Health Fitness Directory

ED

Cycling is an international sport as well as a pleasurable exercise. Many people around the world enjoy it as a past time, a simply a way to travel from A to B or , a  sporting event like the internationally renowned Tour de France.

As far as health and danger consequences are concerned, most people would just think about falling off the bicycle, being hit by a vehicle when out on the road, and possibly suffering head injuries.

However, there is a triad of sexual health problems associated with cycling that is rarely known about, much less discussed: penile numbness, pelvic pain and impotence ( erectile dysfunction) in men.

What causes this? The pudendal arteries which are the blood vessels that supply the penis travel underneath the pubic bone. Sitting on the bicycle saddle, usually a hard narrow surface, for a lengthy period of time, results in compressing these blood vessels with the effect of reducing the oxygen supply to these same nerves, causing injury as a consequence.

The first early sign of a nerve injury is tingling which can be sporadic. This tingling may not be particularly bothersome, depending on the individual. However, this symptom is usually a indication that the man should seek help. In its early stages,  the injury can almost always be reversed. In reality though, most men ignore this tingling as simply having been on the bicycle too long, since knowledge of such injury leading to impotence, is usually non-existent.

Left alone, and with further time spent on the bicycle saddle, the consequences can be numbness, pelvic and penile pain, and erectile dysfunction (ED) / impotence. It is usually very difficult to undo the damage to the pudendal nerves once the injury reaches this stage.

The Journal of Andrology published a study in 2002: It evaluated police officers who used bicycles in their job. Each spent an average of 5 hours daily on their bicycle. 91% of the officers experienced a degree of intermittent numbness in the penis or groin.

The study also researched the nightime erections of these same police officers:  these men (compared to non-cyclists) had fewer night-time erections, which is another early warning symptom of pudendal nerve damage.

The longer the time spent on the bicycle saddle, the greater the risk of injury.

What is the incidence of men cyclists actually developing erectile dysfunction with prolonged cycling? The data is conflicting. The Journal of Urology published an internet survey in 2004. It reported 17% of 688 cyclists developing erectile dysfunction. However, this figure is no higher than that of the general population. Other studies suggested 3 hours or more per week of bicycle riding increases the risk of erectile dysfunction in men.

How, then, can a male cycling enthusiast protect himself against the threat of erectile dysfunction, and STILL continue to cycle?

Ergonomic changes can help reduce the pressure point underneath the pubic bone, thus decreasing blood vessel compression. These changes include:

1. Wearing proper padded cycling shorts.

2. A professional assessment of the bicycle used, and its saddle fit. The pressure points should not be on the pubic bone, but on the sit bones – ischial tuberosities.

3. Using a wider saddle with more padding. Time and effort spent finding the correct fit would be well rewarded.

4. Using a blunt or noseless saddle. This significantly reduces the contact pressure on the pudendal arteries. A study reported a reduction of pineal tingling from 73% to 18% with the use of a noseless saddle.

5. Keeping the bicycle saddle parallel to the ground. Better still is to tilt it slightly downwards, NEVER upwards.

6. Limiting time spend crouched over the racing bars. Compression of the blood vessels increases with a forward flexed position.

7. Cycling is such a pleasurable sport and pastime that it is difficult to see men stop riding because of the risks of erectile dysfunction. Many will continue riding, and have no problems. However, it is simply wise to take due precautions against potential injury.

Male cyclists should be aware of pudendal artery compression. Equally  important, they should pay attention if they experience numbness or tingling in their penis or perineum, even if these are not particularly bothersome, or seem temporary. This is symptom and warning sign of nerve damage, that in some men, can progress to more serious injury, including erectile dysfunction (ED) / impotence. Male cyclists should visit their urologist if they do experience tingling after riding.

A message to male cyclists: Implement one or all of the ergonomic solutions listed above. These measures may help prevent serious, and possibly irreversible, injuries. They may save your erectile and masculine health!