As to adjusting the seat, how should iI position it to help?
Thanks
With the pedal at the bottom of the stroke (ie at six o'clock), your knee should have a slight bend in it; something like 15 degrees.
It's easiest to get this right with someone else to check it while you're on the bike: too high and your hips will rock from side to side causing back strain and added wear to your nether regions.
I'd been riding with my saddle too low, although I thought I'd got it right, and when corrected I was pedaling much harder for the same effort. More comfortable too.
A saddle with too much padding will prove uncomfortable on a ride of any distance: your "sit bones" will sink into the cushioning which will put more pressure on your perineum!
PS Straight into a twenty-two mile commute: kudos!