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Cycling regularly makes you infertile?

Ashles

Pith Artist
Ashles
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Apr 28, 2003
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The '80s
I've been sent a link to this page on the This Morning website.

Cycling Saddles Men With Dodgy Sperm
The Sun - 30 June
Men who spend hours in the saddle could be making themselves infertile.
Scientists who studied triathletes found the more cycling training they undertook, the worse their sperm quality became.
Click to expand...

I'm getting sick of this. You try and get fit in one way and it ends up having undesirable effects in another.

Okay, it's from a daytime TV show (and based on a report in The Sun :rolleyes:), but Dr Chris Steele has been, as far as I know, usually quite sensible in the health advice he distributes.
It's of particular interest to me as I love to cycle and am hoping to also have kids.

Of course if it's true then it's fact and there's not much that can be done. I just wondered if anyone knew anything more about this?

ETA: Does it apply to regular cycling, or triathlete training levels of cycling?
 
I would think that all the performance drugs they take might also have an impact on fertility...

ETA: In this case of course it doesn't apply to regular cycling...
 
I've heared this a few times before. The explanation I remember is that the temperature is too high for the testicles. (Additional squishing and squeezing might also have a negative impact)
 
So essentially my vasectomy and PVPS was all for nothing. If the low sperm count is caused by the heat and squishiness of the scrotum wouldn't men who who drive long distances have the same problem? Or for that matter any man who sits for long periods at a desk. I wonder if it has something to with the constant leg movement pulling on the groin and epididymis or vas deferens
 
Heat is one problem- testicles are external to keep them cool.

But I had though the pressure of the seat against the base of the peins makes for impotence too. And maybe cause poor blood flow, leading to more heat buildup?

So maybe bikers ought to wear crotchless shorts? Or a mesh 'bra'? The special shorts they wear are padded, and have to be tight to hold the pad in place. Perhaps a "padded thong" might allow cool breezes?
 
Ashles said:
I'm getting sick of this. You try and get fit in one way and it ends up having undesirable effects in another.

Of course if it's true then it's fact and there's not much that can be done.
Click to expand...
Oh, you kids.

IF it's true, and IF you're cycling to get fit, it seems to me that the solution is simply to stand up while you're cycling. You probably get a better workout that way anyhow. Even if you're worried about knee or shin or ankle problems, cycling standing up has to be lower-impact than jogging.
 
Modified said:
Just mount up a comfy chair, like maybe a good office chair.
Click to expand...
Maybe a recumbent bike...

There is more information on the study here.
The research showed that those riding more than 180 miles a week had fewer than four per cent normal sperm. It means their chance of fatherhood is extremely low.

The more cycling training the sportsmen undertook, both in time and kilometers, the worse their sperm quality became.

The design of this particular study did not allow the scientists to isolate a single factor responsible for this problem, but Vaamonde believes that it is likely to be mainly due to either the irritation and compression caused by friction of the testes against the saddle, or the localised heat produced by wearing tight clothing.

However, she also believes that reactive oxygen species - small molecules that are a natural by-product of oxygen metabolism and which react to stress by increasing to such an extent that they can damage cell structures - and energetic imbalances may play an important role in the alterations in sperm that the team observed.
Click to expand...
So it looks to me like it's only really a problem if you're training for competition, not cycling for fitness, and even if it's a problem for you the problem should go away if you cut back your cycling (maybe play tennis instead) for a few weeks.
 
I've been into cycling for over a decade. In that time I have seen articles in various cycling publications flip-flop about whether saddles can cause ED and infertility. One month there will be "compelling evidence" that saddles are evil and destroy men, the next month there will be "compelling evidence" that they do nothing.

I find professional cyclists to be the most compelling evidence regarding the infertility thing. Look at how many of those guys have children, then remember that most of those guys spend hours upon hours a day training on a bike. I don't think some casual cycling for exercise or recreation is going to lower your sperm count.
 
MysteryMammal said:
Look at how many of those guys have children, then remember that most of those guys spend hours upon hours a day training on a bike.
Click to expand...
That's when "Jimmy the couch potato" stops by to "borrow a cup of sugar" from the Mrs...
 
