saddle issue/perimenopause?

[latelatebloomer]

Hi, everyone - I'm posting this on the open thread* in hopes of getting the most eyes and input ASAP. Suddenly I'm having saddle issues - pressure in the front and soreness after- no matter how I adjust my seat, and I think my TE butterfly, while second hand, would have plenty of life in her yet. I'm 48 and in perimenopause, and I'm wondering if it could be a decrease in my tissues' padding? Anyone else deal with this? I have also had some more weight loss in the past few months, could that change things that much? Looking in the Terry catalog, the Falcon is recommended for pressure "fore and aft." Has that helped anyone else?

thanks a bunch, me (& the DH)

*also because it involves the multiple topics of cycling, saddles, weight loss, health, shopping, walking funny, and bummer in the boudoir

[redrhodie]

Hi LLB,

Could it be you're overdue for some new shorts? I ride 100+ miles a week, and a chamois will start causing trouble after about 1 year.

[sundial]

Suddenly I'm having saddle issues - pressure in the front and soreness after- no matter how I adjust my seat, and I think my TE butterfly, while second hand, would have plenty of life in her yet.

As much as I like the design concept of the Terry Falcon, I've had to return it. I've never been comfie on any Terry saddle. The saddle slopes too much on the sides, causing my sit bones to perch gingerly on the edge of the slope which puts pressure on the inside of my sitbones.

I've been using Specialized saddles because they are mostly flat and have a gentle taper on the sides, which puts my sitbones squarely on the saddle and relieving pressure on my girlie parts. Also, Specialized offers many of their saddles in various widths. Just curious--have you used a Butt O Meter to measure your width?

I do think you may also be in the tissue thinning stage and you may want to talk to your gyne about treatment options to keep your tissues happy and healthy. I think several TE'ers have had luck with a time released estrogen ring.

I also agree that you may need to try a different or new short. Experiment with different brands and thicknesses of chamois. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out you like a different brand altogether.

[sundial]

You might want to check out this thread.

Also, Topeak offers this saddle which may help relieve some of the soft tissue soreness.

[Norse]

I also had saddle issues recently - chafing caused by my Terry Liberator, and I am also perimens. As of the last couple of weeks, I've been using the Specialized Jett. It is a bit hard on the sit bones, so you might want to consider the Lithia (sp?), but the shape of the saddle is perfect for the soft tissue (no troubles at all) and and chafing (chafing gone!). I think the problem with Terry is that they are too pear-shaped and a T-shape seems to work best for most women.

[OakLeaf]

Weight loss can definitely affect that area. That could be your culprit right there.

[Kano]

Weight loss can definitely affect that area. That could be your culprit right there.

Heck, why not have weight loss screw with my saddle fit -- it's affected the fit of EVERYTHING else!

Karen in Boise

[uforgot]

I hope perimenopause is not the culprit! After all, aren't hot flashes and mood swings enough? You're telling me it's possible that there's more?

[Miranda]

I didn't read the other thread that was posted in this link as a cross reference, thus sorry if this is any repeat, FWIW...

I have some perimenopause issues also. By some act of the cycling gods, my gyno doc, his wife (who's a doc), my PT doc (lady), and fm doc, are all cyclists. Nice to have some ears listen to these issues that can relate first hand. As the hormones change, tissues thin, and natural lubricants become less. And yes, weight loss decreases body fat everywhere... even "down there".

One thing the gyno doc gave me an rx for was an estrogen cream vaginal insert. It has an applicator like a tampon. All hormone rxs come with the scary side effects they must list (regardless of amount of hormone in it my doc said). One of the biggest ill effects a lady may notice is some irritation. Happens, you just stop. The cream is to help "beef things up" as he put it.

I have yet to actually use the rx, but did some other things we talked about. I started using A LOT of Chamois Buttr. Sometimes slightly insert a bit of lubricant like KY too. Got very tight shorts (down a size, my ones that seem to fit made a crease, not good), went with less chamois pad (less to crease), mixed up my riding position (hoods, drops, stand while riding every so many minutes, dismount at stop signs longer water break, etc.), worked on my posture/technique... and some bike fit adjustments. I also need a wider saddle I've figured out, working on that one yet.

Mine was awful... bleeding labia minora abrasions. That phrase should be something that any woman should never have to utter. It didn't happen again, but the doc said sometimes this type of thing can be an external yeast infection that cyclist get in the summer. Usually, that's an internal thing. But, I guess something with the heat etc. it can present itself like a saddle sore, and really may be part of an infection in the same area. Rxs can help cure it. That I had never heard of before.

Hope you get better. All I can say is that I'm happy to have TE to ask about these things myself, because the only advice "the boys" at the LBS could give was: "well ah, honey, you just need to toughen up down there". Yea... RIGHT!!! Bleah.

[sundial]

..aren't hot flashes and mood swings enough? You're telling me it's possible that there's more?

Yes. That's why chocolate was invented.

[mudmucker]

I just started using the E string about 2 months ago. I didn't want to have to keep using vaginal creams and inserts. I love the E string.

[latelatebloomer]

Thanks for all the input, it's been a big help. And some sympathy/laughs are always sweet. I bet my discomfort comes from some of both issues - weight loss and peri - so I will try some other saddles and get some new shorts. I don't think I fit into other brands beside Terry, but at will at least get brand new shorts, I'm overdue. As most of my life changes are good ones, I'll keep smiling. Some things about weight loss are wacky!

I love my doc, but she doesn't cycle or work out. She is a cool redheaded ex-hairdresser with tattoos who walks around her office in her bare feet on hot summer days. Motorcycle parked out front. If it were a bike she'd be perfect.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I'm not perimenopausal (did I spell that right?) but I have had a similar problem and for the LIFE of me I can't remember what they call it but it's basically 'dryness'. I actually found the chamois HURTS the situation!!! I have no idea why but it's like there just is too much down there. I also lost weight so I'm not sure why that would be an issue but it just might be. I also found if you tilt the seat downward more it helps as well as getting the right height. Mine was too low for way too long, and during the winter I figured out that it needed to come up while riding on the fluid trainer. Don't give up!!! BTW instead of chamois butter I use a Vagisil liquid (I tried a couple and this worked) and it has Vitamin E and aloe in it, it's a little more watery than KY but it is really soothing after a ride if you don't use it during (which I sometimes don't do). I know my problem was I would get two slits that lined right up with seat. I haven't changed the seat I have a Terry Butterfly Ti, it was the chamois (go figure!!). Hope you find relief!

[Jiffer]

This thread is very intriguing to me. I got a yeast infection shortly after I started getting more serious about riding again lately. Not sure if it's related, but I figured it probably was. Seems like this happened another time in the past, when I first started riding again. Today after my ride, I realized I was very sore in a specific spot down there. Stinging kind of sore to the touch. Usually my soreness is generalized all over and doesn't necessarily sting. So, I'm not sure if this is simply related to sitting on the saddle and rubbing that spot, or now I'm wondering if it's that external yeast infection Miranda mentioned. I guess time will tell if it goes away without meds. At any rate, it's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with issues! Some of your replies were very informative. I never thought about things thinning out down there in the future (I'm 39 right now) ... and that causing issues with cycling, but it makes sense.

latelatebloomer, I hope you figure out how to help your situation. I have sympathy for you! Sounds like you got a lot of great replies.