Okay, so I started exercising in November. Since then I've had what I thought was a yeast infection. It's not. I've been tested and treated twice. But I guess it's from exercising. Am I the only one who has had chaffing in that area from exercise? The reason I ask is I'm skeptical, the doc said it could also be an allergy, I did change soaps at about the same time. From a clear ivory to a white ivory.
I started with pilates, which to me is a lot of stretches with legs pulled in and stuff. Also, I used to exercise in the mornings with just pj's. So am I alone with thise strange thing from exercise? I hope not, I feel like such a freak.
The doc of course told me not to stop exercising but to look at ways to protect myself and give relief. I know, I know, TMI! I"m sorry.
You're not giving us TMI!!! Pick workout clothes that breath well and wisk away sweat-cotton, etc. Change out of your workout clothes and bathing suits as soon as possible. Why don't you switch back to your original soap? even minute changes can really disrupt the "bacterial flora" (something my OB/GYN says) that is in your vagina. Also, eat more yogurt!
I was also going to suggest more yogurt. You can also buy a pill form of the culture that's in yogurt. I can't think of the name right now but I'm sure you can google it. I was having a lot of problems with this as well but as soon as I start eating more yogurt it clears right up.
I don't think you are the only one that experiences that.... I have terrible problems with heat rashes and chafing "in that area" - especially in the summer time, as I love to walk outside and partake in outside activities. I agree with wearing breathable clothes and changing out of them as soon as possible. Also, showering as soon as possible may help - that is something I am bad about; so long as I don't have anywhere to go the rest of the day, I wait until evening to take my shower.
When I get heat rashes and chafing, I use good 'ol vaseline and put it on at bed time. Usually after a few days, it is completely healed.
Also, you may need to be aware (if your doc hasn't already told you), that since you have been treated for yeast infections but didn't have any, you may be putting yourself at risk for treatment resistant yeast. Yeast live naturally in women, and if we get treatment for a yeast infection that doesn't exist, we kill off some of the naturally occurring yeast and the yeast that don't get killed off may be resistant to the treatment - then they reproduce more yeast that are resistant to the treatment. It is very important not to use any treatment for yeast infections unless the problem is actually diagnosed as one (or if you have had one diagnosed previously and are aware of the signs and symptoms).
Anyway, I hope this helps.... And no, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
I'm soooo glad I joined this forum! I always felt so humilated by the "chafing". I never told anyone, but I always figured no one else had it.
I treat mine with a diaper rash ointment called A+D Ointment. I buy mine at Target in the baby aisle.
So here's my question... Can anyone recommend some work out clothes that won't tear/rib/develop holes in the thigh area? This is a frustrating and annoying problem.
When I ride the bike for REALLY long bike rides, I get a swollen and chafed labia. I ice it (wooo!), take Ibrophen (advil) and sometimes use a lubricant just to keep everything moist and happy.
Did you have a pap done and it came back clear? No baterica?
Do not use an anti-bacterial soap! In fact, switch to a gentle facial cleanser (like Cetaphil) until you feel better.
Thanks so much for the responses. I've never really had any problems like this before. I remember havinga YI once in high school but nothing else so this is so new and frightening for me.
I'm going shopping this weekend and will look around for better workout clothes. I usually shower right away on in the morning if I've been working out but if I do another workout in the evening, it's not as intense(pilates) and I don't usually shower, so maybe I'll start doing that. I'm the same on the weekends as buckettgirl and don't usually shower until the evening. I have two small boys and the weekends are hectic but I'll make an effort.
I do eat yogurt but not everyday, so I'll eat more. I can't go back to my old soap right away, I found some that was close. We live in a very small northern town and they don't carry my soap. We are going to the city this weekend, so breathable workout clothes (I usually wear only cotton anyway) and my soap are on the list. Thanks again everyone! I'll keep everything in mind.
When I ride the bike for REALLY long bike rides, I get a swollen and chafed labia. I ice it (wooo!), take Ibrophen (advil) and sometimes use a lubricant just to keep everything moist and happy.
