Pdxsushi

Can you really develop ED because you bike too much? I'm a very fit 24 year old guy and the wife is convinced I'm not as hard as I used to and upon further inspection it seems to me this is more or less true. She continued on saying how she read where if a guy bikes too much he will have a higher chance of ED. How much is too much? I do 60 miles a week and I know for sure there are tons of guys out there doing a lot more than that.....whats the problem? I explained this situation awkwardly to the LBS and got refitted on my bianchi (last time was just 6 months prior). I sometimes feel numbness in the groin area but it seems to go away after 45 mins or so from a long ride...BUT this does not happen all the time. Its more or less infrequent, this numbing sensation. Any guys here w/ any experience on this issue? maybe a doc in the forum?

Edit, wanted to add this I found via google:

Sixty Fiver

Get a better fitting saddle that will not put pressure on the perineal region and make doubly sure your bike fit is correct.

Jay D

Switch to a recumbent bike.

crackerdog

If you really think there is a problem, go to a specialist. No amount of hearsay on the internet will do as much.

DataJunkie

Yes. See a specialist and\or work on your saddle fit.

I ride 7k-9k a year and have the opposite issue of ED.

CastIron

Get your fit checked.
Get your blood chemistry checked for other causes.

The cycling=ED myth is just that.

PaulRivers

And after that, please track down the holy grail for us. Thanks.

Personally, I cannot find a !@#!@#! saddle for sale that doesn't put some sort of pressure on that region on a curly bar road bike. I have a Specialized Toupe saddle. If anyone would like to recommend anything, I'm all ears.

Inertianinja

what kind of saddle are you using?

does it have a cutout in the middle?

GuttingJob

the thread made me think you were getting erections when you were riding

cooker

If you're getting numbness you're doing it wrong. Try standing every few minutes, and especially if you feel numb, adjust the tilt of your saddle (up or down) or try different saddles. I only ride 50 miles a week as a commuter, but sometimes I will ride up to 50 weekend miles, such as in the annual Ride for Heart, and I have never had numbness (or sexual dysfunction) related to cycling.

Seeing your doctor is never bad advice, but at the same time, they may know nothing about bike related issues. A good bike fitting can help too.

As for the medical site you quoted, in fact you should have most of your weight on the ischial tubersosities, as well as partially carried by your feet and hands, so that very little pressure is on the perineum.

There's also the possibility that your wife is mistaken and maybe isn't keen on you biking which has made her overly attentive to this issue. However, since you are reporting numbness lasting 45 minutes after you finish riding, she may be on to something.

corkscrew

Have you tried a different wife?

Oh, nvm, with numbness after rides I'd look into a better saddle. I ride a nashbar tfx's mens saddle and that removed my taint-crushing issues I had before.

Sixty Fiver

My B17 Imperial works very well for a more aggressive riding position whereas a B17 does not.

YMMV.



The holy grail is parked in my garage behind the freezer where Jimmy Hoffa's body is being kept.

P.S. The Girl has made no complaints.

Zan

+1

uhm... i had a problem once, when i rode longer distances on a soft saddle. I switched to a hard saddle (Serfas Stinger), and the problem went away.

lay off the coffee and get more sleep.

EatMyA**

I had quite the opposite result. Much more increased blood flow to the area.

Please please keep one thing in mind OP. I tell this to the young men that I train and like to get laid often or masturbate like its going out of style. Whenever you start heavy physical activity that you are not used to, if you are pushing yourself your number of erections will go down. Your libido will also go down.

Unless you get used to it or take a break it will stay that way. Its just that during heavy physical activity, your body has better things to focus its resources on than multiple erections. 60 miles per week is not much really, but if you are riding like a MADMAN in this otherwise new activity foryourself then it will be quite a shock to your body for a while. Especially if you have a bad fit or an uncomfortable saddle.


Ask yourself some questions.

Do I Push myself to the limit when I ride? If you do and you really want to find out if this is it, either take two weeks off, or if you don't want to stop, GREATLY decrease your intensity (ride slower, less days, and higher cadence on a very easy gear.).

Am I depressed? Men experience depression differently than women. We dont tend to get all sad and stuff, but it shows up with decreased libido, less morining erections, ect. lost a job or otherwise experenced some sort of percieved failure in your life?

Have I just gotten used to my woman? Have you been spending more time with her than usual? I know I cant do it with my girlfriend of many years 3 times in a day (I just dont want to, not even daily). But I feel like I could do a new woman 10 times a day. Because she's new. If they put a NEW attractive woman infront of you, could you get erections like before?

Hopefully this will help you narrow it down and then you can take action accordingly.

GOOD LUCK!

DieselDan

Your quote from Google was crap. You should be sitting on a bicycle saddle with those same sit bones. If you are sitting on your taint all the time, get a better fitting saddle and/or bike. Recumbents are for those that already have ED.

JanMM

I represent that remark!

Fremdchen

Some swear by the Selle SMP saddle. Of course, same could be said of nearly any saddle out there. I'd go see the doc first and maybe the GP can refer you to a sports medicine specialist or a urologist. If you have insurance what's the harm in checking all avenues?

JanMM

My two non-'bents have WTB Rocket V Race saddles, each with a Love Channel down the middle.

Jeff Wills

I have four WTB saddles among my non-bents. They fit my anatomy just fine. The bents still get more miles, though.

Sushi: if you're in PDX, you might consider springing for a bike fitting by this guy: https://bicyclefittingservices.com/ . He set you up right.

If you want to explore the radical recumbent solution, your event is coming up over Memorial Day Weekend: https://www.ohpv.org/HPC/index.html .

Pdxsushi

thanks guys

will look into getting a different shop to fit me and if that doesnt fix it i suppose im off to the doc

Rollfast

I don't know your age or what medicines you take but:

A) Have your prostate and heart health examined and,

B) I had a friend who started using an OTC allergy medicine and was embarrassed frequently while lovemaking until he figured it out and discontinued it. ALSO see your doctor.

C) If you ride without a saddle you will find yourself always on your toes, I guess...

dahoss2002

That sounds like an idea!

chipcom 

position, position, position, Brooks.
I must be a Templar or something, since I ride 6-12k miles per year with little or no discomfort.

Wordbiker

Gee-zoe! How about her discomfort?

chipcom 

Your question is answered in your sig.