Training & Nutrition - Male specific help needed.

Alright boys. I'm new to Bike Forums and need a little help. I've been a multi-sport guy for quite some time now but after my early season race was over this year I wanted to do some more bike racing (the last time I raced before this year was with down-tube shifters on my ride). Anyway, since my last tri race I've been hitting the road pretty hard. Racing every weekend and taking only 1-2 days off per week. I've started to develop a small issue in the perineum area - a lump about the size of a raisin well under the skin. It has been quite persistent and doesn't seem to be going away. It started during tri-season, but has gotten worse now that I'm only on my road bike. It varies in sensitivity - some days I don't notice it and some days I do. Since my physician isn't a cyclist I've heasitated going in fearing the only advice will be to stay off the bike. Has anyone hear experienced this? Advice?

Oh - I've considered sadle and fit issues. My position is such where I am mostly on the sit bones and I just switched from a fizik saddle to a Selle Italia SLR Fibra. Otherwise, all systems (cough, cough) are go :o

Go see the doctor. Find a cycling doctor if you're not happy with the current one, but go anyway. I wouldnt mess around with lumps. Could it have been more irritated after the saddle change?

Too soon to tell if it is in response to the new saddle - only had it for a week. It could have been as a result of going from the saddle on my tri bike to the saddle on my road bike. I'm hoping the new saddle will help some.

Sounds like an ingrown hair forming a cyst. See a doctor.

Sounds like an ingrown hair forming a cyst. See a doctor.

Could also be a sebaceous cyst. These sometimes become infected. Having one near a pressure point (i.e. ischial bone or where nose of the seat contacts the perineal area) would definitely cause pain. A general surgeon or a urologist would be qualified to remove the cyst.

Had those, saw doctors, they said surgery would cause more of a mess than just leaving it alone. It's from a pressure point, in more medical terms a local skin trauma. Need a different saddle. Then it goes away. May or may not be infected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_cyst

Since I started washing my crotch with dandruff shampoo every shower, I've had no more of them, so I'm guessing bacteria are involved.

Thanks Fellas. I adjusted my saddle and now have a little less pressure. Put in 180 this weekend and everything seems to be going fine. Lump seems to be dissipating.