Hannah Diney interview:
The 25-year-old has now called for more research into saddle design for women.
"I had to go through several surgeries to try and alleviate the pain," she said on Emma Barnett's BBC Radio 5 Live show.
"It's pretty frightening but at the same time I was having the time of my life and I thought maybe this is the sacrifice for sport that everyone talks about.
"The saying 'shut up legs' turned into 'shut up vulva' and I just thought that's how it was meant to be.
"Push through the pain to be stronger and fitter - but it's not good to ignore in this case."
Hannah Dines, who has cerebral palsy, struggled through the persistent pain for five years until it became unbearable and she was forced to undergo surgery.
"I was a beginner cyclist way back then trying to get on to the British squad and going out on really long rides. None of us knew what was going on," the Great Britain rider said.
