Help. What could this be? Sensitive question.

[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/showt...ht=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

[Grog]

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

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

[jesvetmed]

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

[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!

All you need's a speculum and a hand mirror....

[DirtDiva]

A hematoma, plainly, is a bruise... Anyone who's taken a fall, or had a brother, knows what it's like...

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