Can cycling increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and cause prostate cancer?
Cycling remains a growing hobby, with statistics from Transport for London’s 2018 survey showing the highest growth in kilometres cycled since monitoring began. It’s a popular sport amongst both sexes but especially for a man of a certain age, sometimes described as the ‘MAMIL’ (middle-aged man in lycra).
There’s a growing number of articles on the effects cycling can have on men, both positive and negative, and it can be difficult navigating through all of the information online. There are three main questions that are commonly raised: why does cycling cause numbness and is there a long term risk? Can cycling cause erectile dysfunction? And is there a link between cycling and prostate cancer?
So are these health risks really linked to cycling or is it all just hearsay? Daniel Wells, co-founder of Fit Squad DXB looks at the three main issues of interest for male cyclists.
Numbness
Being perched on quite a small saddle, often badly fitted, and cycling for many hours can cause some numbness in that area. This is one common complaint from male cyclists, but experts such as urologist Anthony Koupparis claim this does not cause any major long term effects if you get it sorted. If you’re finding this issue persists it would be advised to have a new saddle fitted and to be guided by a specialist such as Wolfi's in Dubai to see if your bike is the right size for you. The reason the numbness occurs is due to pressure on the perineum and surrounding blood vessels - it’s a similar situation to waking up in the night after having laid on your arm and that being numb, it’s not a pleasant feeling. Increasing standing time whilst cycling, having the correct saddle and making sure your bike is the right size for you will really help.
Erectile Dysfunction
The good news is that most recent studies are finding no link between cycling and long term erectile dysfunction, although it can sometimes be an issue in the short term, post cycle. In general, studies show that cyclists have a decreased rate of serious health issues, and researchers say previous studies arguing cycling can cause erectile dysfunction relied on small samples, unlike the recent survey by the Department of Urology at the University of California which used a large pool of case studies and found no link between cycling and men's sexual and urinary function.
Prostate Cancer and Enlargement
Now this one is a little more confusing and it throws up conflicting information and data. One of the main issues with cycling and the effect it can have is with the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test which is a test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood which is a protein produced by your prostate. There is some evidence that trauma from cycling can irritate the prostate which can lead to prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and increased levels of PSA. The issue with these findings is that Prostate for Scotland found it may just be that male cyclists are more likely to have this test taken as apposed to men that don’t cycle due to numbness (as aforementioned), and in turn that worry leads to increased rates of investigation for prostate cancer. At the moment, various studies are concluding differing outcomes so there isn’t concrete evidence for or against cycling for men with regards to prostate cancer. Enlargement of the prostate however and potentially some negative PSA tests results are possible. Mayo Clinic says: Enlargement in itself isn’t necessarily linked to cancer but some health factors may occur such as: frequently needing to urinate, weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts. That being said, there are many benefits from cycling, such as: increased cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength and flexibility, decreased stress levels, improved joint mobility and all with no impact.
If you have any worries about any of these issues it is always best to seek medical advice from your GP.
Read next: Five ways to get the perfect night’s sleep
Fit Squad DXB trainers are here to help with any health, diet and fitness goals. Book your free consultation now by calling or WhatsApping us on +971 55 542 7231 or emailing us at info@fitsquaddxb.com