1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Lichen Sclerosus

Horse riding and LS - is there any hope?

Posted , 22 users are following.

Dressagediva
Dressagediva

Hello, I am a 48 year old woman who was diagnosed with LS four months ago, having been suffering with increasing symptoms for over a year.  I started menopause early, aged 43 and as a result of a routine blood test for this also discovered that I have an underactive thyroid so take levothyroxin daily.  I've been managing the LS reasonably successfully in terms of daily comfort and sex life but as you can tell from the title of this post, I am an equestrian and this is where my real problem lies at the moment.  I have two horses and until several months ago rode at least 6 times a week.  As my symptoms were progressing and before diagnosis I tried everything to relieve the pain - vaseline, feminine pads, gel filled saddle savers etc.  If I space my rides and only go for a light hack I'm fairly ok, but any serious riding and I'm wrecked afterwards.  I have just purchased some cycling shorts with what was described as a 'perineal relief' pad in the gusset area - hoping I could put these on just before riding and take them off again if they help.  I have also gone so far as talking to a saddler (male, so that was fairly embarrassing) about the possibility of using a gel pad with a hole in the middle on top of my saddle.  He is having a think, but there are lots of ergonomic issues with balancing on top of a horse which also have to be considered.   Does anyone else here manage to ride (or even cycle) successfully using remedial padding or accessories of any description or am I facing a life without horses?cry

 

2 likes, 74 replies

74 Replies

Prev
  • margaret53614
    margaret53614 Dressagediva

    Posted

    I am so pleased to have found this discussion. I am 65 and love riding. Had a two-hour jumping clinic yesterday and am so sore not sure I can go back for Part 2 today. I searched and searched online and was beginning to think I was the only one with this problem but was determined I wSn't going to give up riding. Have read everything here with interest. Since I don't own my own horse I think I will try the sheepskin saddle saver if I can find one, the creams, biker shorts and the dermal pads! Wonderful suggestions. I hope everyone finds some comfort so we can all keep enjoying this great sport! Meanwhile it's Sunday so few shops open - today will be tough....
  • margaret53614
    margaret53614 Dressagediva

    Posted

    Uh oh! I live in Canada and cannot find Aderma pads or even dermal pads when I google for Canada. Are they called anything else? Help!
  • margaret53614
    margaret53614 Dressagediva

    Posted

    Thank you! I guess that is a UK company - doesn't seem to supply here. I will be in the UK this winter but if they're only available by prescription I might not be able to get them there either. Anyway, I survived today's jumping clinic by borrowing a friend's sheepskin over-saddle pad, and will buy my own tomorrow!
  • Dressagediva
    Dressagediva

    Posted

    Update on the dermal (ulcer relief) pads - they are fantastic!!!  Feels a bit like putting a block of cold jelly/jello in your pants, but once you realise that you can ride without a tearing or burning sensation afterwards you get over it.  I got them on prescription from my GP and have been using them for about 8 months now.  They are quite expensive (£12 each I think) but are washable in warm water so two of them lasted  6 months.  I have been able to have 1 x 45 minute private dressage and hack 3 times a week with very little aggravation if at all.  I say little, because it took a while to work out which clothing kept them in place best.  Also the sheet size I use is 10 x1 0x 1.2cm (very important to get the 1.2cm depth not 0.3cm as they did not work) and then cut the corners off so that it resembles a panty liner.   There's always a workaround!  Also in the process of getting a handmade saddle which I hope will improve comfort further.  Can't recommend these pads enough to anyone suffering with LS or similar and wanting to continue riding.  Good luck!
    • UlliS
      UlliS Dressagediva

      Posted

      Hi.

      After a very long time, I have finally managed to get a test package of the dermal pad. smile It is unfortunately only 0,3 cm but is large enough to fold several times. Do you use it directly towards your private parts? The nurse who managed to get a package though it should be covered into some extra pants or piece of textile? I am confused but it definitely interesting. How does one get them to stay in place in the underwear?

  • annabel43
    annabel43 Dressagediva

    Posted

    I know this is a pretty old thread now, but I just wanted to say thank you for all the advice. I'm in the exact same situation with my horses and been seriously considering giving up the sport I love. I've googled and until now I thought I was the only one in this rather specific position. So nice to realise there are other horsie folk going through the same problem and coming up with some great ideas to try. I'm going to get myself some Dermal padding and see if it helps smile I hope you are  still in the saddle! 

  • Horsewoman
    Horsewoman Dressagediva

    Posted

    Thank you for raising this topic - exactly the position I am in and wondering if I will ever be able to get on my horse again. In addition to LS, I also need to use pads when I ride due to sensitive bladder - does anyone else have this double delight? The pads are abrasive, especially when damp and really not helpful for the LS! Not tried the dermal pads but wondering if they could be punched with holes so that the bladder pads can do their job?

  • judithp2045
    judithp2045 Dressagediva

    Posted

    Thank you for posting this - am a fellow dressage diva ... and am having two months off having seen a specialist at a vulva clinic. I'm on the high potency steroid (clobetasol) and hydromol for the general gloop. I'm 60 and i've also been put onto HRT (hallelujah on all sorts of fronts!). The HRT is seeming to help with the structure of my under carriage! And the gloop really helps.

    It was the riding that made me go to the doctor in the first place to say things are not right as i thought my symptoms were just part and parcel of the nightmare that is perimenopause and menopause - having been told to essentially put up with it as this is what happens when you get old.

    If i can repair the tissue that hasn't been damaged/fused i will start riding again and see what happens - I'll ride in padded short type pants (Derriere brand) as these stop the pants bunching up underneath and causing additional problems. i'll ride on a gel pad (icavallo) and might be in teh market for an adapted saddle so it would be good to share ideas on that. When i broke my cocyx Sue Carson made a super saddle for me but that was an age ago and she had a much smaller business/brand and could bespoke, not sure she/they could now. I did wonder about Custom Saddlery as they say then can bespoke but i wonder if that's more about knee rolls and bling?

  • andrea94845
    andrea94845 Dressagediva

    Edited

    I know this is a relatively old thread but jut wondering how everyone is going?

    Also have you found jodhpurs exacerbate the situation (being tight) or i it better to have the tighter pants so as not to have any potential bunching of pants when riding. I have gotten to the stage of avoiding any tight pants in everyday life but have till been using stretchy jods for riding. To be honest this latest flareup is really making me question if this will mean the end of riding.

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.