Lower body discomfort: Saddle issue or just not "broken in"?

[westtexas]

Thanks for the advice y'all, I definitely appreciate it. I'm going to try adjusting my saddle some and if not I guess I'll go to the LBS. Unfortunately, no women at any of the three shops we have where I live right now, so I guess they will have to grin and bear it!

[ny biker]

Are you using the saddle that came with the bike? It might be too narrow for you. You should measure your sit bones -- there are several threads here on how to do that.

[♥2CYKEL]

I know exactly what you are talking about. Sore smashed lady parts are no fun. Especially when everything else is just fine. I went through 4 saddles until I found the right combination, but that's because I didn't get professional help at my LBS. Somehow women understand better but maybe with this knowledge from the forums you can take it to your LBS.

Saddle 1. Came with my Trek, a WSD (women's specific design) it was okay.
Saddle 2. Much too wide for my sit bones. I would ache for hours.
Saddle 3. A much more narrow fit but back to smashing the lady parts.

Saddle 4. Had a fitting at my LBS with a lady when I bought my Cervelo. She suggested a Bontrager WSD RL InForm. It's what she used. There are different sizes and she fit me with it at the shop on my bike. Turns out I needed the saddle more forward to keep me from scooching back for comfort. Bontrager has a 30 day guarantee but I didn't need it.

It is so much better. I actually forgot about my lady parts and could focus on my ride for a change.

So, WESTTEXAS there is a fit and saddle for you. It's all so individual but that pain is the same for sure!

[emily_in_nc]

If your saddle does not have a cutout, it might be that you need one. I don't leave home without a cutout in my saddle. Otherwise, my ladybits get rubbed raw (major owies when I wash or pee after a ride). With a cutout, no such issues.

Good luck!

[♥2CYKEL]

Oh yah I forgot to mention my saddle has a nice indentation for the girly parts. I'm sure that's a big part of the comfort.

[westtexas]

Thanks again everyone for all the advice. I'm going to try and schedule a professional bike fit in a week or so, which is the soonest I can get to a major city where they have a bike shop that actually does it.

The saddle I have now is just the one that came with the bike and although there is a small indentation in it, it is apparently not sufficient.

In the meantime I've been reading up about proper riding posture and been doing more yoga in the hopes to build more upper body and core strength to see if that helps me maintain a better sitting position for longer.

[OakLeaf]

Honestly, I would find a saddle that you think will work before you spring for a full fitting. Even a slightly different saddle can radically change the way I sit on my bike.