Help. What could this be? Sensitive question.

[KSH]

OK, I don't know who else can help me on this one, except for you ladies.

All right, when I ride I put on body glide and butt butter. But I still seem to get a lot of irritation in between my legs.

When I'm done riding, the area when my leg bends (hard to explain), it so sore I can't even wear panties. It's right along that line between the crotch and the legs that I get really sore.

So now I have this bump in that area. It's raised and painful. Maybe an ingrown hair? But I make sure not to shave that area because I've had that issue before. It hurts to wear underwear (other than a thong that doesn't cover that area)... and hurts to sit. It's really going to hurt to get back in the saddle.

I had a similar issue like this last year, and I went to a dermatologist. He just looked it from far away and said it could be a cyst and I would just have to wait it out. Ugh. He made me feel so yucky when he barely looked at it, that I don't want to go back to a Dr.

All I know is that it hurts and it needs to be gone. I don't know how to get rid of it either.

I also don't know how to prevent it either apparently, because it's back even though I slather on stuff down there.

Finally... I haven't changed saddles or cycling shorts. Everything is the same as it's always been. And honestly, the pain between my legs is worse this year than last year. And it's the same saddle.

[mimitabby]

go to a doctor you know and trust (geez what a rotten experience you had!) I had a strange thing in my private area and MY doctor made me feel VERY comfortable about it. Do you have a woman ob-gen or GP?

[Starfish]

Finally... I haven't changed saddles or cycling shorts. Everything is the same as it's always been. And honestly, the pain between my legs is worse this year than last year. And it's the same saddle.

I know that others will have more to say about this...but my two thoughts right off the bat are:

1) If you have been using the saddle for quite awhile, I wonder if the support has compacted or broken down, and maybe you are getting more pressure on this area than you used to, because of it? (Maybe the foam has compressed, and you have sunk down on the saddle?)

2) You always deserve a doctor who takes you very seriously. :mad: Don't rule them all out...but, it is sometimes possible to have the doc call you for a minute or two before the appointment (or you can ask to talk to his nurse or PA), and make it very clear that you know this might be a small thing, but you've had a bad experience, and you need to know you will be examined well and given the time of day. :cool:

Good luck!

[KSH]

Thanks ladies.

Yea, the determatologist I went to was a complete a-hole. He was rude to me at the end of the appointment as well.

I have an OBGYN that I'm going to call and make an appointment. I just don't know if she will know what to do with this kind of problem. It's just hard when I go see Dr's that know NOTHING about riding a bike for 4 hours at a time. They don't understand what happens to a body when you sit on a saddle that long.

I really think this one is a cyst and not an ingrown hair. It's more raised and puffy looking. It also looks bruised and is slightly black. But I think that happened when I went down yesterday due to the wind blowing me off my bike.

[Pax]

Just for comfort until you get in to see your doc you could try some hot compresses. I had a cyst on the inside of my upper last summer and using those compresses felt wonderful.

[sundial]

And maybe a sitz bath might help relieve the pain. You can purchase one at a drug store or medical supply store. I hope your gyne can help. It's no fun having issues early in the cycling season. :(

[Blueberry]

KSH -

That sucks that you had such a bad experience. I had a similar problem, and received very kind treatment from an ObGyn. She was very athletic, so she "got it." I may be in the minority here, but when I've had discrete bumps, I've used acne medication on them. It stings for a second, but it pulls a lot of the inflammation out, and they generally heal on their own. Otherwise, I say see the doc you're comfortable with, and if she can't help, ask her for a referral with an explanation of your last experience.

CA

[Grog]

Here are three treads that I found possibly helpful:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=500&highlight=bartholin

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=15114&highlight=bartholin

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=15616&highlight=bartholin

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6806&highlight=bartholin

The word "bartholin" is highlighted in the threads not because I think that's what you have but because I knew I would find the threads by looking for this words. It's a common part of the differential diagnosis....

Good luck in finding a proper doctor. There must be a doctor-athlete somewhere in your neck of Texas, I would not believe otherwise.

