{"id":38683,"date":"2022-09-30T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.siroko.com\/blog\/c\/?p=38683"},"modified":"2022-09-23T16:17:11","modified_gmt":"2022-09-23T14:17:11","slug":"guide-for-female-cyclists-dealing-with-saddle-soreness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.siroko.com\/blog\/c\/guide-for-female-cyclists-dealing-with-saddle-soreness\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide for female cyclists: dealing with saddle soreness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If we ask any cyclist about the most common source of pain, their answer would probably have to do with the saddle. It can be very painful and uncomfortable for men, but for women it is even worse because they sit and rest their weight directly on their genitals. Not only can this cause the same discomfort as for men, but it can also lead to other issues. If you want to know how to stop and prevent soreness and other common saddle-related ailments, here’s a complete guide, including causes, solutions and various tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We will divide aches and pains into four types, from most to least common ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Numbness, chafing, folliculitis and boils<\/li>
  2. Vaginitis<\/li>
  3. Urinary tract infection<\/li>
  4. Genital hypertrophy<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Numbness, chafing, folliculitis and boils<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Numbness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    64% of the competitive women cyclists in this study<\/a> experienced genital numbness. There are no studies at a higher level involving all types of cyclists, but the results are likely to be similar. Numbness is not dangerous when it comes to sexual dysfunction or urinary symptoms<\/a>, however, the problem needs to be addressed because it indicates that something is not right<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The most likely cause<\/strong> is a bad position or a wrong saddle, although it can be both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The solution <\/strong>is to have a biomechanical study done to adjust the bike to your fitness, flexibility and circumstances, and try different saddles until you find the one that best suits your needs. Make sure you do both of those things, because an incorrectly positioned good saddle is just as harmful as a correctly adjusted wrong saddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Chafing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Chafing in the groin and inner thigh are also very common complaints. They are not really a serious problem (unless you actually get chafing burns), but they surely can be very uncomfortable. If your skin gets hurt and bleeds, make sure you take care of your personal hygiene and wash your cycling shorts properly to avoid possible infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The causes <\/strong>can be manifold: wrong saddle, incorrect body position, too big or too small bib shorts, chamois in bad condition or an improper type of chamois, wearing underwear with bib shorts, dry skin, excessive sweating, waxing… or simply the fact that you’ve been on the saddle for 10 hours and everything has its limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Solutions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n