Does riding a bicycle affect women's private parts?

Women who enjoy riding bicycles or exercise bikes sometimes experience a numbness sensation that sometimes occurs in a traditional bicycle seat. The design of bicycle seats causes most of the body weight to fall on the protruding part in the front of the seat, 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 of male bicycle patrol officers documented similar results.

Women who ride bicycles have relatively weaker reproductive organs

However, there have been no detailed studies on cycling among women to date. In 2006, researchers at Yale University in the United States found that female cyclists had relatively weaker reproductive organ sensations compared to a reference group of female runners. As a result, some scientists believe that women who ride bicycles may be at similar risk for sexual problems as men.

A research report suggests that cycling is not only related to male erectile dysfunction, but may also be harmful to female sexual health. Researchers are currently studying whether cycling poses a threat to women's sexual health.

Is the numbness and pain often experienced by female riders caused by specific factors?

The study involved 48 women who cycled at least 10 miles per week (many cycled more than that).

The female riders came to the lab with their personal bikes and saddles. The researchers attached the bicycle to a machine. The female riders adjusted the seat position according to their preferences and started pedaling the bicycles. While pedaling, the women reported whether they felt pain, numbness or tingling in the saddle, while a device measured sensation in their pelvic floor.

It is worth noting that the position of the handlebars seems to be the most critical factor. If female riders adjust the handlebar position lower than the seat, the soft tissue of the perineum will be under more pressure and the feeling of the pelvic floor will be reduced.

The lower the handlebars are relative to the seat, the easier it is for a woman to lean forward, so a greater proportion of the weight will be borne by the perineum.

This problem is more likely to occur when riders lean forward, straighten their backs, or place their hands on the handlebars of a track bike for a more aerodynamic position.

The findings help raise awareness of the issues facing female cyclists, but more long-term research is needed. Previous research on male officers on bicycle patrol showed that the best way to reduce or even eliminate pressure on the genitals was to use a saddle with no protruding front. Researchers have also recommended that police and other workers use bicycles with seats that don't protrude at the front, which puts pressure on the sit bones rather than the soft tissues. If there is no weight acting on this, there will be no pressure.