Every year, the media is full of reports that cycling, which is otherwise so healthy, can make men impotent or at least cause temporary sexual dysfunction. Women's genital areas do not escape unscathed either; the pressure of the bike saddle on delicate areas can also cause annoying problems for them.
Causes of sitting discomfort
What is the truth of such reports? Studies and experience among experts do not support the theory of impotence. Munich urologist Dr Stefan Staudte, for example, confirms that cyclists of all types only rarely consult him because of problems with manhood caused by cycling. Rather, it is usually discomfort and pain in the perineal area for which they seek his advice. In the centre of the perineum, the area between the anus and the external genitals, "runs the pudendal nerve. If it is compressed or irritated too much, my patients sometimes experience permanent discomfort, which can be difficult and sometimes very protracted to treat, especially if the irritation has been present for a long time." The perineal area also contains the rear end of the urethra, vascular and nerve clusters and the prostate in the depths. "Irritation and inflammation are also possible here, although the prostate is only indirectly affected."
Check your sitting position on the bike
It is important "not to wait too long in the event of even slight pain in this sensitive and injury-prone area". For sensitive cyclists who already have minor problems, Staudte recommends a saddle that is gentle on the perineal area and a check of the Seating positionbest through a Bikefitting. Anyone who has been suffering for a long time will not be able to avoid these measures. Anyone who has so far been completely spared from sitting discomfort could consider such measures purely as a preventative measure and increase sitting comfort in this sensitive part of the body.
From a urological point of view at least, it would be less problematic with the (quasi) rear end of the buttocks, i.e. the anus, buttocks and sit bones. "However, overuse injuries to the skin, muscles, tendons, muscle attachment points and periosteum are also conceivable there." However, this area can withstand more. The sit bones in particular are best designed to absorb the cyclist's body weight. The right one, Ergonomic and comfortable saddle From the point of view of a doctor specialising in cyclists, the seat should direct the pressure as far as possible to this area and have a rather flat surface, at least not one that is curved upwards (convex). Ideally, the width of the seat surface should be adapted to the different individual distances between the sit bones.
Depending on how upright the sitting position is, the ischial tuberosities absorb more or less load: In the upright Dutch bike position, this is almost one hundred per cent of the weight; in a sporty, stretched position, more of the load slides onto the perineum and the so-called pubic bone branches or runners, which can cause problems for women in particular. "They also benefit from a saddle that relieves pressure on the perineum," says Staudte.
Anyone who has already had urethral or prostate surgery may be well served by a noseless, orthopaedic saddle where the entire body weight rests only on seat shells or pads in the rear area. Ultimately, the best way to find the right saddle is to try out different models.