I recall when a similar study came out a few years back, one which resulted in the market being flooded with "safe" saddles with grooves down the middle, or holes in the middle, or two separate pieces...
After a bit, another study indicated that perhaps the first study had not been properly conducted....

Most all the problems with cycling are caused by poor bike fit and set-up and poor riding technique. Many thousands of cyclists simply pop into a store, walk out with a bike, raise or lower the saddle a bit so it "feels right", and off they go.
I see them everyday; poorly fitted, bad technique, no knowledge of how to shift gears, etc, etc.
The industry tries; most shops will make at least some attempt to provide a bike that's about the right size. However only real enthusiasts are willing to spring for extra money for a professional fitting.
 
One thing you have to remember is that while there might be some science behind this somewhere, the guy who 'discovered' the effect was a bit over the top in his claims and seeking publicity like a junkie seeks heroin. Some of his claims were ridiculously over the top.
 
Andrewsarchus said:
So essentially my vasectomy and PVPS was all for nothing. If the low sperm count is caused by the heat and squishiness of the scrotum wouldn't men who who drive long distances have the same problem? Or for that matter any man who sits for long periods at a desk. I wonder if it has something to with the constant leg movement pulling on the groin and epididymis or vas deferens
Click to expand...

Ah, I wouldn't worry about it. Men in jobs are generally past the age of useful fertilization anyway, and are only interested in the squishiness, nicht var? ;)
 
The ischial tuberosicities, also known as the butt bones, or sit(ting) bones, support the bulk of your weight when sitting on a bike seat (saddle.)

Riding for a long time can cause pressure on various body parts, including the perineum (men: area between the anus and scrotum, women: area between anus and vulva) and can cause genital numbness. I'm not sure if it is this pressure which might cause lowered sperm count or infertility. Note: get up out of the saddle from time to time, as a form of stretching, so that blood can circulate freely, and to reduce constant pressure.

Use an anatomically/ergonomically designed saddle,
which among other things, has an anatomical cutout (groove) which eliminates contact with certain parts of you and your saddle.

Differences between men and women
There are differences between how men and women are built, one important example: men have a narrower pelvis with an upright position, women have wider hips with a forward-tilt to their pelvis. As a result, women need wider saddles to accommodate the wider distance between the ischial tuberocities. So, you should get a saddle which properly fits you, and uses the latest materials, and anatomical/ergonomically design methods.

Articles to consider reading:
Controversy and Confusion About Bicycle Saddles and Erectile Dysfunction

Selecting the Right Bicycle Seat
 
Lots of recreational cycling doesn't lead to impotence.
It may cause "dodgy sperm", but the l'il guys still show on cue. Ahhhhhhhhh!
 
Anecdotal evidence: I have been riding for a long time, and I have three (biological) wonderful children. (plus a wonderful step-child, but he's not relevant to the fertility topic, obviously) I have also had one case of prostatosis (sp?), with extended numbness and painful urination, but no difficulty in "performing", so to speak. A simple treatment by my doctor and all is well.

If you're going to do a lot of riding, invest in an anatomically correct saddle, make sure your bike fits you properly, and you should be fine. Any problems, see your doctor.

Yes, it CAN be a possible problem, but PROBABLY not. Just take appropriate simple precautions, and take action if a problem arises.
 
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This is old news that gets re-used every now and then. Like MysteryMammal says, flip a coin to guess which way the article will point. I haven't been convinced one way or another. I think I'll have a look at the research again, so thanks for the incentive. Still going to ride even if means my fellas vanish completely. :D

A bike with a saddle that fits your bottom properly and having your bicycle set up so that you're not in a weird position or being squished in bad ways will probably go a long way towards preventing these sort of things. I ride Brooks B17 saddles and find them super comfy - as close to perfect for me as I need. No problems yet.

ETA: The article that Ernie M posted about choosing a saddle is full of good advice. Thanks for the link! I'll pass it along when the subject comes up.
 
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When the study I mentioned came out, someone mentioned that the after-the-ride activities in the tent park during the annual RAGBRAI (Register Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) seemed to indicate no problems whatever....
 
I was an avid unicyclist for many years, and sat on my nuts until they would retract into my body cavity. I also raced skinny bikes with minimalist seats for a decade, occasionly experiencing a numbing of the penis. Nevertheless, I was able to impregnate both of my ex-wives.
 
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