Bicycle-appropriate panties required?

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

I have recently started riding my bike around town again, and I have discovered something that I don't like at all. It seems that if I ride for more than 20 minutes wearing American Apparel boy-cut panties or a cloth pad, I get blisters on my outer labia! I'm pretty certain it's not herpes because these lesions occur pretty much exclusively while I am on a bicycle, and I've been tested in the past year for herpes and I am without antibodies for types 1 and 2, and I am in a monogamous relationship of a year and a half.

What I want to know is: does anyone else ever have bicycle-related vulva blisters? What seems to cause them more often, and what fixed them? My roommate suggests sport panties, but I want to see if there's a quicker fix at home. I just don't wear the offending panties on days that I bike (easy enough), but for IUD-related reasons I'm using cloth pads a lot for the next three months before I switch back to a cup.

Comments

[brooklebee.livejournal.com]

maybe it's your bike seat? I would shop around for a more comfy seat if I were you... blisters from bike riding cannot be too comfortable!

[nmbr5wthabulet.livejournal.com]

agreed! I'd go with something like http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9207800

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

the thing is, it doesn't matter if it's my bike, my roommate's bike, or the spin bike in our apartment, so i don't think a change of seat is the idea.

What about athletic undies?

[sprtwrid.livejournal.com]

are they like heat rash blisters? I get them when i ride my bike (but on my thighs). I have worn the boy style panties and i hate the way they bunch up on my thighs. Maybe try switching to a pair of regular panties and ride that way for a bit. It could simply be friction causing those bumps

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

they're like friction blisters. I've stopped wearing the boy shorts (and weirdly, it's only that brand that causes problems) on days that i bike a lot. Regular panties are ok, it's just in combination with pads that I kind of can't sit down. :(

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Get a recumbent. Sure, it's an expensive option but they are sooo much more comfy than a normal bicycle.

[thenuddpants.livejournal.com]

Have you tried sea sponge tampons? I recently got an IUD and am using them because I HATE tampons and I don't want to use my cup for a few cycles, just to be on the safe side. They are really nice!

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

I've been using cloth pads because I've been spotting intermittently, so I just kind of always need a bit of a backup. Can you do that with sea sponges? What are they like to change? Tell me more!!

[thenuddpants.livejournal.com]

Well, from the two days I've been using them on my really light flow/spotting Mirena-period, I really like them a LOT. You get them wet, then squeeze out the water so that they are damp, then insert them like an applicator-less tampon or a contraceptive sponge. (Though they are a bit harder to insert than an applicator-less tampon because they are softer). I had mine in all day yesterday, and have had it in for half the day today. The instructions say you can leave them in overnight... so I figure how is the equivalent time during the day any different?

You just kind of reach up and grab to remove... lol. Then you rinse it out, put it back in if you still need it, or let it air-dry. They come in a pack of two, and they suggest bringing a little ziploc baggie with you to put the used one in until you get home (much like with cloth pads) if you need to change it often/mid-day, but with my light IUD periods I've not needed to change it, and if I did I would probably just go to the handicapped restroom stall, take it out, hobble over to the sink, rinse it, and put it back in.

I really like them so far - even when there was barely any blood on it yesterday (sorry if that's TMI) it didn't hurt to remove, which is what I hate hate hate about tampons + light periods. And the BEST part - no dangly strings!

[cadetsandkings.livejournal.com]

p.s. OT but I am in love with your icon. :D

[thenuddpants.livejournal.com]

haha, thanks!

[mmargot.livejournal.com]

Oh man. I have been looking at those sea sponge tampons and holy shit I think those are what I've been dreaming of! I hate tampons and pads are pretty terrible. I was wondering, though, how do you clean them? Obviously rinse them out after use, but what about sterilization and such?

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

i've used a cup for years, and my attitude about sterilization is that it's kind of totally optional. The inside of a vagina isn't sterile at all, and as long as you wash your hands before handling the cup you aren't introducing anything into your body when you empty it out that wasn't there ahead of time. They just require a scrubbing between cycles. I imagine sponges are similar: you could soak them overnight in salty or mildly soapy water, rinse them out a few times, and then they're as clean as they need to be.

If bike shorts don't help, i'll be checking out sponges.

[thenuddpants.livejournal.com]

The Sea Sponge Tampons insert I have (and info from the website) says:

There are several ways to disinfect Sea Pearls™. You may soak them in any one of these mixtures below for up to 30 minutes or more:

1. A solution of ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide and ¼ cup of water. This will also re-bleach the sponge if it becomes discolored from use.

