Riding a bicycle is a pleasant way to spend your free time, but also to move easily from one place to another. In addition, it is an excellent form of exercise, providing health benefits similar to those provided by walking, running, swimming or aerobics.
Prolonged cycling
However, there are people, both men and women, who avoid cycling, because they fear that it could affect their reproductive organs and, implicitly, their sexual function. Well, studies claim that there is a link between riding a bicycle and affecting sexual function.
According to Mayo Clinic experts, prolonged cycling is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, as it compresses nerves and can affect blood flow to the genitals.
The saddle – the connection between cycling and sexual function
When you sit on a chair, the weight is distributed equally on both buttocks. This alleviates the pressure exerted on the perineum, the area between the anus and the genitals. The perineum contains the nerves and blood vessels that supply the male and female genital organs.
On the other hand, when you sit on the bicycle saddle, you put a lot of pressure on the perineum, compressing the nerves and arteries and affecting the blood flow in the genitals. Nerve damage is the main cause of penile numbness in the case of many professional cyclists. These injuries, together with the pressure on the internal pudental artery, can lead to temporary or prolonged erectile dysfunction. A narrow bike seat can reduce blood flow to the penis by up to 66%, while a wider bike seat can reduce blood flow by only 25%.
“Most men do not know that the penis has a “root” that extends into the abdomen area and thus supports the erection. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that when a man sits on a classic bicycle, he is effectively sitting on his genital organ. In the short term, temporary numbness of the penis appears, and in the long term it even leads to erectile dysfunction”, explains Dr. Harry Fisch, a urologist at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
Scientific research confirms that cycling can lead to sexual problems.
During the last 10 – 15 years, numerous studies have demonstrated the strong link between intense cycling and sexual problems.
Norwegian researchers evaluated 160 men who participated in a bicycle tour over a distance of 520 km. They discovered that one in five men had penile numbness, a condition that lasted even more than a week. 13% of men (21) developed temporary erectile dysfunction.
Recommendations
You don’t have to give up cycling to enjoy a healthy sex life.
You can break the vicious circle between cycling and erectile dysfunction by adopting some simple habits:
- Give up the long and narrow saddle. Choose a wide bicycle saddle, possibly filled with a gel specially designed to alleviate the pressure exerted on the perineum
- Do not tilt the saddle upwards, as this position increases the pressure exerted on the perineum
- Make sure the saddle is positioned at the correct height so that the bottom of the legs are not fully extended to reach the pedals
- For additional protection, wear special cycling pants
- Raise the handlebars, so that you stay more upright
- While cycling, change your position often and take breaks during long journeys
It is recommended that riding a bicycle or cycling be part of a balanced fitness program so that physical exercises are not based exclusively on this type of movement. Alternate cycling hours with swimming, jogging or another type of movement.
Also, don’t forget that “good care overcomes bad danger” and that it is important to pay attention to possible signs or symptoms of early erectile dysfunction. If you notice tingling or numbness in the “intimate” areas while pedaling, it is recommended to stop and take a break for a few days. If the problem recurs even when using a wide, padded and well-positioned saddle, consider switching to a recumbent bike.
If you notice that the symptoms persist despite the protective measures taken, go to the urologist. This is the only one that can help you identify and treat the causes of the problem as effectively as possible.
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