large rented road bike (a really good one, but a 54 cm instead of my usual 52) I did the Death Valley Century. I had no idea I was going to do it, but did--and am still suffering the consequences. My entire crotch is numb. It doesn't hurt, it is simply numb. This numbness is most apparent when I wipe with toilet paper (and "enjoy intimacy", as they say in genteel conversation with my fiance). The inner tissue is not as affected as the outer. It had appeared to have improved just a little, but I tried to ride again (this time on my bike with a terry butterfly saddle) but even 53 miles seems to have set it back to where it was two weeks ago.
ANyone out there ever experience complete numbness? How long does it last? I assume I have caused some nerve damage; so I need to stop riding completely until it is no longer numb? This of course would be horribly frustrating as I am registered for my first tri in May, and the Sante Fe Century a week later, and am hoping to do a cycling tour for my honeymoon in AUgust. . .
Help!