OK, so maybe this is a topic that is a bit uncomfortable, but I’m going throw it out there anyway. If you are going to ride a bike, you are going to have an issue at some point from sitting on the seat. I know it sounds crazy and wrong, but you will get used to it, and I promise you that you will still be able to have great sex. I know it seems counter intuitive since I’m saying that you are going to get used to something that not super comfortable, but, no matter what it seems like, you are not numbing areas that make you be able to have a great sex life.
I’ve talked a lot to my gynecologist about this, and women who ride bikes and horses both have issues because of the saddle. It’s not normal, and it causes a lot of problems. Saddle sores, ingrown hairs, swelling etc. Its not uncommon and you will get through it. The most important thing is to take care of it and make sure that you pay close attention to how you are feeling. I don’t even know how many times I have had to ice my crotch after hard time trial workouts. That was just from being sore, and not even from the occasional saddle sore.
If the soreness is from pressure, than icing works well. I would do it ASAP after getting off the bike. The bigger problem is if you get an infection. If you have a hard swelling and it is red and thick, you should see a doc tor because you might need to be on antibiotics. Sometimes this happens with ingrown hairs and glands that get blocked. There might be drainage, and you should take sitz baths and soak to help the swelling. These kinds of infections normally clear up quickly after getting antibiotics. If it doesn’t, than you might have a more serious problem and your doctor will be able to help you. Don’t let them make you feel weird. Its totally normal and if your doctor isn’t sensitive to your issues, than maybe you need to find someone else.
A lot of women get swelling on one side of the labia. Its also normal. It looks different, but it is normal and typically the swelling will go away. Hopefully you will never have this happen, but, if it does not improve because of years of overuse, you can easily have a plastic surgeon fix it when you are riding less and make everything perfect. Surprisingly this is become a more common request, so find a doctor in north LA where they do a lot of these types of surgeries.
I do have to say that the main key to keeping yourself comfortable and avoiding the really bad issues is to spend a good amount of time finding a saddle that has the right shape for you. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are supposed to be feeling. It is either comfortable or not. We are not all the same, and you need to really focus and decide what is comfortable for you. Some saddles are really expensive and won’t fit right, some are cheap and are perfect shape. Price is not the limiting factor. If the saddle is not as expensive, maybe the quality is not as high, but you can afford to replace it more often. Don’t worry, trust the feeling. Go for the right shape.
It also helps if you keep yourself very clean. Part of that is making sure that you are out of your chamois right away after riding, but it also helps to have a good waxing regimen. I am a firm believer in Brazilian waxing, because it keeps you super clean and therefore no ingrown hair issues. I’m not such a big fan of shaving as the hair can irritate you as its growing back.
Also, in regards to chamois… Thicker is not always better. It seems like having more padding would be a good idea, but in practice, it sometimes causes more issues than a thinner chamois. Too much material can bunch up and cause too much rubbing and pressure. It also will hold more sweat and heat. I suggest riding the thinnest chamois you can be comfortable with. Pay close attention to placement of the seams…
My point with this whole thing is that you will be ok. Just take care of any issues quickly. Don’t give up on cycling if you are sore at first. You will get more comfortable and then you’ll be able to enjoy one of the greatest sports in the world. All I have to say is thank god we’re not men. I still can’t figure out how they can get comfortable on a saddle, and even though its been explained over and over, I still don’t get it…
11 responses
1 Simone // Mar 16, 2009 at 5:06 am
Great info! thanks for sharing it with us! I have been going crazy with my chamois; it is just too big! you are so right! Simi
2 mari // Mar 30, 2009 at 9:42 am
Yeah, I would definitely go with the chamois that is the lightest that you can handle… good luck!
3 SwimRunGirl // Apr 8, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I just want to thank you Mario for opening up on this topic!! Yeah, I’ve never had much of an issue with saddle soreness until I started riding 4+ hours. It’s become quite an issue and I’m glad to learn that “sores” can be a normal part of this that goes away with recovery. Well, recovery time is more spread out for me b/c I don’t ride everyday like you probably did when training but I use vasaline on these little sores. Seems to help.
Thanks for writing on this topic. I definitely would not have brought it up with Manny or Ryan at the shop!
