Roboman Mens Health Weblog

Men who take up cycling in an effort to stay fit, do their bit for the environment or
avoid spiralling motoring costs, could be harming their health if they don’t choose the
right bicycle. That’s the stark warning from consultant urological surgeon Mr Vinod
Nargund from St Bartholomew’s and Homerton Hospitals, London, in the urology
journal BJU International.
He says that the problems to look out for include genital numbness, erection
problems and soreness and skin irritations in the groin area.
Men who cycle a lot can also experience changes to their sperm function, because
of the excessive heat generated in the pelvic area. No general link between cycling
and male infertility has been established, but it is still recognised as a possible side
effect and has been noted in a number of male cyclists.
Regular cyclists also run a higher risk of testicular damage and impaired testicular
function.
Mountain bikers run a particular risk, says Mr Nargund, as studies have shown that
they exhibit higher levels of scrotal abnormalities than on-road cyclists.
"The bicycle saddle is in direct contact with the perineum and its underlying
structures" he explains. "It makes contact just behind the scrotum where the nerves
and blood vessels enter the back of the scrotum and penis.
"This area is sensitive, with hair follicles and sweat and sebaceous glands, which are
all good breeding grounds for infection.
"Abrasions, chafing, damaged hair follicles and bruising are among the most
traumatic cycling injuries. Sweating in this area can also cause soreness and skin
problems."
He points out that more than 60 per cent of male cyclists who have taken part in
research studies have reported genital numbness.
"Numbness is common because the pressure of the saddle can impair the blood
supply to this area and put pressure on the nerves in the penis" says Mr Nargund.
"This can also affect the man’s ability to get an erection.
"There is a greater incidence of numbness and erectile problems in men who cycle
regularly and over longer training distances. That is why it is important to rest
intermittently during prolonged and vigorous cycling."
Buy diflucan pills Choosing the right bike is essential, stresses Mr Nargund. "The male cyclist should know his bicycle well and a proper fit is particularly important for high-performance cycling" he says. "The level of pedal resistance is also very important, because riding a bike using too much resistance is a major cause of health problems in the groin area.
"Cyclists can also help to ease saddle-related injuries or skin irritations by adjusting
the saddle height and fore and aft position.
"Padding in the saddle and shorts are also important if cyclists want to avoid saddlerelated
problems."
Mr Nargund’s comment piece has been published online on the BJU International
website in advance of its hard copy publication later this year.
"Health issues of cycling in men."
Nargund V H.
BJU International. Published online in advance of print publication (July 2008).
Established in 1929, BJU International is published 23 times a year by Wiley-Blackwell
and edited by Professor John Fitzpatrick from Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and
University College Dublin, Ireland. It provides its international readership with invaluable
practical information on all aspects of urology, including original and investigative articles
and illustrated surgery.
About Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the
acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with
Wiley’s Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have
created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and
professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on
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