2. A solution of a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in a cup of warm water. Tea Tree oil is a very effective germicide and has been proven to inhibit up to 60 strains of bacteria, including S.Aureus. This will also eliminate any odor on your sponge.

3. A solution of 1Tbsp. apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water.

4. A solution of 1 Tbsp. baking soda in one cup of warm water.

5. A solution of 1 Tsp. Colloidal Silver to 1 cup of warm water. There is no pathogenic organism known that is not killed by Colloidal Silver in 6 minutes or less. Its use is also of benefit to women who suffer from recurrent candida (yeast) infections.

*Soaking a sponge in the Tea Tree mixture we mention above then inserting it into the vagina is a great way to get rid of an active yeast infection. For some women it can be irritating so use discretion.

[breesteinke.livejournal.com]

Dont wear panties when you ride. Seriously. Get a decent pair of bike shorts. They are meant to be worn without panties. Also chamois butter. Its a cream that's made to go on your bits and the chamois (pad) of the shorts. You can buy it at bike shops or if you cant find it, diaper cream or bag balm serves the same purpose. Also, I understand not wanting to use the cup or a few cycles. I had the same thought when I got my IUD but just couldnt stand it and lasted only a day. I started using my cup right away and everything was fine.

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

that was one of my plans for this afternoon, and one of my eventual plans for my stimulus package: lots of athletic gear.

[breesteinke.livejournal.com]

Good gear is essential and chamois cream is fantastic. I ride very long distances (1oo+) miles with no problems with the combination of the two. If you dont like the idea of riding around in bike shorts, a lot of companies are making cute riding skirts with the shorts built in now. Check out www.teamestrogen.com they have a whole section of skirts and skorts. They also have detailed information on the pads that are in the shorts they sell.

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

I had been eyeing a pair of sugoi tri shorts at the local running shop. I'm normally a 35-mile/week runner, but i've added some biking to not destroy my joints, and the adjustment is... interesting. I know i need the right gear, but it's hard to figure out sometimes what that is for me. I have no fear of spandex, just of buying stuff i don't actually need. Turns out I actually need some bike shorts, i guess.

[breesteinke.livejournal.com]

I LOVE sugoi tri shorts. I ride in them up to about 50 miles. Past that I use more padded shorts. Depending on the distance you are riding, tri shorts will most likely be sufficient. Sugoi makes quality stuff. Their tri shorts have a minimal chamois because they are designed to be worn during the entire triathlon so they dry quickly after the swim and arent too bulky to run in. They are very comfortable. I usually buy mine from sportsbasement.com because they have decent prices. I would definately recommend them. Just remember no undies and chamois butter and you'll be golden.

[clarinka.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the endorsement! I love sugoi running tights, because they're durable and feel good and their winter weight ones actually keep me warm in sub 10degree F weather, which is amazing. I'm glad for the rec on their tri shorts. My housemate works at this running shop that sells them, so i get a considerable discount on their wares, and it's supporting local business, etc etc. The vote of confidence is great! Thanks.

[breesteinke.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I also run in their tights and love them. I have some of their bike jerseys and swimsuits as well and all of their products are well made, comfortable and last long. Happy riding!

[h-dcos.livejournal.com]

Are you wearing bike shorts? If so they are meant to be worn without underwear to prevent chaffing. And many people also put some sort of chamois butter on the chamois in the shorts to further prevent chaffing.

I don't know what to tell you about the pads.

[cadetsandkings.livejournal.com]

1. padded shorts are your new BFFs
2. I used my cup the same month I got my IUD... you just have to break the suction seal before pulling it out. My doc OK'ed it too, so I wasn't just being a bumhole. ;)

[pinkdramon.livejournal.com]

Another (more expensive) solution would be to get a modified bike seat. Some companies make bike seats for women that are shaped funny & so apply less pressure on the vulva.

[ilikerivers.livejournal.com]

I get a bit of chafing when I horse-ride especially when I wear cloth pads. Some of the women have suggested Velcro instead of snaps to do up the pads, but I haven't tried it. Other options I've looked into are soft squishy pad 'butt-savers' to go on my saddle or padded bike or horse-riding undies. So maybe a soft cover for your seat? Or the bike shorts like others above suggested. I just wanted to add that a velcro 'snap' on your pads might help.