Baeyens et al (2002) Bicyclist’s vulva: observational study
It all begins with an idea.
This study from over twenty years ago by sports gynaecologists had 6 women, aged 21-38 years that were presenting a unilateral chronic swelling of the labium majus after a few years of cycling (an average of 462.5 km per week). All six had typical unilateral lymphoedema (five on the right side, one on the left) which was more severe after more intense and longer training. They noted that it was possible in these six women that lymphatic disease was there before (latent lymphoedema) but was exposed by lots of cycling. They explain that “Vulvar lymphoedema may be caused by a combination of chronic inflammation in the vulvoperineal area —very common in competitive cyclists—with damage to lymphatic vessels and repeated compression of the inguinal lymphatic vessels due to the curved posture of the cyclists.” The paper shows a photo of one of the cyclists and the swelling is very extreme.
Vulval symptoms in female recreational cyclists
It all begins with an idea.
Harrison L, Edey K. Vulval symptoms in female recreational cyclists. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2023;12:3446-51.
This study identified that 44% of recreational female cyclists have been deterred from cycling due to vulval/perineal discomfort. Vulval symptoms of pain, redness, chafing and numbness may be the start of more serious cycling related vulval pathology. Management advice including using women specific saddles with a central cut out, professional bike fits, using chamois or barrier cream and avoidance of pubic hair removal may reduce the incidence of vulval complications. The benefit of topical oestrogen to counter the effects of atrophy may be useful for the perimenopausal and menopausal cyclist.
Innie / Outie Concept
It all begins with an idea.
John Cobb of Cobb Cycles maintains that his internal research suggests that the length of a woman’s labia minora is a major contributing factor to saddle comfort. According to Cobb, women with longer labia minora, whom he describes as “outies,” tend to have more pronounced and exposed soft tissues and thus often prefer saddles with cutouts and wider noses. Alternatively, Cobb suggests women who are “innies” have less exposed sensitive tissues and thus don’t necessarily require a cutout and often prefer a narrower nose (Arthurs-Brennan, 2016).
Chamois ( Specicalized In house)
It all begins with an idea.
Specialized published a study ( not peer-reviewed) where they tested new Body Geometry Contour Chamois versus a previous Specialized chamois. Though all but 1 of the authors worked for Specialized, it’s interesting to see the results find they have done a significantly better job improving men’s comfort but the women’s difference is very little. Though they managed to reduce the peak pressure values by a similar amount for both men and women. The genital comfort rating had no improvement and sitbone comfort was on worse. One of their key summary points was the more research into female-specific chamois was needed ( this was 2019)
