Is there such a thing? Can cycling mess with your pecker!

Every year, the Tour de France captures the imagination of many, with its high-tech carbon fiber bikes, sleek cycling gear, shiny helmets, and the iconic yellow jersey. The wind-like speed of the cyclists and the champagne and beautiful women waiting at the finish line are the envy of many. However, behind the glamour lies a less-discussed reality. Remember Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France champion who had a testicle removed? It makes one wonder if there's a connection between cycling and such health issues. Many male cyclists have experienced numbness in their genitals after long rides... In fact, the damage cycling can do goes beyond just feeling numb. Let's delve into the complex relationship between cycling and male health.



**The Downside of Cycling**



Cycling is associated with a range of male reproductive system issues, including genital numbness, erectile dysfunction, priapism, penile thrombosis, infertility, prostatitis, hematuria, and even testicular cancer. Ultrasound examinations have revealed that 81% of cyclists have testicular stones, along with conditions like epididymal cysts, epididymal calcifications, and scrotal effusion.



While some of these conditions are rare, the most common issue is nerve compression syndrome. According to a review on cycling and urological conditions by Ilan Leibovitch and others, in 62 research papers, the incidence of genital numbness among cyclists ranges from 50% to 91%, and erectile dysfunction occurs in 13% to 24% of cyclists.



Multiple studies, including one by F. Sommer from the Department of Urology at the University of Cologne, have shown that cyclists are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. Men who cycle for extended periods, such as professional cyclists or police officers on horseback, experience a significant decrease in spontaneous erections during sleep and a reduction in penile rigidity and diameter. These issues are often accompanied by temporary numbness in the penis, buttocks, and testicles.



More alarmingly, a study of 15 Spanish triathletes found that during competitions, the sperm activity of these athletes "dropped to abnormally low levels." Among the 15 participants, only 10% of the sperm were normal (the normal range is 15% to 20%), and those who cycled 300 kilometers per week had a mere 4% normal sperm, which is the threshold for male infertility.



It's well-known that Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery. Is there a link between cycling and testicular cancer? While it's not definitive, researchers at the British Columbia Cancer Agency, including A. J. Coldman, studied 133 athletes with seminoma and found that, after accounting for factors like undescended testes and age, cycling or horseback riding activities did increase the risk of testicular cancer.



**Why Cycling Can Be Harmful**



Men have an Alcock's canal in the perineum, through which arteries and nerves pass between the sit bones and the genitals, directly controlling blood flow and sensation in the penis. When sitting on a narrow, elongated bicycle seat, these arteries and nerves are compressed by the pelvis. When cycling in a forward-leaning position, a significant portion of the body's weight rests on the front of the saddle, which is in close contact with the perineum, leading to genital numbness.



Anderson confirmed the relationship between cycling and nerve compression symptoms. By studying participants in a 540-kilometer cycling event in Norway, he found that pressure on the pudendal nerve for 1 to 2 days can induce erectile dysfunction. Other researchers, using the IIEF-Q questionnaire (a survey for erectile dysfunction), found that those with a heavier body weight and greater saddle pressure had poorer erectile function.



Penile oxygen pressure is believed to reflect blood flow in the penis. Studies have shown that penile oxygen pressure significantly decreases during cycling. In 1989, S. R. Aboseif and colleagues at the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco, found that blocking one side of the penile artery does not severely affect erections, but blocking both sides can have a significant impact, leading to erectile dysfunction, which is likely similar to the effects of cycling.



In addition to compressing nerves and arteries, temperature also plays a role. It's widely believed that tight underwear can reduce male fertility because it raises testicular temperature, which can hinder sperm production. The testicles are located outside the body in the scrotum for this very reason.



**Protecting Your "Little Friend"**



Does this mean cycling enthusiasts have to say goodbye to their bikes? Not at all. Choosing the right saddle, wearing padded cycling shorts, and properly adjusting the height relationship between the saddle and handlebars can significantly reduce cycling-related injuries. During cycling, the degree of penile oxygen pressure drop mainly depends on the riding posture and saddle shape. Recumbent bikes exert less pressure on the perineum and do not alter penile blood flow, whereas regular bicycles can reduce penile blood flow by about 70%, though standing up to ride for a while can restore penile oxygen supply.



Although cycling does affect penile blood flow, ergonomically designed saddles can provide maximum protection. Traditional nose-shaped saddles can exert a pressure of up to 150 mmHg on the genital organs, and even as high as nearly 280 mmHg (for comparison, the systolic blood pressure in the upper arm is only 120 mmHg, and when external pressure exceeds this value, blood cannot flow smoothly). Such pressure can reduce blood flow by up to 80%. Noseless saddles can reduce the pressure on the genital organs during cycling by at least 65%, reducing blood flow by only 20%.



In 1999, 15 cyclists tested a new type of saddle. These riders cycled 240 to 480 kilometers per week. The trial results showed that 12 of the riders experienced genital numbness with traditional saddles, but only two felt numbness with the new saddle. An appropriate saddle-handlebar height ratio can also distribute some of the body's pressure to the pedals.



Additionally, cyclists should opt for flatter terrain to minimize the impact of bumps. Those who enjoy mountain biking (XC), downhill (DH), and free riding (FR) should exercise moderation. If the discomfort becomes too much, there's an ingenious solution—sperm freezing. Doctors have advised cyclists to consider freezing sperm before starting high-intensity training to address potential risks to reproductive health.



Of course, cycling enthusiasts, both male and female, need not worry excessively. Although many studies have cited instances of cycling's impact on male sexual function and sperm production, these results are mostly based on professional cyclists who spend long hours on their saddles. Casual, short-distance cycling with proper posture and adequate rest will not significantly affect male sexual function. After all, before the advent of automobiles, bicycles were a primary mode of transportation, and historically, those who rode horses daily did not become infertile.