I have a problem and it is that I had my prostate removed and an artificial sphincter fitted as the tubes pass under the scrotum when I ride a bike it opens the spincter and I end up wet too much information I hear you say but as I love my bike I still wanted to use it so I have been looking around for a decent seat I have found a company on the net and there email address is info@bicycleseats.org I found a seat called the easy seat duluxe and it is two seats in one that your cheeks seem to fit on to so taking the pressure off the middle sensitive parts has anybody tried it yet I would be very interested to hear from you if you have

The weight of medical evidence that the saddles nose is related to sexual dysfunction in men and women is overwhelming and is widely accepted in the medical community. The reason cyclists do not buy into it is not because it is not true but instead it does not affect everyone (I am ok for now, so it is not a real problem – coined smoker’s denial). Also bike fitters and saddle salesmen want you to believe otherwise to make a buck. These studies are from many highly respected research labs and are published in peer reviewed journals. Check them out for yourself.

Published Scientific Research on Bicycle Saddles and the Male Perineum

1. Bond, R.E. Distance Bicycling May Cause Ischemic Neuropathy of Penis. Physician and Sports Medicine 3:54-56. 1975.

2. Goodson, J.D. Pudendal Neuritis from Biking. N Engl J Med 304:365. 1981

3. Kerstien, MD, S.A. Gould, E. French-Sherry, and C. Pirman. Perineal Trauma and Vasculogenic Impotence. J Urol 127:57. 1982.

4. Solomon, S. and K.G. Cappa. Impotence and Bicycling: a Seldom-reported Connection. Postgrad Med 81:99-102. 1987.

5. Desai, K.M. and J.C. Gingell. Hazards of Long Distance Cycling. Brit J Med 298:1072-1073. 1989.

6. Mellion, M.B. Common Cycling Injuries: Management and Prevention. Sports Med 11:52-70. 1991.

7. Silbert PL, Dunne JW, Edis RH, Stewart-Wynne EG. Bicycling induced pudendal nerve pressure neuropathy. Clin Exp Neurol. 28:191-6. 1991

8. Groenendijk, MC, HCCM Christiaans, CMJ van Hulten. Sitting Comfort on Bicycles. Contemporary Ergonomics pp 551-557, 1992

9. Oberpenning, F. S Roth, DB Luesmann, H van Ahlen, and L Hertle. The Alcock Syndrome: Temporary penile Insensitivity Due to Compression of the Pudental Nerve with the Alcock Canal. J Urol 151:423-5. 1994.

10. Andersen, K.V. and G. Bovim. Impotence and Nerve Entrapment in Long Distance Amateur Cyclists. Acta Neurol Scand 95:233-240. 1997.

11. LaSalle, MD, C Wen, M Choi, P Salimpour, A Adelstein, S Gholami, RJ Krane, and I Goldstein. “You Don’t Have to Ride in the Tour de France”: Erectile Dysfunction in 81 Consecutive Riders. Abstracts of the American Urological Association. 1999.

12. Broderick, GA. Bicycle Seats and Penile Blood Flow: Does the Type of Saddle Matter? Abstracts of the American Urological Association. 1999

13. Schwarzer, U. W. Wiegand, A Bin-Saleh, H Lotzerick, G Kahrmann, T Klotz, and U Engelmann. Genital Numbness and Impotence Rate in Long Distance Cyclists. Abstracts of the American Urological Association. 1999

14. Nayal W, Schwarzer U, Klotz T, Heidenreich A, Engelmann U. Transcutaneous penile oxygen pressure during bicycling. BJU Int. 83:623-5. 1999.

15. Ricchiuti, VS, CA Haas, AD Seftel, T Chelimsky, and I Goldstein. Pudental Nerve Injury Associated with Avid Bicycling. J Urol 162:2099-2100. 1999

16. Sommer, F, D Konig, C Graf, U Schwarzer, C Bertram, T Klotz and U Engelmann. Impotence and Genital Numbness in Cyclists. Int J Sports Med 22:410-413. 2001

17. Marceau, L., K. Kleinman, I. Goldstein, and J McKinlay. Does Bicycling Contribute to the Risk of Erectile Dysfunction? Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS). Int J Impotence Res 18:298-302. 2001.

