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!

[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

[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!

[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.

[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.