does cycling affect the level of papapa
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Author: Wuyan Zu (@Codoon Running)
In a previous article, Cycling Hero invited Wuyan Zu to discuss with everyone, 'Where should men place their little ding-ding while cycling?' Subsequently, some readers left messages for Cycling Hero, saying they had read articles claiming that traditional bicycle seats could affect sexual performance, and that violent cycling could even instantly 'disable' a man's sexual function. Is this true? Therefore, Cycling Hero once again invited Codoon's representative editor @Wuyan Zu to discuss this topic with everyone.
In the cycling community, there have always been numerous rumors about cycling affecting sexual function. Some even cite Lance Armstrong's testicular cancer as evidence. Is cycling really that terrifying? Does cycling truly affect men's sexual performance?
Let's first talk about Lance Armstrong. Although his Tour de France titles were stripped, Wuyan Zu still admired him for many years.
Whenever there are rumors online about cycling affecting male sexual function or inhibiting testosterone secretion, they often follow with: 'For example, former Tour de France cyclist Lance Armstrong had testicular cancer, etc.' It seems like Armstrong = testicular cancer = cycling affects sexual function is taken as a theorem. But how much correlation is there between Armstrong's cancer and his profession? No article has ever dared to give a 100% definitive conclusion on this.
Cancer is a complex bodily disease, and current medical conditions cannot accurately diagnose the cause of cancer. Human pathological research and clinical observations consistently believe that malignant tumors are essentially genetic diseases.
However, genetic factors in the human body do not directly induce malignant tumors. 80% of malignant tumors are caused by environmental and behavioral influences.
Medical scientists categorize these environmental and behavioral factors into external and internal factors.
External factors mainly include:
- Chemical factors, such as illegal food additives;
- Physical factors, such as ionizing radiation;
- Biological factors, such as cancers caused by malignant bacteria and viruses.
Internal factors mainly include:
- Genetic factors: Cancer itself is not hereditary, but genetic factors can increase the tendency of the body to develop tumors.
- Immune factors: For example, kidney disease can lead to immune function defects, inducing cancer.
- Endocrine factors, such as breast cancer in women.
These are the explanations Wuyan Zu found regarding the causes of cancer. Although quite dry, we can conclude from them that cycling is not a factor inducing testicular cancer.
So, does cycling really affect sexual function?
We cannot deny that cycling does impact the crotch area. For all male friends who have cycled, the most direct physical pressure during cycling comes from the crotch. Sitting on a traditional triangular bicycle seat for a long time inevitably causes the crotch to be pressed by the protruding 'nose' of the seat. This is not just for men; both men and women will feel soreness and numbness in the perineal area.
Many men must have felt this while cycling:After cycling for a while, the crotch seems a bit numb, and you have to stop to let your little ding-ding rest for a while.
Does this mean that cycling really has a negative impact on sexual function?
First, we need to clarify that even the healthiest exercise, if done excessively or incorrectly, can cause physical damage. For example, running, football, and basketball can all cause knee, ankle, and other joint injuries due to incorrect posture. This also applies to cycling.
However, we should not give up on cycling because of this and use it as an excuse to stay lazy at home. Moreover, most of us are not professional cyclists who ride hundreds of kilometers daily. For our level of cycling, there shouldn't be any major problems.
Nevertheless, paying attention to some details is always good, and incorrect cycling can indeed have some negative impacts on our bodies. Therefore, Wuyan Zu has a few small suggestions for cycling enthusiasts:
1. Choose the right bike
When choosing a bicycle, be sure to select one that suits your height, or adjust the bicycle according to your own situation.
2. Adjust the seat
If the seat is too high and the rider is short, it not only causes discomfort in posture but also leads to constant friction between the perineum and the seat during long rides. Especially if the front of the seat is high, causing the rider's center of gravity to shift backward, and the road is bumpy, it can severely jolt the bike, stimulating the perineum and causing congestion, swelling, and damage to the prostate. Therefore, pay attention to choosing and adjusting the seat.
A comfortable seat position should be level or slightly tilted downward. If the seat is tilted upward, even the best material seat will press on the arteries of the buttocks.
Especially for those who like long-distance cycling, it's best to choose wider seats. A larger seat area supports the pelvis, without affecting other parts.
If the seat is too hard, you can wear cycling shorts and add a seat cover to reduce friction on the perineum.
Adjust the height and angle of the seat. If the seat is too high, it increases the lateral movement of the buttocks while cycling, causing pressure and friction on the perineum. If the front of the seat is tilted upward, it is more likely to damage the perineum.
3. Stand up frequently while cycling and change riding positions
While cycling, you can often stand up to promote blood flow. When cycling for a long time, change your riding position to shift your body's center of gravity, preventing prolonged pressure on one point of the perineum.
In summary, healthy and moderate cycling will not affect your 'sexual happiness.' On the contrary, Wuyan Zu believes that cycling and other exercises can make you healthier. A healthy body will make you more confident, and confidence will make you 'want more.'
Moreover, cycling can strengthen your core and lower body, making you more energetic, increasing blood flow, and promoting cardiovascular health—both of which have been scientifically proven to benefit your sex life. Researchers at Duke University found that men who exercise for 30 minutes a day, four days a week, are two-thirds less likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction compared to those who are sedentary.
So, you know what to do.
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