Cyclists - saddle sore

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Today I had to pull out of a cycling event I was really looking forward to because I have a sore/cut on my vulva caused by saddle chafing/rubbing.
I'm really down and a bit weepy because it hurts to pee, affects my sex life and stops me doing exercise I love.
I wear good quality padded shorts (no knickers) and my bike was measured and fitted properly for me. I know I should look at changing the saddle but they're costly.
I've actually got steroid cream from the GP because it's not healing. Not sure why I'm feeling so down about it but needed to moan. Should go for a run instead but I drank too much last night to drown my disappointment at missing an event I've trained hard for so I have a hangover to boot

I've never had this as bad as yours sounds; but I did find a really good quality saddle reduced discomfort hugely - although it did cost a fair bit to get one that made a difference!

Rapha chamois cream sorted my truly awful rubs. Costs £££s but I'd already trued cheaper ones with no improvement. But I also agree with previous poster saddles are also v important. I have had good experience with selle italia diva but I use a Brooks leather saddle on two of my bikes and luckily the Liv saddle with my new bike has been absolutely fine.
I never ride my road bike without using the Rapha cream as it was such a miserable experience having such severe rubs

So sorry - that sounds awful!!

If you speak to your local bike shop, they often let you test out saddles for a week or two before committing. This allows you to try a bunch of different ones and see what works before forming over for an expensive new saddle. I have a selle italia lady which I love. Bought it after using it on a rented bike on a cycle holiday and finding it amazing. What works will definitely depend on the individual person, so worth trying a bunch!

Yes it's miserable isn't it. I'm a road biker btw so probably the more forward position makes this more likely. I've really improved my times and got fitter so I'm just so pissed off to miss today but riding 40+ miles with this sore was an unbearable thought. Didn't want to make it worse. Instead I'm lying here with a hangover eating crap!
I'm going to stay off the bike until I'm healed and look at saddles. I've ordered some chamois cream too.

Some advice from the Olympic squad: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/15/team-gb-cycling-saddle-sore-medals

And from British Cycling: www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20140123-All-Cycling-Are-you-sitting-comfortably--0

Reading OP's situation thought about saddles with dips & holes in them. Only £8 delivered for one of these.

To be honest I probably switched to the selle Italian saddle around the same time as I started using the cream so not really sure which cured my rubs. Not going to stop using it though just in case

Poor you, I can understand your frustration. Others have given great advice. I would be searching for a new saddle. I find to much padding on saddle makes matters sore

No shaving at all helps a lot

Hope your back on the bike soon

I'd look at the seat height. I bought a new bike, and was feeling very sore, despite the guy at the shop setting it at the correct height for me. I started messing about with different shorts etc. Dropped seat post 1 cm, and it's back to complete comfort.

But you have to let your skin heal first.

Yes letting it heal then going to a bike shop to look at position and saddles etc
In the meantime I'm sticking to running!