A Study Has Found: Can bicycle seats lower a woman’s libido?
Men may not be the only ones who suffer from below-the-belt issues related to sitting on a bicycle seat. Ladies, your goods could be at risk, too, according to a new study.
Previous studies have shown that prolonged bike seat sitting can lead to erectile dysfunction in men. Now, researchers have found that women who spend a lot of time in the saddle could lose sensation in their genitals.
The study, as reported by The New York Times, was conducted on women who rode their bicycles at least 10 miles per week, and four weeks per month. During the study, the women alerted the researchers when they felt numbness or soreness. They also used a device that measured sensation in the pelvic floor as the women pedaled.
Researchers found that women who positioned their handlebars lower than their seats often had more pressure against the soft tissue area known as the perineum. This resulted in a decreased vaginal sensation. Ouch.
However, women cyclists can take steps to salvage their sexual health! As a result of the study, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends a “no-nose” bike seat for female riders. It helps women shift pressure to their sit bones, rather than the perineum. So ladies, sit back and enjoy the ride.
More adventures in psuedoscience:
- Forget happy meals — a study says fast food is actually linked to depression.
- Now for some above-the-belt news for women. Is early breast cancer over-diagnosed?
- And if you’re still worried about cycling, here are the top 25 cities for walking.