Hang in there...

[KSH]

Hey Grog! Thanks so much!

I could relate to a lot of those posts. Seems like the area when I have this, is a very common area.

Mine is more like a blister.

I have an appointment on Wed with my Obgyn. Hopefully she can look at it and tell what it is. It needs to get fixed.

I'll also be looking into the Dr. Scholl's gel corn pads to cover it up with. Sounded like a great way to provide some comfort when having to sit down or ride a bike.

[ttaylor508]

I get a similar sounding bump (very painful) every once in a while in the same area. I think mine is a small cyst type thing (technical term) and it usually goes away on its own although it takes some time. I did show my gynecologist and she said a hot compress would help ease the pain. Mine show up for no reason either. I luckily haven't had one in about a year. Probably going to your gynecologist is the best bet for an answer although there may not be a treatment other than time to let it heal.

That must have been some wind that blew you off your bike!!!

[KSH]

I get a similar sounding bump (very painful) every once in a while in the same area. I think mine is a small cyst type thing (technical term) and it usually goes away on its own although it takes some time. I did show my gynecologist and she said a hot compress would help ease the pain. Mine show up for no reason either. I luckily haven't had one in about a year. Probably going to your gynecologist is the best bet for an answer although there may not be a treatment other than time to let it heal.

That must have been some wind that blew you off your bike!!!


Thanks! I hope it can get fixed up soon.

The winds were gusting up to 45 mph! And they were whipping around a high rise building, which created a wind tunnel effect. Scary stuff!

[redrhodie]

I had the same thing, which I think is a hematoma. Your saddle may be too wide in the nose.

[KSH]

I had the same thing, which I think is a hematoma. Your saddle may be too wide in the nose.

See, I was wondering that. Because I only get irritation on the sides of my legs where the fold is.

I'm not sure how much skinner I can get on the saddle/nose though. I'm already on a men's saddle that is pretty narrow.

I'll do some research on what a hematoma is.

[Grog]

A hematoma, plainly, is a bruise...

A few tiny (or bigger) blood vessels break, and a little (or a lot) of blood pools, creating a red/blue/purple/turning to ugly browns and yellow with time bruise. Anyone who's taken a fall, or had a brother, knows what it's like...

I'm not sure but in my experience (extensive with bruises, less so with cysts thankfully) they look quite different. But because you said it was bruised and slightly black I wouldn't rule it out...

[redrhodie]

I just re-read your post, and maybe you're ready for new shorts? I read somewhere that they wear out in 6 months :eek:!

I thought mine was a cyst, but it was more like a bloodblister. It hurt to the touch, and got better with time off the bike, then would come back with each and every ride. Ouch. The little bump was always there since I never took that much time off. It had color, same as yours. It's gone now. I got a new saddle, and that's really helped.

[jesvetmed]

KSH: I can't comment on the sore your have, but I will say that I trust my gyno / ob more than anyone. I go to her for absolutely everything, and she always has a great recommendation for a referral if she can't help. It's amazing what jerks most general docs and specialists can be, so it helps to have a personal referral from someone you trust that, in turn, trusts the other doc.

Good luck with everything.

[sundial]

I think there are 2 things that are most important to a woman--a good hairdresser and a gynecologist.

[rij73]

I think there are 2 things that are most important to a woman--a good hairdresser and a gynecologist.

Exactly... Good luck with the OBGYN, KSH.

[emily_in_nc]

KSH, please read my thread:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=21079&highlight=saddle+sore

Your sore sounds very similar to what I had, in the exact same place. It kept on all last summer and fall, and after giving it several months to heal over the winter, I finally took myself to the dermatologist. The cortisone shot provided INSTANT relief! It still has some purple discoloration but is flat and has no pain whatsoever.

Like you, I was riding the same (good) saddle and wearing (at least once I got the sore) very good shorts. Sometimes these things just get started, and take on a life of their own, even if you do everything "right".

