It is reported that cycling is not only related to erectile dysfunction in men, but may also pose risks to women’s sexual health. Currently, researchers are investigating whether cycling threatens female sexual health.
Previously, we reported that cycling may cause erectile dysfunction in men, and women who enjoy cycling or using stationary bikes sometimes experience numbness, often occurring on traditional bicycle seats. The design of bicycle seats places most of the body weight on the protruding front part, which puts pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the genital area. For men, this increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. A previous study involving male police officers on bicycle patrols recorded similar findings.
However, there has been no detailed research on female cyclists to date. In 2006, researchers at Yale University in the United States found that compared to a control group of female runners, female cyclists had relatively weaker sensation in their genital organs. Therefore, some scientists believe that female cyclists may face similar risks to men in terms of sexual health.
A research report suggests that cycling is not only associated with erectile dysfunction in men, but may also harm women’s sexual health. Researchers are currently studying whether cycling poses threats to female sexual health.
In the latest study, Yale University researchers sought to determine whether the numbness and pain often experienced by female riders result from specific factors. Forty-eight women who cycled at least 16 kilometers per week (many cycled more than that) participated in the study.
The female riders brought their own personal bicycles and seats to the lab. The researchers fixed the bicycles to a machine. After adjusting the seat position to their preference, the riders began pedaling. While cycling, they reported whether they felt pain, numbness, or tingling while sitting on the seat, and devices were used to measure perineal sensation.
Notably, the position of the handlebars appears to be the most crucial factor. When female riders set the handlebars lower than the seat, the soft tissues of the perineum bear more pressure, and perineal sensation decreases.
Researchers found that the lower the handlebars are in relation to the seat, the more the woman leans forward, causing a greater proportion of her weight to be supported by the perineum. This issue is more likely to occur when riders lean forward, keep their backs straight, or place their hands on the drops of a road bike handlebar for better aerodynamics.
These findings help female riders become aware of the potential issues associated with cycling, but more long-term research is still needed. Previous studies on male police bicycle patrols showed that the best way to reduce or eliminate pressure on the perineum is to use seats without a protruding front. Relevant researchers have also recommended that police and other personnel use bikes with non-protruding saddles, thereby shifting the pressure to the sit bones rather than soft tissue. If the weight is not borne by the soft tissue, then pressure will not be generated.
Overall, long-term cycling can have certain health impacts on the pelvis and intimate areas for women. Women who wish to exercise by cycling should pay attention to controlling the duration.