4 SwimRunGirl // Apr 8, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I know you’re name is MarI!. Sorry for the dang typo!
embarrassed friend,
5 mari // Apr 9, 2009 at 2:59 pm
no worries:-) I’m glad the info is helpful!
6 Phil // Apr 10, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I totally agree with your belief in Brazilian waxing. Makes sense, plus that clean look is so hot! I know it must be tough to have a woman’s anatomy and spend hours grinding away in the saddle. I’m impressed at how far Women’s cycling has come in such a short time. You are a great inspiration to so many. Not only have you achieved so much, you are a fine example of how a woman can be super strong/fit and beautiful/feminine. Your insights and tips must be so helpful to so many women and even men. Keep up the great work!
7 Phil // Apr 13, 2009 at 8:03 am
One of the main cause of saddle sores can be from one’s own structural misalignment. I know that when I get a saddle sore, it’s because my hips, sacrum, and/or pelvis is not in correct alignment (confirmed and corrected by a Chiropractor) and so one side is higher or lower than the other and therefore uneven contact is made at the place where my body contacts the saddle. When I would get a sore and then get examined by my Chiropractor, I would find that I was out of alignment, I would get treated (a simple adjustment) and the problem would go away.
The biggest physical issue I struggled with for a long time was caused by scar tissue in my muscles caused by old injuries/traumas. I finally found amazing relief through “Trigger Point Therapy”. AMAZING! Check it out. Treatments as painful as Reiki, but amazingly effective. I learned to treat myself with a therapy ball which is similar to a lacrosse ball that I could roll around on or grind up against a wall with that was like deep tissue massage that I could control intensity, placement, etc… Made all the difference. I went from having my tight and painful piriformis muscle preventing me from applying much power to the pedals (especially when climbing) to feeling loose and strong. Hope this helps you and others you may work with. It’s forever changed my cycling.
8 Mandi // May 20, 2009 at 11:24 am
What medical proof do you have to state that “no matter what it seems like, you are not numbing areas”? The only 2 medical studies say just the opposite. Noseless saddles are the only proven solution. Your body was not made to have this much weight (pressure) on this delicate tissue.
Don’t give medical advice or play doctor if you are not qualified!
Slaimpour P, M Doursounian, J Catney-Kiser, M Adelstein, SS Gliolami, CC Wen, M LaSalle, CA Kim, B Goldstein, L Goldstien, K Hablow, S Viatones, S Levinson, RJ Krane, and I Goldstein. Sexual and urinary tract dysfunction in bicyclists. J Urol. 1998;159(suppl):30
Guess MK, KA. Connell1, SM. Schrader, S Reutman, A Wang, J Lacombe, C Toennis, B Lowe, A Melman, and MS Mikhail. Genital Sensation & Female Sexual Function In Cyclists And Runners: Are Your Feet Safer Than Your Seat? Journal of Sexual Medicine 3:1018-1027. 2006.
9 Marty Blount // Sep 27, 2009 at 7:45 am
Whoa, Mandi, slow down sister. Mari is NOT playing doctor! So maybe some of her statements are anecdotal – big deal. I learn from other people’s experience and profit from their advice more than from some unknown medical studies. She is offering experienced based advice to people who don’t know how to even bring the subject up. You could have brought up your differing opinion in a much nicer way. Like my daughter used to say don’t be such a meanie.
10 Ken Halal // Apr 21, 2010 at 9:40 am
Mari – Thanks for this “sensitive” article. Saddle sores are one thing I won’t miss for sure if and when I hang up the wheels for good. I used to work in a bike shop and getting women to talk about any physical issues concerning their cycling was always a challenge. In response to Mandi’s comment(s) I will say that my personal experience is that women cyclists are the most orgasmic (or are they all the best fakers?) but what would I know because I’m not a doctor.
11 Dr S // Sep 10, 2010 at 9:33 am
Medical reports say that the labial swelling can become permanent in distance cycling. I agree do not give medical advice without a medical background.
Baeyens L, E Vermeersch, and P Bourgeois. Bicyclist’s Vulva: Observational Study. BMJ 325:138-139. 2002.
Humphries D. Unilateral Vulval Hypertrophy in Competitive Female Cyclists. Br J Sports Med 36:463-464. 2002.
Leave Your Thoughts Here