I haven't ridden since the shot since I'm concentrating on running right now (plan to start riding again once daylight savings time is here), but I am hopeful my problem is behind me.

Please let us know what happens!

Emily

[KnottedYet]

I had the same thing, which I think is a hematoma. Your saddle may be too wide in the nose.

Yeah. Maybe you need a more "T" shaped saddle, with a narrower nose and more abrupt transition from sit area to nose. (I get irritation like you describe when I'm on a saddle that is too pear-shaped for me)

[aicabsolut]

Usually, it's caused by ill-fitting shorts (even just ones that get stretched out a bit, have weird seams, etc.) and saddles second in that location. I do have the same problem, and I think my saddle could be narrower there, but I have found no other solution among saddles wide enough in the rear. I do find that shorts make a HUGE difference (too bad my team goes with some cheap stuff).

Anyway....it is most likely a cyst (what most saddle sores are). Try hydrocortisone cream on it after your shower post-ride. Keep lubing up as you have been. Sometimes, I think a mix of chamois cream and neosporin does the trick. Some drying zit or razor bump treatments can help a little bit (like TendSkin).

If it gets bad, a derm can do the cortisone injection, and in some cases, it will need to be surgically removed, when the cyst is too deep or the cyst wall isn't going away. The latter treatment can mean a month off the bike. I have had some shrink to a manageable size or even disappear over time. You may be able just to treat it and take some time off and have it go away without doing anything else.

Clearly, your derm was clueless. Guys get these too, and it's not uncommon. I hate getting the run around from doctors. Hopefully you can find someone who can help you!

[Zen]

I think there are 2 things that are most important to a woman--a good hairdresser and a gynecologist.

Ummm...I've been known to cut my own hair :rolleyes: :eek:

[Grog]

Ummm...I've been known to cut my own hair :rolleyes: :eek:

Now if you can self-examine your cervix, you're all set, you need neither! :eek:

[jesvetmed]

That would be a good trick -- or at least an odd one!:eek:

[bacarver]

I had a sore area last summer that was really tender at first, then just irritating, and then hard. My family doctor blew me off. Totally disinterested. So, I went to my dermatologist. She is a caring, intelligent person and she took me seriously. Step one was a biopsy. Step two was a steroid injection. The injection didn't hurt like she told me it would. The hard bump was gone within 36 hours. Thank goodness for health care providers who care and are competent.
Barb

[Dianyla]

Now if you can self-examine your cervix, you're all set, you need neither! :eek:
All you need's a speculum and a hand mirror.... :p

[DirtDiva]

A hematoma, plainly, is a bruise... Anyone who's taken a fall, or had a brother, knows what it's like...
:D ROTFLMAO - I hear ya! I'm sure I have fewer functioning nerve-endings in my right upper arm after all those years at the family dinner table... ;)

[KSH]

Emily, read your thread. Thanks for that! I might see if I can get a shot like that. Although, I wonder if a Gyno can even give shots like that.

I wish I knew what was causing the issue... but I just suspect it is what it is. Ya know? Like someone in the thread said... you can have the right saddle, shorts, lube... and you still get it. I've done everything "right", nothing has changed and I still got it.

It's nice to know that it's not life threatening... although painful and annoying, I can ride through it.

After I hit up the Dr. tomorrow I'll let you know what she says.

[ttaylor508]

The bump that I had came on with out any reason either. I ride almost everyday, whether it be on my road bike, inside on my lifecycle or spinning at the club. All three have different type saddles, and I wear different shorts. So I still don't know what caused it. Since I had the last one, I haven't changed anything and it hasn't been back. I think sometimes these pesky little things just pop up and go away on their own. I suspect it was a spot that was slightly irritated (probably from cycling) and just took on a life of its own. Hopefully your doc should be able to identify and maybe give you some ideas to speed up healing or at least provide some comfort while it is healing. Let us know what you find out. Good luck!