18. Sommer, F., U Schwarzer, C Graf, T Klotz, and U Engelman. Changes in penile blood flow during cycling: what precautions should be taken to avoid a decreased profusion? Dtsch Med Wschr 126:939-943. 2001

19. Schwarzer, U., F. Sommer, T. Klotz, C. Cremer, and U. Engelmann. Cycling and Penile Oxygen Pressure: the Type of Saddle Matters. European Urology 41:139-143. 2002

20. Jeong, SJ, K Park, JD Moon, and SB Ryu. Bicycle Saddle Shape affects Penile blood flow. International J Impotence Research 14:513-517. 2002.

21. Keytel, LR and TD Noakes. Effects of a Novel Bicycle Saddle on Symptoms and Comfort in Cyclists. S Afr. Med J 2:295-298. 2002

22. Grunbaum A, K Rehman, I Kuzmarov, and S. Carrier. The Development of a Model to Investigate the Effect of Bicycling on Sexual Function. International J Impotence Research 14:S50. 2002

23. Mumarriz, R. A Prospective Study in Men with ED of Cavernosal Artery PSV Values While Lying, Sitting, Straddling/sitting on different Commercially Available Bicycle Saddle and Seat Designs. International J Impotence Research 14:S60. 2002

24. Taylor, JA. Inherent Variables within Bicycle Riding and Their Relationship to erectile Dysfunction. International J Impotence Research 14:S30. 2002

25. Sommer, F, A Raible, S Wolter, and U Engelmann. Is there any difference in penile blood flow during cycling in an upright vs. reclining position? Andrologia 34:123-153. 2002

26. Schrader, S.M., M. J. Breitenstein, J.C. Clark, B. D. Lowe, and T. W. Turner. Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and Rigidity Testing of Bicycling Patrol Officers. Journal of Andrology 23:927-934. 2002.

27. Mumarriz, R.. Bicycle Riding Associated Erectile Dysfunction: Treatment Outcome of Revascularization Surgery. International J Impotence Research 14:S55. 2002

28. Southorn, T. Great Balls of Fire and the Vicious Cycle. A Study of the Effects of Cycling on Male Fertility. J Family Planning and Reprod Health Care. 28:211-213. 2002

29. Spears, IR, NK Cummins, Z Brenchley, C Donohue, C Turnbull, Shona Burton, and G Macho. The Effect of Saddle Design on Stresses in the Perineum During Cycling. Med & Science in Sports & Exercise 35:1620-1625. 2003.

30. Rando R, R Squadrone, M Sacchi, and A Marzegan. Pressure Distribution on Bicycle Saddles. The Bicycle Saddle Report 2003.Deutsche Sporthochshute. 2003.

31. Sommer F. Type of Saddle and Sitting Position Influence Penile Oxygen Pressure while Cycling. The Bicycle Saddle Report 2003.Deutsche Sporthochshute. 2003.

32. Lowe, B., S. Schrader, and M. Breitenstein. Effect of Saddle Design on the Perineal Pressure of the Bicyclist. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 36:1055-1062. 2004

33. Dettori, JR, TD Koepsell, P Cummins and JM Corman. Erectile Dysfunction after a Long-Distance Cycling Event: Association with Bicycle Characteristics. J Urology 172:637-641. 2004

34. Taylor, JA, TC Kao, PC Albertson, and R Shabsigh. Bicycling Riding and Its Relationship to the Development of Erectile Dysfunction. J Urology 172:1028-1-31. 2004.

35. Leibovitch, I and Y Mor. The Vicious Cycling: Bicycling Related Urogenital Disorders. Eur Urology 47:277-287. 2005

36. Cohen JD, and MT Gross. Effect of Bicycle Racing Saddle Design on Transcutaneous Penile Oxygen Pressure. J Sports Med and Physical Fitness. 45:409-419. 2005.

