sensitive subject, sensitive area

[Triskeliongirl]

Maybe neither saddle is right for you. If you are sure the Brooks is wrong for you, maybe you need something with a cut-out, but a narrower nose than the Liberator (in addition to some chamois butter). The thigh rubbing also comes when the shape of the saddle is such that there is too gradual a transition from nose to rear. Maybe you need to go to a store where you can look at the saddles, choose one with a sharp not gradual transition (i.e. not much saddle around the thigh area), narrow nose, cut-out, but wide enough in the rear to support your sit bones.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If i were you I would just try some sort of lubricating cream or ointment when riding instead of changing from saddle to saddle. A cream will definitely reduce chafing and friction. You said you were experiencing chafing.
I believe urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria getting into the urethra, and I find it odd to say that an ointment in the general area would cause such infections. Good diet, keeping the urethra area clean and peeing regularly is the usual advice to prevent urinary infections.

[Crankin]

The Brooks saddle also bothered me greatly. I switched to a Terry Firefly (?). I also use Butt'r religiously. It's never done anything but help, especially on long rides.
Clindomyacin is for folliculitis; although the bumps you have may look like that, it's most likely something else. I would try the chamois creme before getting rid of the saddle.

[short cut sally]

I have the liberator saddle on my bike, and I find if I don't use chamois cream on the longer rides i become "irritated" where the crease is of my thigh buttock area. I also shave and have to avoid shaving before going on longer rides which has also helped. But i swear by the chamois butt'r offered here. Also makes a difference on what type of chamois is in the shorts for me also. I've ditched the soft non formed piece of material to chamois that are different in thicknesses. All of the combinations for me has helped. But the butt'r is heaven. I've used it for a year now faithfully, no UTI's for me. But I apply to the outer labia and buttock area only.

[LBTC]

I use Jason Tea Tree Gel http://vitanetonline.com/description.../Tea-Tree-Gel/
for the red bumps I get in sensitive places....this would be after your shower instead of the astringent you are using now....I find it very soothing and it's made with natural ingredients.

I wax, not shave, and must always plan the wax for at least one full day before a ride of any length.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[SalsaMTB]

I use Jason Tea Tree Gel http://vitanetonline.com/description.../Tea-Tree-Gel/
for the red bumps I get in sensitive places....this would be after your shower instead of the astringent you are using now....I find it very soothing and it's made with natural ingredients.

~T~

Thanks for the tip! As I run out of products, I've been replacing them with more natural and I will soon need a replacement. I know a store right near me carries this brand so I'll be sure to check it out!

[horsemom]

I ride horses in 50 and 100 mile races as well as biking, and I have found a product that seems to keep my nether regions free from sensitive spots and rash. I shave and found that it helps clear up the bumps I first associated with that also. It is called Badger Balm, and the kind I use is Ginger and Lemon. It comes in a little round tin and fits in your pack or pocket and just goes on like a gel- is not oily or gunky at all. It can be found in the natural foods section of grocery stores, or in sports stores. Around here we call it "Beaver Balm" !!!

Laura

[LadyinWhite]

Hey Momof4...

I JUST put a terry liberator on my saddle on Saturday and noticed that I had no pressure on the girlie parts, thank god. the downside is that I felt my thighs brushing against the seat...something I didn't experience with the stock seat on my Bianchi .

I had the exact same problem with the Liberator. The constant brushing sensation of my thighs to the seat drove me crazy within a few min. I sent it back and now ride a Men's Fly. I keep thinking that maybe a woman's fly would be more suited to me b/c of wsd but.. I'm also of the mind, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. DH is eyeing it closely though.....

I don't know if one can say definatively that it's the saddle, the cream or the shaving that will resolve the problem. I think it'll have to be a trial and error sorta thang.

[Blueberry]

I ride horses in 50 and 100 mile races as well as biking, and I have found a product that seems to keep my nether regions free from sensitive spots and rash. I shave and found that it helps clear up the bumps I first associated with that also. It is called Badger Balm, and the kind I use is Ginger and Lemon. It comes in a little round tin and fits in your pack or pocket and just goes on like a gel- is not oily or gunky at all. It can be found in the natural foods section of grocery stores, or in sports stores. Around here we call it "Beaver Balm" !!!

Laura

I'm not sure I'll look at my Ginger and Lemon Badger Balm (which *I* use as lip balm....) in quite the same way again

I bet the healing balm would do wonders, seriously. It has essential oils, which they say have antibacterial properties (and it's worked well on cuts and rashes when I've tried it).

[horsemom]

Hey Ca_in_NC - lips are lips!!! (OK, can't believe I said that...) But really, it keeps the bumpies away! I put it on my face around my eyes when I will be out in really cold or windy weather also. Smells a little strange, I think, but it works!

Laura

[koala]

Hmm, it's tough because 2 things have changed at once. Might be the saddle, or it might be more mileage in warmer weather. It does bear some suspicious resemblance to a heat-rash.

I use chamois cream or butter religiously with no infection problems, and I ride a lot. So I would try some.

Do you have more than one maker's shorts to wear? I get a similar rash from some makers' shorts, seems to be certain materials irritate my skin when I sweat. The more I sweat, the worse it gets. I cannot wear Sugoi or Shebeest for this reason. I seem to have less of a problem in shorts with a higher lycra content. I would also look at the design of your shorts, and the weight of the fabric. The heavier shorts are frequently made with fewer panels, which can bunch in that area when you sit & pedal. Another reason I avoid certain makers, as this bunching area is where I get pools of sweat that turn into a rash.

[midlife]

Good topic on a great site (I find this is great, no males (I think!) sticking in their lewd comments!! - anyway, I find bodyglide is great. Had a pair of shorts that chaffed after about 50kms to the point of making me red raw -at one point it was so bad I took my arm warmers off and tucked them down my dacks Bodyglide helped and so did losing some weight

I find some of the 'women's specific' shorts can actually have a chamios that is too short in the front. Regrowth from a wax or brazillian is pretty horrible and I have to remember to loofah and moisturize (or just let it grow )

Sounds like some great suggestions here.

[momof4greatkids]

Fantastic comments, and as Midlife said, it's nice to be able to discuss a sensitive subject among females only (i hope!)

I rode 50 miles yesterday (my longest distance so far) What a fantastic spring day we had, too, perfect in every way, including a nice tailwind on the way back!

I'm really happy w/the Liberator saddle, no discomfort in the front like I had w/the Brooks. Sure there was some numbness, but not the unbearable chafing on the female parts like I experienced (albeit intermittently) w/the Brooks.

I used a zinc based ointment on the involved area only, and refrained from shaving for a day before. The rash is much better and I think the problem, at least for now, is resolved for me.

I was wearing Terry knickers, which I like, a lot.

Colleen

[Derf]

Hi Kelownagirl! Nice to see you over here in these parts.

Regarding chamois cream, the reason I don't use it is because I was advised against it's use by a fellow cyclist who is a nurse midwife, an expert in the area of female anatomy. She told me it is not advised for women because it leads to urinary tract infections.

Wouldn't that just clog the pores up even more? I dunno, I'm asking. I am going for a 50 mile ride tomorrow, I can try it and see how it works. If it makes it worse, well I will have learned something.

Colleen

I've been using Assos chamois cream for three years and have never had a UTI.