[evangundy]

I would get irritation spots a lot from riding, when I let my "hair" grow normally. Stopped having those spots when I started shaving completely. But I hated the stubble (very course hair) so I started having it waxed off. Have never had another irritated hair end or sore spot since. I found a very good aesthetician who is very good at what she does, uses the best wax, etc. Other aestheticians come to her :-)

Just my $.02
Edna

[KSH]

Well, my Gyno thinks it's a cyst. But she's not really sure. And she said the only thing that could be done for it would be to lance it... aka: no riding for 2 weeks.

I probably need to get to a dermatologist now. Although, the situation is sounding kind of hopeless. Unless I'm willing to stop riding for 2 weeks (assuming it's not more).

I would hate to NOT be able to ride (and possibly swim- I bet I couldn't swim either)... as I'm 2 months into 8 months of my Ironman training. I also hate the idea of having this pain every time I get on the bike.

It's so odd... because on Sunday it was raised, swollen and painful. Today it's flat, not swollen or painful. It just seems to get irritated when I ride. Blah.

[Grog]

I would hate to NOT be able to ride (and possibly swim- I bet I couldn't swim either)... as I'm 2 months into 8 months of my Ironman training. I also hate the idea of having this pain every time I get on the bike.

Now is probably better than later...

But it sucks.

[KSH]

Now is probably better than later...

But it sucks.

But since it goes away a day after cycling... maybe it will go away on it's own? Of course, when I cycle it pops back up. Ugh.

I'm going to try some remedies to see if I can fix it myself.

[aicabsolut]

If it shrinks that much after a day, the derm probably won't lance it, but would do a cortisone injection if anything. They most likely wouldn't just lance it anyway if it's a bad one or very deep, but maybe send you to have it surgically removed (meaning 4-5 weeks off the bike at least).

I've tried using a cortisone cream, and that really helps get rid of the inflammation. I put on neosporin to help any open or oozing areas (sometimes mine comes to the surface and ruptures on its own). I also use neosporin with my chamois cream for a ride. It seems to help keep the thing from being reinfected.

All it takes to get one is to have some irritation enough that bacteria gets under the skin. Add in a little pinch from the saddle or shorts and it can get out of control. So an ingrown hair could get the ball rolling on a saddle sore or just getting a little raw from friction and moisture.

Seriously, find a good dermatologist if you're that worried about it. It may just clear up on its own or at least stay manageable until it decides to go away.

[ttaylor508]

Are you using aero bars on your bike or do you ride in your drops alot? If so, it might be the position that is causing a pinching type of irritation. Maybe try riding upright and stay out of the drops and see if that helps. Like I said, mine went away on its own and I kept riding, although I think I adjusted my positioning to a more upright position simply because it was more comfortable while the little bugger was still there. It took several weeks to completely go away, but knock on wood, it hasn't come back.

[emily_in_nc]

KSH, I'd urge you to find a (different!) dermatologist and see about getting a cortisone shot like I had. If the bump keeps sinking back down between rides, it is probably not a cyst, as a cyst wall would be there all the time if it were. The dermatologist thought mine was just bad inflammation that was not healing on its own. The cortisone shot stung a little, but it helped immediately, and I am quite sure I could have ridden pain-free the very next day. It's definitely worth a try as your sore sounds an awful lot like mine, and since you're training for an IM and can't afford the downtime of a lancing or surgical removal. My gyn looked at it when it was more actively swollen and thought it could be a cyst requiring removal as well, but after a couple of months on the bike, it didn't retain its cyst-like qualities, just continued to be inflamed, irritated, and discolored.

BTW, I tried to heal mine myself for months -- nothing I tried worked. I got LOTS of blood out of it with a sterilized needle numerous times, which would flatten it out temporarily, but it would just come back right after my next ride.

GOOD LUCK!

Emily

[KSH]

Thanks so much Emily!

I hope to get to a dermatalogist in the next month. It's such a trouble trying to get to one.

You drew blood out of yours. *Shudders* I'll pass on that. :)

Thanks again ladies for all your insightful input and comments. I really do appreciate each of you taking the time to help me out.