Boobs SOS

tgmichelleee

Ladies (and gentlemen too I guess):

I have a dilemma and need some help/advice. I came back home after running 7.5 miles to find that I have chafing bruises all over my breasts (especially under) and clavicle! :sad:
They sting, they're bruised, and they're not a pleasant sight :noway: :grumble:

I've had no problem using this sports bra in the past and I'm surprised to even have chafing on my boobs of all places (usually get chafing in my thighs not breasts... and I would opt for those instead).
I will say that this has happened a couple times before (one other time with a different sports bra) and it was when I did longer distant running but never to this extent. It actually looks like I was whipped or something (can someone say BDSM?)

Especially for the runners out there, have any of you had this issue? And if so how did you solve it or alleviate it?

I'm open to anything, especially because if this persists I don't think I can continue running (or long workouts)

Thanks!

mochapygmy

Body Glide is awesome! There are 2 kinds. The original and the ladies kind. The ladies kind is pink, scented, smaller and more expensive. :grumble: :noway: Anyway the regular kind is great. Chafing be gone!

AmyRhubarb

Maybe a better fitting bra? More support or compression or both to reduce friction. Body Glide couldn't hurt either. Ouch - hope you feel better soon.

40DayFit

Not a runner, but I'm chesty and know other chesty women who run.

First area to address may be the bra you're wearing. Loose-fitting bras can add to chaffing, as can cotton material.

You might also want to switch to shirts made of special wicking material rather than cotton. You're looking to reduce rubbing and to quickly wick away sweat generated while you exercise.

Anti-chaffing products like Body Glide can also be a life-saver--for breasts and thighs. You don't need to cough up extra dough for special pink fairy "Body Glide for Her;" the regular stuff will do. Petroleum jelly is the old standby, if you're counting coins.

As it happens, these points are covered nicely in the following posts, along with some suggestions for well-fitting, wicking sports bras:

http://fmyinjury.com/2010/09/25/ow-boob-blisters-hot-spots-are-no-fun-how-to-prevent-chafing/

http://www.fitsugar.com/How-Deal-Chafing-From-Sports-Bra-When-Running-1538709

Health_Temple

Wearing two bras, a regular one under a sports bra does better for me than just one, probably cheaper than the body glide

badbcatha05

Monistat and gold bond both making anti-chafe products, I have used both with success. The monistat was in a tube you applied with your fingers, the gold bond like deodorant. I believe both are less expensive options than body glide (which I've never used so can't compare it to the others).

Good luck- chafing can turn a good run into a suckfest.

Unknown

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greypilgrimess

Pretty much all of my sports bras start to do this after a while. If you've lost weight, or just worn them enough that they're looser, you're more likely to chafe. If you've had it a while it's probably time for a new one.

Bodyglide is also a lifesaver for chafing issues.

beautifulwarrior18

I am rather well endowed when it comes to breasts and a sports bra alone does not work for me. I put on a regular bra and put a sports bra on top of it. The regular bra helps to lift my breasts and the sports bra squishes them down so they really can't bounce at all. That might help with the bruising. For the chaffing body glide should work just fine.

Phrick

in - seems I need to invest in some Body Glide

SpecialSundae

Invest in a proper cup-sized sports bra. The ones that come in Small, Medium etc are useless unless you're pretty flat-chested. Look out for Shock Absorber or Panache Sport. They're a bit more expensive but it's worth it to avoid another incident like this!

JagerLewis

Sometimes my nipples would hurt from running. I then would either buy a new running tighter running top (with the built in bra) OR wear a sports bra under my running tank. If too much movement is happening in there, you will get chaffed. Once I wore tighter clothing, doing my long runs (15-26 miles) were never a bother to me...except of course my knees. Good luck to you!

BigVeggieDream

As a guy, I obviously don't know what it's like exercising with them, but in the past I've had chafing between my thighs. Particularly when exercising. I found compression boxers work really well. Perhaps they make something similar for breasts.

Samstan101

As others have said, a better sports bra may be the answer. I'm pretty big up top and use Shock Absorber. I've never had any chafing other than where the clip on the strap is which I solved by covering it with some Elastoplast tape and for longer runs use Body Glide on by shoulders. My boobs don't move much at when I run so not had any problems at the front!

khoshgeleh16

Invest in a proper cup-sized sports bra. The ones that come in Small, Medium etc are useless unless you're pretty flat-chested. Look out for Shock Absorber or Panache Sport. They're a bit more expensive but it's worth it to avoid another incident like this!

Yes, absolutely this. A properly-sized sports bra with encapsulation + compression is *essential*. I wear a 38H/36HH and I have absolutely no problems with bouncing, much less chafing, when I run. The Panache Sport is my favorite, but you could also try Shock Absorber (mostly wire-free but still very effective) or Freya Active (wire-free, wired, and moulded options).

Phrick

Invest in a proper cup-sized sports bra. The ones that come in Small, Medium etc are useless unless you're pretty flat-chested. Look out for Shock Absorber or Panache Sport. They're a bit more expensive but it's worth it to avoid another incident like this!

Yes, absolutely this. A properly-sized sports bra with encapsulation + compression is *essential*. I wear a 38H/36HH and I have absolutely no problems with bouncing, much less chafing, when I run. The Panache Sport is my favorite, but you could also try Shock Absorber (mostly wire-free but still very effective) or Freya Active (wire-free, wired, and moulded options).

I love both of these posts, as my weekend plans were to go to the specialty bra shop an hour away and look for sports bras in particular, now I have some brand names to start with. Thanks so much :flowerforyou:

Edit to add: I'm about a 36G at this point so I definitely need the support!

