Important notice to all male cyclists

[martelpypie]

I colleague  of mine that is also in the medical field, asked me to tell all male cyclists about a problem that urologists are finding more common among male cyclists.

They are seeing more and more males with enlarged prostates due to cycling. Usually with an enlarged prostate, you may also experience urinary problems, but this is not the case in this instance.

The problem is totally reversible with treatments such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and rest.

The moral of the story, is that you have to have yourself checked out by a urologist on a regular basis.

 

Are there any of you out there, with similar problems?

 

[Gert Janse v Rensburg]

Had some problems a while back.... Cost me 15K to get it "checked out".... but it was the scariest 2weeks of my life.... they thought I had the big C....

Luckly I was cleared and just had to get a better saddle.... o that makes it 16400 SA ronds.....

[Johan Brits]

There is no problem in Zimbabwe - Thabo Mbeki

[linnega]

Perhaps the increased incidence is only because there are an increasing number of cyclists out there.  Quite a few long term studies that I have read the summaries of indicate their is no statistical difference between cyclists and non-cyclist with regard to prostate problems.  In fact, the increased physical activity of cyclists in general reduces the risk of prostate problems.  Always wary of these sorts of studies though as the sample selected can be affected by all sorts of other factors.

 

Nonetheless, good advice to get yourself checked out if there is any swelling downstairs.

[Gert Janse v Rensburg]

And as soon as there is blood involved run to the nearest one.... In my case it wasnt serious but it could have been really bad.....

[Sean Badenhorst]

Every Feb/March there's a front page newspaper story and associated lamp post bill claiming that cycling causes impotence and can lead to prostate problems or even cancer. The article usually quotes a local sexologist or urologist and doesn't offer any counter argument. I usually just email the offending newspaper some stats putting the record straight and attach pics of pro cyclists with their kids on podiums. Naturally, they never print my response. Can't stand one-sided journalism and medical articles not backed up by facts and stats...

 

Bottom line: Cycling does not cause impotence. Sedentary adult men are more prone to being impotent or having prostate issues than cyclists. Naturally, a good saddle and decent shorts are essential if you ride lots. And of course if you ride a heck of a lot, you never actually sit on your saddle, you just perch on it...

 

[turtlek]

i did have problems but i got it sorted out without even going to the doctor i went and got my bike setup changed and it made all the difference because most LBS's dont have the tools to do the setup properly and then not only do the more intricate and sensitive issues appear but knee problems and other cycling related problems occur which makes us scared of the sport so yes i do agree go and get it checked out by a doc but before you get into that situation get your bike setup done right

[Jules]

I suspect if there are any links between cycling and medical problems under the cycling shorts it is do with people who ride more than 15 hours a week and whose bikes are not properly set up.

 

 

 

Most of us fail to meet both criteria, so let's worry about more important things, such as who's gonna win the 2008 TdF

[turtlek]

jules a true cyclist is under your skin!!!! but seriously these are all common problems that get ignored and shouldnt

[BrokeSpoke]

A cardiologist died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart, covered in flowers, stood behind the casket during the service. Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket
rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever.

 

At that point, one of the mourners burst into laughter!

When confronted, he said: "I'm sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral-- I'm a gynecologist."

At that point, the proctologist fainted.

[martelpypie]

The important issue here is to have a regular prostate  checkup, when you approach 35yrs. What I mentioned earlier, is not cancer  but  rather an inflammation or swelling of the prostate that can lead to a chronic condition if not checked out and treated. This condition is symptom free and you will not know about it, until it becomes a real problem or is detected by a urologist during a routine checkup.

 

Any urologists  on this website that know more about it?

 

[Red Zone]

I can do without this -

[FreakishlySlow]

So, do you guys all ride saddles with that groove\hole in the middle?  I am planning on getting a new one.  Is it really worth spending R1500 on a groovy-saddle?

[Red Zone]

A firm saddle means that you sit on the bones in your but and not on your guys, I personally thing the groove is a gimmic. just get a nice hard seat.

[Johan Bornman]

Some people have been kinder that me in dismissing this recurring myth. It is absolute nonsense.

 

I remember in the late 1990s, Specialized drummed up the dubious expertise of a certain Dr Minke, who also came up with a study to show that men develop prostrate problems due to cycling. Specialized paid him to do the study and he pointed out that from his sample of swimmers and a sample of cyclists, the latter had more prostate problems than swimmers. Someone exposed him - the cyclists were all chosen from a sample of 50 year olds and the swimmers were mostly in their 20s.

 

Specialized used this propaganda to sell it's new slotted saddle which they claimed was new and patented and will create world peace and all. However, the slotted saddle as patented in the early 1900s in the US and was nothing new. If you research saddle history you'll see that the slotted saddle resurfaces every 20 years as a new innovation.

 

Finally, riding a bicycle doesn't put pressure on your prostate. If it does for you, simply fit a saddle to your seatpost. It'll help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ianrodger]

Ho-hum, not the cycling-prostate rubbish again..

As Johan rightly pointed out, cycling will only cause any problems for your prostate ifyou forgot to put the saddle on the seatpost.

The 'groovy' saddle is for the relief of pressure of nerves to the penis, and is useful for those prone to nerve compression. Only get one of those saddles if you experience this on your current saddle, but nerve compression could be due to any one of a host of setup issues and/or the saddle. The correct saddle is the one that feels most comfortable - it's impossible to predict which it will be, which can be an expensive process while you try them out.