a um, personal issue

[bcipam]

My friends and I call that problem a "twisted sister". One reason why I hate to use the bathroom while riding... I just never seem to get my short back on right and everything gets "tangled" up and uncomfortable.

Just a thought, make sure you are wearing a good cycling short that fits properly. Do not wear underwear. Try using a cream or ointment such as Assos Creme or Chamois Butter to lub the chamois. That will keep the friction and irritation down. I also make sure before I ride to use corn starch baby powder "down there" to keep things dry.

Many cyclist talk about "seat time". After a period of time, everything seems to "toughen up" and sitting in the saddle for longer periods of time become more comfortable but once the rides get longer and longer, the problem may re-occur. It's just the nature of cycling.

A good saddle is helpful. I started last March (2005) riding with the Terry Butterfly and alot of my problems went away. This saddle may not work as well for you but some saddle will. Do some reserach. This website has lots of info re saddles and saddle sores.

[bikerchick68]

one more thought here... I went thru the same thing with my first bike... came to find out it was too big for me... so the top tube was too long... meaning I was really extended to reach the handlebars... and leaning reeeeally far forward, causing the same problems! I actually couldn't pee the first 1/2 hour off the bike... and then it hurt.

Have your fit checked... something as simple as a shorter stem, or moving the seat forward may help... just remember that any moves mean a change in postition all over, so have an experienced fitter do this if it comes to it OK? Good luck with it!

[Lise]

Wehn I did a metric century last summer (66 miles, for some reason), my female bits were in such pain. I'd never ridden that far before. I thought it was the pressure, and ended up riding about an inch out of the saddle when I could. That was hard!

I don't usually talk to my mom about female stuff, but she took up biking in her 60s, and is really knowledgeable. So I mentioned it to her, and she enlightened me about the friction. Whadya know. Makes sense. I bought some Aveeno Diaper rash cream. Basically, zinc oxide. Haven't done another really long ride (really long for me. Short training ride for many of you! ), so haven't totally checked it out. But I've done a couple of ride-around-Chicago-all-day rides, and it's helped. I put more on after I pee. It is wierd to be all greased up down there...but the pain was worse! The lanolin is a good idea, too. I use that on my nose when it's running, running, running.

[shewhobikes]

This is all good advice. Also be sure that you are sitting on your "sit bones," tucking your pelvis, rather than arching your back and mashing your girly bits into the seat. This is where good core strength comes in! That, in addition to proper seat, proper seat position, good chamois and the help of some chamois butter/lanoline or some such, should do the trick. I know, a lot of variables to consider, but keep trying!

[mmelindas]

Hi all you sore tushy-no-more gals!

What is causing the raw tissue upper b_tt crack problem I've experienced in the past? I don't have any pain really, but when I get back and am feeling a little "achy" in my very lower back, it is a totally raw stripe of tissue right at the base of my spine where the bottom cheeks must be rubbing. High up, not on the female parts, but like the upper b_tt cheeks are rubbing raw against each other. But then I've never ridden more than 8 miles, so it maybe could be worse if I ever did.

I have an "elephant" large cushy seat on my bike and I have never heard (until here) that you're supposed to ride "nudi genu" (latin) under your shorts. Is that the problem? I am so dumb about these things!!!

Guess I'll learn a lot here reading all these posts. Guess I am going to have to purchase a real honest-to-goodness pair of biking shorts and go "nudi genu" under them!!!

Melinda

[Brandi]

Going commando is what it is affectionatly called. And it can cause problems for some people who don't. I will wear underwear on occasion now. I used to all the time. I now realize it was the cause of some rawness here and there. The shorts you wear do they have a chamois?

[CorsairMac]

couple of things to think of Melinda:

Are you wearing bikie shorts? if yes, you might try chamois butter and see if it helps. It sounds like your shorts may be rubbing you raw.

I would also look into the seat itself...it could be too cushy and big and causing you to sit in such a way as to put pressure on the wrong areas.

the other thought regarding shorts: Could be the chamois is too thin or too poorly constructed to provide you with aquedate protection.

[Brandi]

Hi all you sore tushy-no-more gals!

What is causing the raw tissue upper b_tt crack problem I've experienced in the past? I don't have any pain really, but when I get back and am feeling a little "achy" in my very lower back, it is a totally raw stripe of tissue right at the base of my spine where the bottom cheeks must be rubbing. High up, not on the female parts, but like the upper b_tt cheeks are rubbing raw against each other. But then I've never ridden more than 8 miles, so it maybe could be worse if I ever did.

I have an "elephant" large cushy seat on my bike and I have never heard (until here) that you're supposed to ride "nudi genu" (latin) under your shorts. Is that the problem? I am so dumb about these things!!!

Guess I'll learn a lot here reading all these posts. Guess I am going to have to purchase a real honest-to-goodness pair of biking shorts and go "nudi genu" under them!!!

Melinda

First off having a really big cushy seat could be a problem too. If you are moving all over the place on a big cushy seat that could cause a whole bunch of problems. You might switch your seat. Ask your lbs about that. I had a problem with my hands going numb on me. (turned out my bike was to long for me my wrist were to bent) but I thought going for a cushier seat might help. At least that is what one very not knowing person told me. But the lbs guy said no that it could cause other problems. Lower back problems. Cause you end up moving around a lot.
Is this problem friction? Cause that is what it sounds like. I would use corn starch befor you ride and look into the seat things. Sounds to me like it could be unnaturally pushing your butt cheeks up.

Also as for everyone else, about the chamois cream. I used to get bladder infections a lot. My dr told to watch putting anything in that area that is not made for a women, I saw a advertisment a couple weeks ago on tv. It was for not sure the manufacturer I think it was monastat (sp?) they have a powder or something like it for area's that get chapped or rubbed raw. They showed the women putting it on the back of her knee. But I am sure it is ment for you know where. and it sounded very sports related. Anyone know about this? Does this not seem a better way to go. I don't like putting creams down there that could harbour bacteria. And vasalin was one my Dr said was a no no. Nanci you know a lot, any thoughts?

[madisongrrl]

I second what everyone here has said. Also, saddles are generally tolerable at best - especially if you don't have many miles under your belt. So once you get shorts and saddle selection issues squared away, slowing building time/milage in the saddle will take you the rest of the way.

Best,