As an avid cyclist, I read with interest and some concern last week’s Polish research indicating that male bikers are at risk for erectile dysfunction and possibly infertility.
Biking can exert strain on the Alcock canal (yep, that is its true name), a region of the male anatomy that contains nerves and arteries that feed the genital area, resulting in loss of feeling and other issues.
According to the Boston School of Sexual Medicine, cycling can also cause local atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that could, over time, limit the blood supply to this vital organ.
This is not a minor concern, as the number of cyclists is increasing. According to the organization Cycling UK, in 2018, 11% of British adults rode at least once per week, a number that is expected to increase to 20% (almost 11 million) by 2020. Moreover, surveys indicate that the majority of them are men, but this disparity is diminishing.
How plausible are the risks? There are both good news and terrible news.
When researchers from the New England Research Institutes surveyed more than 1,700 American men about their cycling habits, they discovered that men who cycled for less than three hours per week (that’s me) not only did not have a problem but that moderate levels of cycling appeared to be positively beneficial for their sex lives, with a 40% lower risk of erectile dysfunction than those who never cycle. Hurrah!
The bad news for avid cyclists was that they were 70% more likely than non-cyclists to have moderate or severe erectile dysfunction.
There is some indication that women who spend a great deal of time in the saddle can develop urinary tract infections, albeit this does not appear to hurt their sexual lives.
(In the interim, my middle-aged male cycling-enthusiast pals unanimously advise moving to saddles with a shorter ‘nose,’ or better none at all.)
Even though erectile dysfunction is a frequent and distressing condition among men, cycling is not among the primary causes.
Neither is wearing tight pants, contrary to popular opinion. Yes, if you wear extremely tight pants for lengthy periods, you may limit the blood flow to your vital organs, but I can’t locate any specific research on this, and it doesn’t appear to have slowed Sir Mick Jagger down.
The majority of cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by smoking (which doubles your risk), high blood pressure (which also doubles your risk), excessive drinking, being overweight, and stress – all of which alter blood flow, nerve sensitivity, or hormones such as testosterone.
Stop smoking, lose weight, drink less, lower your blood pressure, and try to control your stress if you have erectile dysfunction or wish to prevent it.
In addition, consuming a diet similar to that of the Mediterranean, cleaning your teeth, and avoiding certain medications such as antihistamines (for allergies) and nasal decongestants are beneficial (especially those that contain pseudoephedrine). Research on 250 Greek males with high blood pressure, conducted at the University of Athens in 2021, provides evidence of the health benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet.
They found that males who consumed a diet rich in fish, nuts, fruit, vegetables, and olive oil not only had higher testosterone levels and healthier blood vessels but also better erectile function (the latter assessed using the Sexual Health Inventory for Men, essentially a questionnaire).
According to the experts, a Mediterranean diet enhances blood flow and maintains appropriate testosterone levels.
According to a 2018 study conducted by Jinan University in China, men with gum disease are roughly three times more likely to experience impotence than those with healthy gums. One idea suggests that gum disease can result in extensive inflammation that destroys blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the brain.
And antihistamine and pseudoephedrine-containing medications? These medications are common at this time of year among those with hay fever or stuffy noses, but they can also have a short-term effect on a man’s libido.
This is because antihistamines operate by preventing the action of histamine, a substance found in cells that causes allergic symptoms; yet, histamine is also essential for good erections, whereas pseudoephedrine can promote constriction of the blood vessels.
There is a long list of medications that can cause impotence difficulties; if you are concerned, consult your doctor.
Moreover, male bikers should be aware that riding can increase PSA levels in the short term.
Checking PSA levels is a method for identifying prostate cancer, and according to a 2013 study published in the journal PLoS One, cyclists’ PSA levels increased by roughly 10 percent after a long-distance ride. Researchers from the Victorian Institute of Sport in Australia recommend avoiding riding between 24 and 48 hours before a PSA test to avoid skewed findings.
If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are aware that there are few effective medications available. A recent study demonstrating the efficacy of a feces transplant is therefore encouraging.
Here, donor feces are filtered, mixed with water, and then put into a patient’s digestive tract via colonoscopy.
This effectively drops an army of beneficial gut microorganisms into the patient’s big intestine to tackle any pathogens. It has been demonstrated to be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.
Research conducted at the Stord Hospital in Norway revealed that three years following their transplants, the majority of patients were much better, with significantly less discomfort and a vastly enhanced quality of life.
It appears that feces is a treatment that we can’t smell the roses for.
The Incas venerated llamas, which they used for wool, transportation, food, and even fuel. Llamas are great, loving animals (their dung).
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that a llama named Wally began manufacturing potent proteins (called nanobodies) that neutralized all existing Covid-19 variants after contracting the Covid virus.
These nanobodies can be mass-produced without the use of llamas, and after human testing, it is hoped that sufficient quantities may be manufactured to combat future epidemics.