Did you have a pap done and it came back clear? No baterica?
Do not use an anti-bacterial soap! In fact, switch to a gentle facial cleanser (like Cetaphil) until you feel better.
Yep! I had a pap done in January and in December and they both came back clear. I hadn't heard anything but that's their policy, if I don't hear then there's no problem.
So also has me checked for diabetes because I guess yeast is common in diabetics. But that came back normal as well.
I don't use anti bacterial soap but I started using MaryKay products(on face only) in December, also that's the time I switched soaps. I'm only using MaryKay lotion right now though. So I'm thinking a combination of the exercise chaffing(open skin) and new products.
Hey Goddess Jessica,
I used to ride my bike 20 miles a day. Padded bike shorts were my best friend. It's got thick padding over all the private areas; don't worry, it's not like a diaper! You can wear them under shorts if your a spandex-phobic.
Here's a link where you can get some: http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catid=25
I've never gotten them there, but I thought you'd like to see what they look like. I paid 40 bucks for mine at a bicycle shop 5 years ago and i can still wear them. Well worth the money--no chafing at all!
Cotton is one of the worst things you can wear for working out. It doesn't wick away the sweat, it holds it. It is really hard to find good workout clothes in plus sizes, and they might be quite expensive, but you would do well to find at least one pair of yoga pants or shorts in a wick away fabric, like Dannskin.
As a temporary measure you can use a barrier cream, like vaseline (do you call it that there?? - petroleum jelly) and put it on just before you work out.
Try looking at Running sites or magazines for tips, it's a well known problem and affects large and small alike.
By the way, I love this forum, I now know more about Jessica's lady bits than I know about my own
Kykaree - It's from growing up around a nurse (my mother). We never were embrassed to share intimated details (but never with my dad!).
Hoodj - Yes, I need to buy a pair of bike shorts. I've been putting it off because they seem so expensive for such a thin pad. I'm like $40? How about I strap a pillow to my bike instead!? BTW, I just went looking on-line for padded bike shorts - $80! What the heck?!!
Last edited by Goddess Jessica; 03-15-2006 at 05:58 PM.
i am diabetic and i for the longest time had a systemic yeast infection. oh it was just non stop for about a year took forever to get it to go away. but then i began thinking i was getting them again, and doc said no yet here i was with a burning sensation in both my mouth aka thrush and pain down there in the privates. thing was i could not figure what was wrong since it wasnt yeast, i too said ok was it bath or laundry soap was i doing anything really different. well my suggestions i found were two that might help you.
first i dont know you but having a new intimate partner your body has to adjust to them, so if thats the case, it goes away the more you have contact.
secondly do you use splenda, i do and found that too much splenda at least for the non yeast burning pain in my mouth caused the same burning sensation as thrush, and when i stopped using so much only 2 packets a day or less now, the pain went away. i am the only person i know who has had that reaction to splenda but i have tested it and it is definately the splenda with me, might be that if its not just excess chaffing from perspiration. just a therory it could potentially cause a systemic internal burning reaction not just mouth if one can be alergic to splenda, i think that could be it.
Cotton is one of the worst things you can wear for working out. It doesn't wick away the sweat, it holds it. It is really hard to find good workout clothes in plus sizes, and they might be quite expensive, but you would do well to find at least one pair of yoga pants or shorts in a wick away fabric, like Dannskin.
As a temporary measure you can use a barrier cream, like vaseline (do you call it that there?? - petroleum jelly) and put it on just before you work out.
Try looking at Running sites or magazines for tips, it's a well known problem and affects large and small alike.
By the way, I love this forum, I now know more about Jessica's lady bits than I know about my own
Wow I thought cotton was good to workout in. I'll take a look around the city while I'm there for some workout closes. Thanks for letting me know.
I do have cream the doctor gave me to keep things moist. THanks.
Question for the ladies?
