saddle "issue"

[dreadpirate]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum, I've been cycling for a couple years now. I train for triathlon, so I do ~100 miles a week, give or take.

I have a question, and I'm hoping someone out here can just reassure me that this is not too weird.

I have a lump that has been developing in my crotch. I joke that it's like an undescended testicle, but it's smaller than that - about 2 jellybean's worth. It's hard. It has been there for a couple of months, it isn't going away on its own. Longer rides seem to bruise all the tissue around it. It does seem to change size a little bit, it has gotten a little bigger since I first noticed it in July.

It appeared pretty suddenly - I first noticed it when I climbed onto the saddle for a race - it felt like there was something in my shorts.

I'm hoping it's a saddle issue gone horribly wrong, but I'm just wondering if there is someone else out there who has dealt with a similar issue?

I see the doc tomorrow, I just made an appointment with a GP because I thought this should be seen.

Has anyone had a similar issue? Is this common?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[CycleTherapy]

dreadpirate---

google bartholin's gland/cyst. Your situation sounds quite similar to my experience. Bartholin's cyst is a pretty common aflliction, but can be quite painful if it should abcess.

There have been many past threads regarding this issue. You can use the TE search function to pull the past threads.

Hope this kind of helps.

[dreadpirate]

Oh wow.

OK. so, will the doc just go in there and drain that puppy? there's no open sores, just a lump. An unfriendly lump. How is a sitzbath supposed to help a lump?

Could it be related to other issues I seem to be having (discharge, weight I can't shake)? Is it hormonal?

Gaa! I know I'm asking way too many questions...

[CycleTherapy]

I can only relay my experience. I went to my Ob/Gyn and he diagnosed the bartholin's cyst. We opted to do nothing unless it became a problem ie. painful or showed signs of infection/abcess. I had it for a REALLY long time. Last Dec. or so, without any new symptoms, I opted to have it drained. I was just tired of it being there and worrying what it would eventually do.

The draining procedure was no big deal, in-office and completed in just a few minutes. It did not require "numbing" or anything...there was an initial prick and then nothing. I did opt to have the fluid sent to the lab, just to make sure everything was a-okay.

I was very happy that I had it drained, it gave me back some "peace of mind". There is no guarantee that it will not return again, but so far so good.

If I were you, I'd just have it checked out to be certain that is what it is.

[dreadpirate]

Yes, I have a doc's appointment tomorrow to eliminate all scary things.

I think if that's what it is, I'm ready to have it drained myself. It's in an unfriendly spot, and it's not going away on its own.

I've tried a lot of things - new shorts help a little, chamois butter helps a little. Applying cold seems to help a little, heat does not. Long rides just bruise all the tissues around it. Not riding does not make it go away.

Thanks for sharing your experience with me. it's taken awhile for me to even talk about it, it's so weird and uh, personal.

[CycleTherapy]

Good for you for getting it checked out. I'd hate for you to use my experience as a diagnosis. And yes, I hear you, it is weird and personal and a bit scary. Anytime a lump appears where it once was not is concerning. I think you'll feel a ton better just getting the reassurance that all is okay. (not to mention, getting back on the saddle in comfort !).