Tingling sensation "down there."

[Gigi]

Last time I rode was Tuesday. Since Tuesday, I have been experiencing this constant, intermittent tingling sensation in my Labia Majora...had to look at an anatomical drawing for that one! LOL! Nerve damage? Anyone else had to deal with this? I imagine that I must have irritated a nerve in that area, hence the tingling. There is no numbness. Aggravating and annoying, and actually quite funny at the same time!

Thanks for any input on this delicate issue, as well as a tad bit embarrassing

[Biciclista]

sounds like nerve damage to me. Maybe you need a bike fitting and/or a different saddle? that's one area I wouldn't mess around with!

[Gigi]

Thanks, Mimi!
I don't believe in my case it's a bike fitting issue and/or a saddle issue...I have been professionally fitted and my saddle is one that I've used for a few years now without having any issues or complaints. I am wondering if the shorts I wore on Tuesday had any contribution to the problem. They are not the ones that I usually wear. I have two shorts, same brand and style, that I usually wear, but decided to give my other brand a wear that day. Hmmm.... I really feel like it's nerve damage...just wish it would go away. I am not riding today, thinking that I need to rest "the area," and that this tingling will eventually subside. Hmmm.... I really want to avoid having to go to doc, because I know what he's going to say, "Don't ride." Well, that won't happen. However, I know that I will end up going...I am not that hard headed. Thanks again.

[Gigi]

Sheila, I don't know what the heck is going on. Day 3 of constant tingling, and it is not subsiding. Well, I guess I better call doc for the appointment. Weird, weird... I am not new at riding. I've been cycling for many, many years, and this situation has never, ever been an issue. Frustrating...

[Catrin]

Have you changed chamois cream/butter?

[KnottedYet]

Thanks, Mimi!
I don't believe in my case it's a bike fitting issue and/or a saddle issue...I have been professionally fitted and my saddle is one that I've used for a few years now without having any issues or complaints.

----

I really want to avoid having to go to doc, because I know what he's going to say, "Don't ride." Well, that won't happen. However, I know that I will end up going...I am not that hard headed. Thanks again.

Saddles can break down over time. Perhaps your saddle is simply worn out after a few years of use? That coupled with the unusual shorts pushed your body past its limit?

Any doctor who knows anything is not going to tell you to stop riding, at least not for long (obviously if you've compressed a nerve you don't want to make it worse). Get a referral from your PCP to a sports med doc who works with cyclists, if you can. At the least a sports med who can look at the issue rationally.

[Gigi]

Saddles can break down over time. Perhaps your saddle is simply worn out after a few years of use? That coupled with the unusual shorts pushed your body past its limit?

Any doctor who knows anything is not going to tell you to stop riding, at least not for long (obviously if you've compressed a nerve you don't want to make it worse). Get a referral from your PCP to a sports med doc who works with cyclists, if you can. At the least a sports med who can look at the issue rationally.

Thanks so much for all your help here with suggestions and advice. I should have made it clearer previously with respect to the "same" saddle. I've been using the same style saddle over the past few years. The one I am using now is only 6 months old, but yes, the same style and model, which I love. I would love to say the name of it, but not sure if it is proper to name it here. I am going to give this situation a chance to "go away" through the weekend. If it doesn't at least subside, I will call my PCP and get the right specialist to see me. Thankfully, my PCP knows my history with cycling, and she understands and appreciates my sport. I will keep you all posted, and definitely will report back with any changes. It just amazes me that this all of a sudden happened. It wasn't like I was wearing an inferior short that was not made for cycling...it was a high-end pair of cycling shorts by a well-known company. Hmmm....weird thing. Well, still tingling here... hopefully, things will calm down "down there" soon! Gotta laugh at this!

[marni]

If you are certain about saddle, fit and chamois cream, I would definitely do two things.

1) make an appointment with the dr to eliminate any possible nerve issues or infectious or bacterial issues.

2) I would also consider it a strike against the shorts, especially if it is a pair that you don't wear often. Every brand fits differently and chamois thicknesses vary. Even in the same brand and style, the fit can be slightly different. If you find a pair/brand that works without rubbing, numbing, chaffing, chamois being too thick or not thick enough, etc. invest in a couple of pairs and figure that after a couple of wearing one or more of them may possibly cause problems. I keep a permanent pen around to mark an x on the tag of shorts that give me problems. Three strikes ( one for the shorts being faulty, one for the fact that I may have been sitting wierd that day, and one for an act of fate) and the shorts go.

