ED (Erectile Dysfunction) / Impotency and a bicycle
Riding a bicycle for more than 3 hours per week has a risk of impotency. Statistically, the risk for impotence is 25% whereas the risk for crotch area disorders and lower urinary tract is estimated around 50 to 91%.
The mechanism of erectile dysfunction and impotence is as follows: During the ride on a bicycle, an increased compression of blood vessels and nerves in crotch area occurs. Because of increased compression caused by the bicycle seat, micro injuries are developed, which decrease the perfusion and damages the area (so called Alcock`s syndrome). The first alarming symptoms (they also occur in women!) are for instance: paraesthesia of crotch area – abnormal sensations of burning and tingling, sensory disturbance of crotch area and genitals along with decreased testosterone level in men.
Special bicycle seats can decrease the risk of impotency, but still they cannot eliminate it!
Unfortunately, similar problems occur among women-cyclists!!!
The same disorders happen to motorbikers and horse riding fans (especially in the field of micturition disorders), although there is definitely much less study done in their case compared to the cyclists.
The mechanism of erectile dysfunction and impotence is as follows: During the ride on a bicycle, an increased compression of blood vessels and nerves in crotch area occurs. Because of increased compression caused by the bicycle seat, micro injuries are developed, which decrease the perfusion and damages the area (so called Alcock`s syndrome). The first alarming symptoms (they also occur in women!) are for instance: paraesthesia of crotch area – abnormal sensations of burning and tingling, sensory disturbance of crotch area and genitals along with decreased testosterone level in men.
Special bicycle seats can decrease the risk of impotency, but still they cannot eliminate it!
Unfortunately, similar problems occur among women-cyclists!!!
The same disorders happen to motorbikers and horse riding fans (especially in the field of micturition disorders), although there is definitely much less study done in their case compared to the cyclists.