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OT: impotence. studies suggest to much biking lead to impotence.?

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OT: impotence. studies suggest to much biking lead to impotence.?

Old 03-16-08, 11:25 AM
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OT: impotence. studies suggest to much biking lead to impotence.?

i accidently came across come article discussing how some saddles + long days of biking may lead to impotence. i've also read about how they're engineering saddles that don't cut off so much blood flow/oxygen.
i don't mean to offend anyone, since i read that many cyclist's were outraged back in the late 90's when the studies first came out.. but what the ****.. now i want to buy a new saddle just to be safe!
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Old 03-16-08, 12:02 PM
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This has been done to death. I think its all hogwash to be honest. Millions of people in China bike and they have no problem having children.

I used to be a skeptic....as long as your saddle is comfortable you'll be okay. I've been commuting for a year now and everything is still working just fine !!!!

Relax
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Old 03-16-08, 12:14 PM
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Saddles are like shoes - if they don't fit properly and aren't comofrtable then expect to devlop some nasty injuries to soft tissue.
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Old 03-16-08, 01:11 PM
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If you look closely, you'll find most, if not all, these studies are good examples of bad science. The conclusions they reach shouldn't be taken seriously. And even if a study turned out to be exemplary science, I would wager that there are far greater threats to male potency than bike riding. This would have to be way at the bottom of the list.
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Old 03-16-08, 01:58 PM
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I think anyone who has these troubles has an ill-fitting saddle or it's adjusted badly or they don't ride correctly.
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Old 03-16-08, 02:03 PM
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I think if you ride a Brooks saddle on a steel frame and avoid spandex you'll be fine. Having only one gear helps too.
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Old 03-16-08, 02:33 PM
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Studies prove that sitting on your arse all day and not biking will lead to fatness, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and loads of other maladies.

So I'll take my chances.
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Old 03-16-08, 07:52 PM
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Age 53, bike commute 30 miles per day, 5 days per week. Frequent cyclist for over 30 years. Brooks saddle, level and properly adjusted height, with bars higher than saddle height. No discomfort while bicycle riding or afterwards. No ED either, no blue pills required.
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Old 03-16-08, 08:03 PM
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I've been riding long distance since 2001 (centuries/double centuries) and I've not had a problem in that department. Now my sanity may come into question but there are other crazier things I could be doing.
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Old 03-16-08, 08:06 PM
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Ya know, sitting on your arse all day, as was posted above, will make you fat and cause cardiovascular problems everywhere. So you may be getting primed for a heart attack and building up plaque in your penis at the same.

Enjoy the ride.
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Old 03-16-08, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
I think if you ride a Brooks saddle on a steel frame and avoid spandex you'll be fine. Having only one gear helps too.

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Old 03-16-08, 10:43 PM
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30+ years of cycling, 8 years working in a nuke power, and dozens of kicks to the jewels playing futbol... hmmmm... I may have to talk to my old lady and get some paternity tests done.
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Old 03-16-08, 10:52 PM
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I think that those who are saying absolutely no way are probably in denial about the potential, and fortunately haven't symptoms yet.

Got a touch ot the ED here. I don't know if its the saddle, too much sugar or what.

I don't trust the chemical bandaids, so I'm trying some other things like got a new saddle, doing my long rides on a recumbent, eating better, pelvic floor exercises and going for the antioxidants, magnesium and zinc. I hope it helps.
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Old 03-16-08, 11:08 PM
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Aww crikey, not this ***** again....

Originally Posted by reptar douglass
i accidently came across come article discussing how some saddles + long days of biking may lead to impotence. i've also read about how they're engineering saddles that don't cut off so much blood flow/oxygen.
i don't mean to offend anyone, since i read that many cyclist's were outraged back in the late 90's when the studies first came out.. but what the ****.. now i want to buy a new saddle just to be safe!
Yeah, cycling is the direct cause of my massive erectile dysfunction! it's even worse now at 42 than when I was 17! It seems that because of my aerobic fitness and other massive health benefits of cycling I wake up every morning with this massive ***** and the poor old wife is at her wit's end. The poor old girl just can't get enough (sleep, that is)..... and as if that's not bad enough, remember that uncontrollable bulge that was the cause of so much embarassment in your youth?.... thought you had it under control by the time you hit 30? well think again! yep, every time that hot young secretary briefs me before a meeting I know that I'll be at least 10 minutes before I can safely walk down the hallway, it's not normal, the little feller is bloody dysfunctional I tell ya!

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Old 03-17-08, 07:19 AM
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I agree that the data doesn't support this. But...

Does anybody know if data claiming bike riding leads to prostate problems has been debunked? I heard the prostate can swell due to bike riding. I suspect that's not true, but I'd like to know for sure.
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Old 03-17-08, 11:03 AM
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Just another lame excuse not to ride.
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Old 03-17-08, 11:07 AM
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Two words: cutout seat
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Old 03-17-08, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by DieselDan
Just another lame excuse not to ride.
Exactly. Cycling is also correlated with 504% increased likelihood of swallowing a bug.
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Old 03-17-08, 12:16 PM
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good luck. I had some ED probs last year after riding a cushy saddle that was set up wrong for me. To some guys, it does make a difference... no problems so far with the brooks, but I'm thinking of getting a cut out just to be safe.
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Old 03-17-08, 12:21 PM
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I ride quite a bit and have never had this issue. I hope I never do.

In fact, my experience is the exact opposite being that I am a raging hormone. Someday it would be nice to think about something else.
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Old 03-17-08, 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
Exactly. Cycling is also correlated with 504% increased likelihood of swallowing a bug.
Sh*t, that got me laughing so hard I damn near fell out of my chair.

Back to the OP's concern: Run a search on the Forums, you'll find that this has been done to death. In short, if your saddle fits you properly, your bike is set up properly, and you ride properly, no problem.
  • IF you're not sore after a ride, you have no problem.
  • If you're sore in two spots, one on each cheek, you're OK, just ride more.
  • If you're sore in the middle, STOP. Something needs to be changed.
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Old 03-17-08, 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
I think if you ride a Brooks saddle on a steel frame and avoid spandex you'll be fine. Having only one gear helps too.
You try going up our Appalachian hills on a singlespeed and see how you like it.
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Old 03-17-08, 02:21 PM
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I think MrCjolsen was kidding. At least I hope so.

Multiple gears and frame type could not have anything less to do with ED.
I suppose those in the SS\FG forum would like to think one gear makes you more potent.

I'm not going to touch the brooks comment. Can't stand the things. Most uncomfortable saddle ever.
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Old 03-17-08, 02:34 PM
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The cutout is NOT there to prevent blood flow blockage. It's there to prevent pinched nerves. Your "junk" goes numb because of pinched nerves, NOT blood flow problems!
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Old 03-17-08, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by justin70
Ya know, sitting on your arse all day, as was posted above, will make you fat and cause cardiovascular problems everywhere.

Enjoy the ride.
And with the above issues impotence/ed may no longer even be an issue anymore since it does take two to tango.
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