New “noseless’ bike seats can prevent male erectile dysfunction

Groin discomfort is a common problem especially amongst male riders, but one that can remedied quite easily.

A long day on the bike leaves most of us uncomfortable, but US scientists have good news for those men who find themselves with more than a numb backside at the end of a big ride.

Article 2008 by Claudine Ryan
ABC Science website

Research published in the latest issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals that bicycle seats without the protruding nose extension can help to ease discomfort some male bike riders experience.

Research has found men riding bikes for extended periods are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction, as well as genital numbness.

Easing the pressure

Lead author Doctor Steven Schrader, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Cincinnati, says “noseless” bike seats are useful for alleviating pressure on the groin and improving penis health.

Researchers evaluated 90 bike riding police officers in five metropolitan areas in the United States. After six months of using no-nose bike seats the number of officers who reported no genital numbness rose from 27% to 82%.

Those officers who had reported erectile dysfunction before changing seats noted a significant improvement in penile sensation by the end of the study, although the scientists were unable to measure any significant changes.

Schrader says it took the officers time to adjust to the new bike seats and in some ways they had to "re-learn" to ride a bicycle.

Easy fix

Sports Medicine Australia's cycling spokesman Dr Peter Barnes says there are easier ways for men to alleviate groin discomfort bike riding can cause.

"It's a common problem, but it's not a major problem that can't be overcome with pretty simple adjustments to the set up of their bike," he says.

"In the vast majority of the cases you can solve the problem by getting them to readjust their bike and their equipment or use a decent chamois in their bike shorts."

"It's not appropriate for people who are serious about their cycling, as they move up and down the seat depending on whether they're climbing hills, sprinting or whether they are cruising. You don't just sit in one position on the bike you move around."

"By chopping the front bit off you reduce your options in terms of optimal position for delivering power – so for performance chopping a bit of the seat off is not a great help."

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