Okapi42

If you've never had a problem with that bra before, then congratulations: it's a sign you've lost weight! I've discovered that while you can put off buying new clothes for quite a while as you shrink, that doesn't apply to sports bras. I use them for both running and horse riding, and would give myself a black eye if I didn't keep buying new ones! Sometimes, two cheap supermarket ones worn together can work as well as one expensive one - especially because the two layers mean that the friction happens between the two bras, not between the bra and your skin.

tgmichelleee

Thanks everyone for all the replies, read them all and they've all been helpful!
Guess it's time to buy some much needed body glide and update my wardrobe -- a proper fitting sports bra(s) and compression shorts are definitely on the list to buy

tgmichelleee

If you've never had a problem with that bra before, then congratulations: it's a sign you've lost weight! I've discovered that while you can put off buying new clothes for quite a while as you shrink, that doesn't apply to sports bras. I use them for both running and horse riding, and would give myself a black eye if I didn't keep buying new ones! Sometimes, two cheap supermarket ones worn together can work as well as one expensive one - especially because the two layers mean that the friction happens between the two bras, not between the bra and your skin.

whoo hoo! guess that's always a good sign :P
And I'll definitely keep the two bras thing in mind since a couple other ladies suggested that as well. I knew bras were expensive, but $80 for a bra that I might once again be too small for seems out of the budget at the moment

NaeNaeJanae

I used to have this problem all the time!! When body glide wasn't enough, I would use sports tape right under the front bottom, center where it would rub the most! Works like a charm. Just don't use the tape on broken skin. Also, Champion has great sports bras with different levels of support depending on your cup size. Go girl!!

tgmichelleee

Monistat and gold bond both making anti-chafe products, I have used both with success. The monistat was in a tube you applied with your fingers

Monistat as in the yeast infection cream?
Never heard of using it for that, but then again I wouldn't be surprised. I heard it also works for hair regrowth, go figure lol

tgmichelleee

I used to have this problem all the time!! When body glide wasn't enough, I would use sports tape right under the front bottom, center where it would rub the most! Works like a charm. Just don't use the tape on broken skin. Also, Champion has great sports bras with different levels of support depending on your cup size. Go girl!!

Guess I'll add sports tape to the list! And thanks for the Champion suggestion, that seems more my price range

achbarrow

I'm super chesty so finding the right sports bra for me is hard. Moving Comfort is the best brand I've found so far. The support is amazing. No chaffing or uncomfortable rubbing of any kind. They are more expensive but really worth every penny.

AllonsYtotheTardis

Especially for the runners out there, have any of you had this issue? And if so how did you solve it or alleviate it?

I bought a better quality bra

3dogsrunning

I have good quality bras (Moving Comfort and the Lululemon Ta-ta tamer) but will still chafe on long runs. I sweat a lot too and tend to chafe in other random places too, I think I am just really prone to it. Getting into the bathtub after a long run is always a fun experience to find out what unexpected place chafed this time. The bra line and thighs are my main concern and I have pretty much got them under control now.
While Body Glide does not work for my thighs, it works well for my bra line. Vasoline is just as good.

FatFreeFrolicking

Invest in a proper cup-sized sports bra. The ones that come in Small, Medium etc are useless unless you're pretty flat-chested. Look out for Shock Absorber or Panache Sport. They're a bit more expensive but it's worth it to avoid another incident like this!

+1 for Shock Absorber. I'm a DD and this bra is a miracle.

Fittreelol

whoo hoo! guess that's always a good sign :P
And I'll definitely keep the two bras thing in mind since a couple other ladies suggested that as well. I knew bras were expensive, but $80 for a bra that I might once again be too small for seems out of the budget at the moment

Amazon! You can find several of the bras mentioned on Amazon for way cheaper.

fireytiger

If you've never had a problem with that bra before, then congratulations: it's a sign you've lost weight! I've discovered that while you can put off buying new clothes for quite a while as you shrink, that doesn't apply to sports bras. I use them for both running and horse riding, and would give myself a black eye if I didn't keep buying new ones! Sometimes, two cheap supermarket ones worn together can work as well as one expensive one - especially because the two layers mean that the friction happens between the two bras, not between the bra and your skin.

whoo hoo! guess that's always a good sign :P
And I'll definitely keep the two bras thing in mind since a couple other ladies suggested that as well. I knew bras were expensive, but $80 for a bra that I might once again be too small for seems out of the budget at the moment

Girl I feel your pain!!!! I'm a size 42F and I seriously cannot get over the sticker shock of the bras meant for my chest size! Especially when I'm losing a bunch of weight and know in a month I'll need to spend that amount AGAIN for a new one. Eek! I double up sports bras for now, and it seems to do the trick, but I'm also not running anywhere near as long as you so I can't say for sure how much it'd help in your case.

Spacegirlley

I had never heard of body glide until this post. After looking it up, I doubt I'll be switching. I use curash powder to stop chaffing, which is a baby powder. Works brilliantly and is 1/6th of the price of body glide. I guess the only drawback to it is it's not invisible like the body glide. For me however I usually cover the area with clothing so nobody sees it anyway.

3dogsrunning

I had never heard of body glide until this post. After looking it up, I doubt I'll be switching. I use curash powder to stop chaffing, which is a baby powder. Works brilliantly and is 1/6th of the price of body glide. I guess the only drawback to it is it's not invisible like the body glide. For me however I usually cover the area with clothing so nobody sees it anyway.

Vasoline is a cheaper option for Body Glide, it is just a little messier to put on.
I do use a powder when not exercising (if I am wearing a dress) but I sweat if off much too quickly for running (not saying you shouldn't, do what works)

tgmichelleee

Amazon! You can find several of the bras mentioned on Amazon for way cheaper.

Great idea!