37. Huang V, R Munarriz, and I Goldstein. Bicycling Riding and Erectile Dysfunction: An Increase in Interest (and Concern). J Sex Med 2:596-604. 2005

38. Breda G, N Piazza, V Bernardi, E Lunardon and A Caruso. Development of a New Geometric Bicycle Saddle for the Maintenance of Genital-Perineal Vascular Perfusion. J Sex Med 2:605-611. 2005

39. Munarriz R, V Huang, J Uberoi, S Maitland, T Payton and I Goldstein. Only the Nose Knows: Penile Hemodynamic Study of the Perineum-Saddle Interface in Men with Erectile Dysfunction Utilizing Bicycle Saddles and Seat with and with Nose Extensions. J Sex Med 2:612-619. 2005.

40. Schrader, SM. Research on Bicycle Saddles and Sexual Health Comes of Age. J Sex Med. 2:594-595. 2005.

41. Bressel E, Reeve T, Parker D, Cronin J. Influence of bicycle seat pressure on compression of the perineum: A MRI analysis. J Biomech. 40:198-202. 2007.

42. Gemery, JM, AK Nangia, AC Mamourian, and SK Reid. Digital three-dimensional modeling of the male pelvis and bicycle seats: impact of rider position and seat design on potential penile hypoxia and erectile dysfunction. B J Urology International 99:135-140. 2007

43. Wilson C, and TR Bush. Interface forces on the seat during cycling activity. Clin Biomech. 200722:1017-1023. 2007.

44. Asplund C., T Barkdull, and BD Weiss. Genitourinary Problems in Bicyclists. Current Sports Medicine Reports 6:333-339. 2007

45. Nanka O, Sedý J, Jarolím L. Sulcus nervi dorsalis penis: site of origin of Alcock’s syndrome in bicycle riders? Med Hypotheses. 2007;69(5):1040-5.

46. Standard bicycle seats can lead to erectile dysfunction. Mayo Clin Health Lett. 25:4. 2007.

47. Goldstein I, Lurie AL, Lubisich JP. Bicycle riding, perineal trauma, and erectile dysfunction: data and solutions. Curr Urol Rep. 8:491-7. Review. 2007.

48. Bressel E, Parker D. Effect of Graded Bicycle Seat Pressure on Perineal Compression: An MRI Analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2008

49. Schrader SM, Breitenstein MJ, Lowe BD. Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis. J Sex Med. 5:1932-1940, 2008

50. Kennedy J. Neurologic injuries in cycling and bike riding. Neurol Clin. 26 :271-9. 2008

51. Cohen, J. Finding the Perfect Bicycle Seat. 2nd Edition, RBR Publishing Company, South Royalton, VT. 2008.

52. Goldstein, I. The A, B, C’s of The Journal of Sexual Medicine: Awareness, bicycle seats, and choices. J Sex Med 5:1773-1775, 2008.

53. Goldstein, I, M Bastuba, A Lurie, and J Lubisich. Penile Revascularization. J Sex Med 5:2018-2021

Published Scientific Research on Bicycle Saddles and the Female Perineum

1. Dickerson, RL. Bicycling for Women from the Standpoint of the Gynaecologist. Am J Obstet of Women and Children 31:24-37. 1895.

2. Steiner E, Chague A, Gross GB. [The "third testis" of cyclists, in women too...]
Presse Med. 1989 Feb 18:(7):361. French.

3. Groenendijk, MC, HCCM Christiaans, CMJ van Hulten. Sitting Comfort on Bicycles. Contemporary Ergonomics pp 551-557, 1992.

4. McElhinney, BE, T Horner, WW Dinsmore, A Harper, C Goldsmith, and RD Maw. Exercise bicycle-induced vulval abscesses. International J of STD & AIDS 4:174-175. 1993

5. LaSalle M, P Sallinpour, M Adelstein, A Mourzinos, C Wen, J Renzuli, B Goldstein, L Goldstein, J Cantey-Kiser, RJ Krane, and I Goldstein. Sexual and Urinary Tract Dysfunction if Female Bicyclists. J Urol Vol 161 (No 4 Suppl) pp 269 #1040. 1999.

