Female cyclists:
How to Protect Your Sexual Health When Riding ?
Previous studies have shown that
riding a bicycle regularly can take a serious toll on men's sexual health, and
new research from Yale University in the US suggests the same holds true for women.
This week, the New York Times reported
on a recent study that had one major finding: the lower the handlebars, the
greater the trouble for women.
If a woman has to lean forward more to
reach low handlebars, she is putting more pressure on sensitive areas, which
can lead to numbness and potentially cause sexual dysfunction.
The study, published last month,
tested 48 women, each a dedicated rider who pedaled a minimum of 10 miles (16
km) a week, but often much more. Researchers noted that riders who lean
forward, flatten their backs and place their hands on the “drop bars” of a
bicycle, aiming for a more aerodynamic position, reported more problems with
numbness in the pelvic area.
While raising the handlebars seems a logical
solution (though not an easy one for serious riders), female riders, like male
riders, may also face problems with the seat.
While more research needs to be done
on female cyclists, Steven M. Schrader, a scientist at the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health, suggests that one way to reduce the
pressure on the perineum, a part of the body he said was never meant to
withstand sustained pressure, is to use a bicycle saddle without a nose --
which lack the sleekness of a standard seat but could spare you some agony.
While Schrader's prior research on
these types of seats with male riders has shown positive results, he suggests
the seats might benefit women as well. “If you don’t put weight there,” he told
the New York Times,
“there’s no pressure.” (Source : AFP Relaxnews)
For some no-nose saddle
models, check out :
and others at HealthyCycling.
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