Smokers and consumers of alcohol are all familiar with the phrase “May Lead to Impotency” in reference to their choice of “recreational activity.” Now, however, bicyclists may start seeing the aforementioned phrase on bicycle seats.
For years now, the theory of linking cycling to impotency has been strongly contested among medical researchers and bicycle manufacturers alike. All that may change soon.
A recent study performed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has found that bicycling may cause erectile dysfunction for males. The research was done in May 2000 by the NIOSH on 29 biking officers and out of the 15 officers questioned, 14 reported experiencing numbness around the genital region.
The NIOSH further conducted their study and found that these men experienced some kind of erectile dysfunction as a result of bicycling. Among the reasons the NIOSH concluded for causing the problem was the pressure applied by the rider to the bicycle seat.
The notion that the hardness and shape of the bicycle seat could lead to impotency is not a new idea. Over the years, researchers have tried to come up with a better and more comfortable bicycle seat that may lessen the threat of impotency. The result was a seat that isn’t a dome but instead a curved seat with a v-shape.
An example of the shape would be the Body Geometry bike seat that many newer models of bicycles have. According to a report on Healthcentral.com in March 1999 by Dr. Dean Edell, studies have shown that the usage of the new shaped bicycle seat had given a number of men who were experiencing erectile dysfunction, complete relief.
Some bicyclists agree with the use of Body Geometry seats. Pete Sexton, a floor salesman for Out-n-About Gear, had been bike riding for years with a normal seat until he took the possibilities of these dangers more seriously three years ago.
“The old bike seat was less comfortable but since I switched over to a Body Geometry Seat, I have experienced no problems,” Sexton said.
Sexton also added that large quantities of new bicycles that come in nowadays are equipped with a Body Geometry seat or a seat with a similar shape. Fitzharris Bike & Sport manager Mark Bruemmer says that customers are usually encouraged to try every kind of seat out before purchasing one. He stresses to his customers to use seats that generally feel comfortable around the genital region.
“Almost all the seats we (Fitzharris Bike & Sport) have are similar to the Body Geometry Seat. So far we have not had any customers complain about it,” Bruemmer said.
Since the research has been published however, the NIOSH has pointed out, however, that their conclusion was solely based on their study on the bicycle policemen and that their findings should not be taken as pure fact.
Michael Wilson, a bicycle mechanic at Granite City Schwinn, agrees. He has recommended the use of the Body Geometry Seat to customers who have complained about numbness in their genital region but for his own personal use, he is quite content with his old fashioned seat.
“I have been riding seriously for six years and haven’t experienced any problems,” Wilson said.
For further information on the research done by the NIOSH, log on to www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html.