I keep a permanent group of 4 good pairs of shorts plus possibly another 4 with varying number of x's on the tag. When one pair gets tossed, I go out and buy another. I could function with fewer shorts if I had to, but I tend to do a lot of long distance and touring so I need the flexability of not having to wash every day. But that's just me.

I also find that if I haven't ridden for a while, down there is generally a bit more tender and sensitive.

See the doctor and feel better soon.

[Gigi]

Thanks, Marni, for all your suggestions. I am not going to wear the shorts that I wore on Tuesday ever again! As a matter of fact, I received my new favorite style shorts yesterday in the mail, and I am sticking to this brand and style only!!!!! I am still tingling "down there," So a call for a doc appt. is necessary. Once hubby says to me to "go get it checked out," then I gotta go. He will nag me to death, but in a good way, just like I would if he had an issue that needed to be addressed. I have a "big" ride with my gang in a couple of weeks that I don't want to miss. You all know how that is. I don't want to be left on the porch while the gang is out riding ....Dang it...this is one weird ailment I got! (PS the location of this tingling is hard to explain exactly where it is, but it's located somewhere in the area where the band of your underwear would be and the tingling radiates to just below the pubis bone on the left side... Again, thanks for all of you taking the time to read this post and to offer your advice and suggestions.

[Gigi]

Saturday morning, still tingling...darn...no pain, though. Called doctor's office on Friday, she wants to see me on Monday. Everything has been checked on my bike, saddle placement, position, everything. My husband is adamant that it's not my bike...it's me. So I'm off to doc on Monday for sure. Truly, I think it's some freaky nerve thing that happened to me. However, again, will go to doc just in case. I will check out the saddle thread...may find something there. Thanks, Sheila, for keeping an eye out here for me and giving me suggestions. I appreciate it very much.
Gigi

[Chrissy]

Gigi

Found this thread whilst searching for info on the same subject. Two weeks ago did a 25 mile cycle, and noticed a 'uncomfortable numbness' down below. I then, foolishly, did a 50 mile cycle last weekend, and have been numb ever since. Have to admit that I am getting quite worried about it, as is doesn't seem to be getting any better. Am wondering if it is possible to do permnant nerve damage. Avoiding the bike at the moment, despite now having a new erganomically shaped saddle. Would be interested to hear what the doc tells you, if you didn't mind sharing this with us all. Chrissy

[KnottedYet]

Gigi

Found this thread whilst searching for info on the same subject. Two weeks ago did a 25 mile cycle, and noticed a 'uncomfortable numbness' down below. I then, foolishly, did a 50 mile cycle last weekend, and have been numb ever since. Have to admit that I am getting quite worried about it, as is doesn't seem to be getting any better. Am wondering if it is possible to do permnant nerve damage. Avoiding the bike at the moment, despite now having a new erganomically shaped saddle. Would be interested to hear what the doc tells you, if you didn't mind sharing this with us all. Chrissy

At 2 weeks of numbness, yes, you've probably done permanent damage.

There are surgical options to relieve pain caused by the crushed nerve, but not much for complete failure of the nerve (numbness).

Rather than waiting for someone else to come back from her doctor's appt for her own issue, I highly recommend you go to your own doctor as soon as possible.

ANY numbness or neural symptoms are a sign that something is wrong with the rider/bike combination. Bike fit and assessment are called for. Numbness lasting more than 24 hours is a sign that something is seriously wrong and needs prompt medical attention.

[Gigi]

Hi! It's me again! Yup, still tingling here...calling at 8:30 for my appointment. I have no numbness, just tingling. I will definitely report back on the issue when I get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, my PCP, who I love, love, is on vacation and I will be seeing someone else. However, I can't wait for her to come back next month. Stay tuned...
Gigi

[Biciclista]

we name names here when it comes to saddles! have you seen our saddle thread? Our favorites, the ones we hate... all named. Good luck at the doctor's office.

[Gigi]

My PCP is on vacation...I have an appt. tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Stay tuned.
Gigi