6. Berman J, L Berman, and E Bumiller. For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. Henry Holt & Co. 2001.

7. Buller, JC. Female Cyclists and Perineal Symptoms: An Experimental Bicycle Seat. Clinc J Sprts Med 11:289-290. 2001.

8. Baeyens L, E Vermeersch, and P Bourgeois. Bicyclist’s Vulva: Observational Study. BMJ 325:138-139. 2002.

9. Humphries D. Unilateral Vulval Hypertrophy in Competitive Female Cyclists. Br J Sports Med 36:463-464. 2002.

10. Bressel E and BJ Larson. Bicycle Seat Designs and Their Effect on Pelvic Angle, Trunk Angle, and Comfort. Med Sci in Sports & Exercise. 35:327-332. 2003.

11. Frobose I, L Baeyens, and K Tofaute. Ergonomics of 2 Bicycle Saddles – Pressure at the Pudental Area in Women of a Normal Saddle with Gel and of a Saddle with a Hole. The Bicycle Saddle Report 2003.Deutsche Sporthochshute. 2003.

12. Guess MK, KA. Connell1, SM. Schrader, S Reutman, A Wang, J Lacombe, C Toennis, B Lowe, A Melman, and MS Mikhail. Genital Sensation & Female Sexual Function In Cyclists And Runners: Are Your Feet Safer Than Your Seat? Journal of Sexual Medicine 3:1018-1027. 2006.

Once it was gone I couldn’t get it back….you are more than welcome to post it again as I didn’t delete it on purpose.

1- they get a soft seat. a soft seat squishes as your “sit bones” press down, the middle gel part pushes up into your sensitive areas and causes problems. Don’t do this. Get a seat where the sit bones are the right width for you and it should be hard as a board (or nearly so). I am friends with a number of folks that ride carbon fiber seats (you can only press your finger down a smidgen… you can barely tell you’re moving the padding).

2- poor bike shorts. If you haven’t already, drop $100 or more on some great bike shorts.

3- poor bike fit. You should be carrying a majority of your body weight on your arms and legs by clipping in and riding bent over. If you are riding in an upright position barely touching the handlebars you’ll have all of your upper body weight on your rear. The more aggressive position the more weight is held by your arms. A good example of this is a TT bike, where the rider’s upper body is supported by the bone structure in their arms.

If you aren’t riding a road bike (or you are riding a “comfort” road bike where you’re nearly upright) look at switching. Maybe take a TT bike out for a spin and spend your time on the aero bars.

Finally, make sure you’re standing some of the time. Every song change (or every mile) I stand for 8-10 pedal strokes to let fresh blood flow to my lower region. Sitting compresses the blood vessels and if you don’t relieve the pressure periodically you will be far more likely to experience numbness and prostate problems.

Bottom line: there’s no scientific evidence that your doc is right. But, go ahead and assume that he is. Better safe than sorry. I’m 60 years old and ride 200 to 400 miles a week on very slim, hard saddles with no trouble. I did put a semi-split, nose-down saddle on one of my bikes last year and can’t tell a bit of difference. If it weren’t for a broken foot, I’d be doing 500 miles on RAGBRAI right now. Did it on a Selle San Marco Aspide last year with no complaints.

I’ve attached some good resources below, beginning with a link to an Italian study. It seems to me that I recall that a Dr. Goldstein, a urologist that started this whole furor with a popular press article several years ago (addressing ED, not prostatitis), later recanted his opinion, but didn’t get press coverage on his change of mind. Tried without success to find references to that.

The recumbent suggestion is not a bad idea, but then I’m not aware of any good evidence that they are any better for your tender gland — just what people assume to the case based on their hunches.

I do know what causes ED – the same lifestyle that causes morbid obesity. Forget those handsome, slim, grey-haired actors on the TV commercials. The guys with that problem are the enormous, inactive guys on Harley Davidsons, not bicycle riders.

I hope you find something that works well for you. Do whatever you can that will keep you riding.

Ben

I agree with the site owner as I also used the Specialized Alias and it was fantastic compared to my old saddle. If riding is really important to you, it would be worth trying them until you find one that works.