Men should stand on bikes to avoid crushing privates: study

There’s a risk for men who ride bikes that pads and a helmet can’t help.

The constrictive saddle of a bicycle could ruin male reproductive organs, leading to possible erectile dysfunction and nerve damage, according to a scientific review appearing in the journal Sports Medicine.

Scientists now suggest that typical male cyclists should stand up on their peddles about every 10 minutes during a ride to prevent injury or long-term side effects that could affect their ability to have sex or father children.

Researchers in Poland compiled and reviewed 22 recent studies on pain and injury caused by bicycle seats, and outlined the best solutions to prevent saddle soreness — such as the “no-nose” style, which removes the narrow portion seen on traditional saddles to reduce pressure on the genitals.

“Many men struggle with discomfort when riding a bike and there are concerns this can lead to sexual problems,” the lead author of the study, Kamil Litwinowicz, told the DailyMail. “However there is also strong evidence that being sedentary is linked to erectile dysfunction, so cycling as a form of activity could reduce that risk.”

Previous research has shown that conventional bicycle seats can put pressure on the sensitive nerve endings in the crotch area for both men and women, which could eventually cause damage and numbness with repeated rides. One such study saw that 91% of male cyclists experience a loss of feeling around their private parts after riding. However, findings related to erectile dysfunction or infertility are mixed and limited, as one study published in The Journal of Urology in 2018 found that the sexual and urinary tract health of cyclists is comparable to runners and swimmers.

Wroclaw Medical University researchers analyzed prior findings on various bike builds to determine which reduces pressure on male genitals the best, looking at factors such as seat cushion, handlebars and bike shorts.

The no-nose saddle came out on top of all other modifications according to the review — evidenced by one particular study of bicycle-riding police. After six months of using a no-nose saddle, the number of those who said their numbness subsided with the no-nose style rose from 27% to 82%. Policemen also reported fewer experiences of ED post-ride.

Researchers warn that no-nose seats require practice as they can make riding less stable. But if men can manage it, they say that no-nose seats can help improve blood flow to the genitals compared to other seats.

The study concluded, “Current evidence supports the use of no-nose saddles as a means to reduce the negative impact of cycling on penile oxygen pressure. Standing on the pedals every ten minutes might be an effective and potentially widely applicable strategy.”

For those unwilling to make the switch, regularly standing on the bike’s pedals while riding is the best way to prevent numbness and subsequent ED, as six prior studies mentioned in the new report had shown that simply sitting on a bike can slow circulation and thus increase blood pressure in the area.

Said Litwinowicz, “We don’t want men to quit cycling, but instead to look at things like standing on the pedals or using a different saddle.”