For Females Only: Chaffing on Bike

Have you had a bike fit? If so have you discussed this issue with your bike fitter? I know most are guys so it is a bit awkward but do discuss it with him/her. If you haven't had a fit get one.

Is it your soft tissue or what that gets chaffed? Inner thigh or where? More so when in aero?

I use bag balm now more than chamois butt'r as it is way cheaper and works well. I often use both on long rides. If you don't rotate your hips it can make them move slightly that can cause issues.

Shorts can make a difference as can saddle.

Do you ride a saddle with cut out?

I switched to a Sella SMP saddle about 6 months ago with a huge cut out so none of my soft tissue touches the saddle and my issue was solved. For us women soft tissue gets smooched when riding in aero so often if that is  the issue you can ride more comfortable upright on  a road bike or  on bull horns of tri bike.

It takes awhile to adjust as you must sit on your sitz bones and it can be a tough time while adjusting. I and another women I know that have this saddle get saddle sores..mine are blocked sweat glands that are annoying but not like my other problem.   

I have found that using a harder saddle actually helped. The soft girly bits would get smooshed and that would cause general surface soreness on the bits and also the pubic bone.

I bought a Specialized Roubaix bike (men's version) but ordered the Ruby (girl version) seat. It is exactly the same width measurement as the men's, BUT the shape of the saddle and the cutouts is different. My hubby and I have the exact same bike except for the seat (same size even) and I can easily tell the different blindfolded sitting on the seats.

If your bits are smooshed, try a different saddle, girl specific. If things are actually rubbing, frictionwise, you may need a different saddle position, your shorts may not fit properly (too big? moving around too much in them?) Or you may need more chamois butter. Sounds like the bag balm might work for ya if some of the others sting. You could always try the Assos stuff, it's supposed to be tingly! Spendy though.

Good luck. Nothing sux on a bike ride more than an unhappy keister.  Plus, if your bits aren't happy no other 'happy' is gonna happen later. And that's no good either.

Is the photo in the OP the guy from the Integrity Interactive courses at work?

For the girly bits, you may want to lube outside (bag balm, vasaline, chamois butter) and inside (astroglide, k-y) but bottom line (HA, pun intended) is that you don't want your insides rubbing so start looking for a new seat.

My bike's stock seat was raised in the center (where most seats are cutout) which was horrible.  I now have a Terry butterfly which worked well until I got a new bike fit.  My bike fitter suggested that a less padded seat would actually be more comfy because it wouldn't be as wide.  Good luck!

Ummmm, yeah, I'm gonna need you to come in on Saturday.....and that's not a half day.

I'm going to be in the minority but I'm not a fan of the cut-outs in saddles. But a question for the OP, is the problem soft tissue or the red area on the outside like you put on the painting?

I had actually switched to a men's saddle for awhile because the nose was shorter and narrower. I have narrow-medium sit bones and women's saddles are usually too wide to be comfortable for me. I just got a new Trek WSD saddle that is matched to the size of my sit bones and has an indention in the middle for soft tissue relief. I just put it on my bike on Wednesday and haven't actually tried it yet but, in theory, it should be comfortable. (if it's set up right)

disclaimer: I work at a Trek dealer but this women's saddle is brand new in their product line and I haven't tried it yet.

changing saddles fixed this problem for me - I have the Terry Damselfly and love it.  I have lasered most of the area and keep the landing strip closely trimmed.  Body glide is the final step that has kept my girlie parts happy.

Prior to changing saddles I had the same problem.   

After years of never having an issue with this, I started to have problems this season and also had to switch saddles. I had a female saddle (like the butterfly) that was too wide for me so it was chafing the same place you're having issues with and i ended up with a saddle sore right before my oly (that was fun). I switched to the Damselfly and while getting used to the firmness is taking some time, the narrower profile is so much better.

I echo the recommendations on Aquaphor. I love this stuff and use it for biking and running. It works great and there's nothing in it that can irritate you. Also, the brazilian is by far the way to go as well, it will minimize chafing tremendously.

are we talking a&d ointment or cream?

 i think i'm getting my first saddle sore or blocked sweat gland or something. small, but annoying  nonetheless.

careful with the brazillian as i found out quickly that i'm prone to ingrown hairs and the waxing down there began all my issues with my rides becoming uncomfortable.

i'm going to also recommend desoto 400 mile bike shorts. although it won't alleviate your issue...all the creams, seats and proper fit suggested, will help with that....they are another option and should help. padding isn't too thick and they're way more comfortable than any other short i've ridden in...in fact i probably won't ever ride in anything else...i have 2 pair, i love them so much.

anyway...just another suggestion as all the creams/seats and fitting has already been said.

I would be careful with the witch hazel.  It's very drying (used in some acne products) and may make it worse...

A cautionary note to echo a previous poster about the waxing/shaving.  I ended up with a saddle sore that I couldn't clear up for months - although I was also wearing underwear on the bike.  So it was probably more a case of chafing. *laughing*  It does make it more comfortable though.

I would maybe try a different saddle - or go back to the previous one?  Or even move it forward and down so that you're sitting on your sit bones as opposed to balancing on your pelvic bone between your legs? (The term "taint" was thrown around when I asked about posture a little while ago...) 

I use a really cheap Bontrager saddle - but it works for me... 

P.S. I LOVE Office Space!!! 

"The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care."

I would definitely try a new saddle, maybe a narrower one?

Try Bodyglide or Aquaphor for the chafing during your ride (I actually use a combo), and then diaper rash creme afterwards (post shower).

I would also recommend getting a mild astringent or witch hazel and wiping down the "perimeter" area after your shower (i.e. not the centermost interior bits, but everything else).

One other thought would be nothing at all (although if you've tried that, never mind). It depends on my bike and my shorts, but in some cases, I find that NOTHING is better than using something.