Guy Issues 'down there'

[WindingRoad]

This may seem a little weird asking 'the girls' about guy issues but it's a bit awkward going up to my guy cycling friends and asking how their prostate glands hold up on long rides :o

I was curious if any of your hubbies or boyfriends have ever developed a prostate infection as a result of riding a long ride (century in this case)? Well 'MrX' has developed a bad prostate gland infection and is currently being treated with several rounds of antibiotics but the infection is still hanging on. He has felt bad for about a month now because apparently that specific tissue is difficult by nature to treat? Not sure how or why but this is what the doctors say.

Do you think that a specific seat would help him out? I personally use the cutout seats and find them very comfortable. Maybe there is more to the cutout for men than the comfort factor?

I'm a bit worried about 'MrX' and would hate for him to stop riding because of this. He's just getting started, still under one year, and really enjoys cycling aside from this problem he has encountered.

[Zen]

I have neither a "hubby" or boyfriend so can't help you by proxy.

I'm sure you/he will find answers on some of the more male-centric sites like BikeForums (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=256)

[sgtiger]

WindingRoad, Zen's suggestion is a good one. Here's just a sample of the posts I was able to find just by putting in prostate in their search bar:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=538976&highlight=prostate
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=540946&highlight=prostate
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=545911&highlight=prostate

You might be able to find a better thread to answer you question by narrowing your search or have Mr.X ask his question over there. It doesn't seem like it's that unusual of a problem and they seem to take that line of question seriously.

[Miranda]

I didn't look at the BikeForum post listed in this thread. But, that's a good tip. Men in general I think do not talk about these things like women do. We are poked and proded from the early on get go with baby bearing parts. Mucho guys are suppose to be just tough and take it, ya know:rolleyes:.

A good urologist should help. Sometimes going to a specialist really does the trick. I have one. Huge diff from the family doc. No insult intended to the later. Just sayin.

Does his bike fit? I mean really??? I painfully (physically and financially) finally figured out mine did not. If there is not a good fitter close... travel for it. Geek out the services well. In the end it's really SO worth it.

Sending best of luck wishes!

[Mr. Bloom]

I've had many prostate infections...none since I've been riding...frankly, none since I was in my early 30's.

My first impression/response:
- is it an infection or simply enlarged - in my experience, the symptoms are similar. Of course, the doc can determine this by examining a sample, but an enlarged prostate can be the result of excess caffeine, most cold/allergy medications.... after you've had an infection, you tend to characterize all the symptoms as an infection.
- there can be certain habits that men develop that can increase risk of actual prostate infections. If you can't find anything on the web or webmd, drop me a PM and I'll set them out there.

[Christopher]

hi

No, I don't have any issues, even on centuries & use split saddles, more for perenium relief than anything else.

[Andrea]

My BF uses a Selle SMP saddle because he was having issues with numbness. It works well for that- it's supposed to be good for relieving prostate pressure, too.

After he sees a urologist, a new saddle/bike fit are probably a good idea.

[Biciclista]

Is he riding a bike saddle with a cutout? If not, get him one ASAP.

There is definitely more to it than comfort for men. There have been many scientific studies showing nerve damage and impotence caused by bike saddles so get him a nice new saddle. My husband loves his Sella AN-Atomica.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Is he riding a bike saddle with a cutout? If not, get him one ASAP.

There is definitely more to it than comfort for men. There have been many scientific studies showing nerve damage and impotence caused by bike saddles so get him a nice new saddle. My husband loves his Sella AN-Atomica.

My husband loves his too. :)

[PscyclePath]

Most of the readily available info on men vs. bike saddles deals with inflation of a slightly different nature... the stuff that that super-obnoxious commercial for "Enzyte" that OLN used to run incessantly during the Tour de France broadcasts deals with.

But pounding from the bike seat can cause inflammation of the urethra (traumatic urethritis) in both guys and gals, as well as prostatic hypertrophy, or an enlarged prostate in guys. The symptoms sound a lot like what your friend is complaining of; he may have a little of both problems. Finding a saddle that's comfortable while relieving as much pressure as possible on the perineum is a big part of the solution, as is a good pair of cycling shorts with a chamois. During long rides, take a couple of breaks off the bike, or at least stretch and get up out of the saddle when on the road to provide a little break down there on the point of contact...

I haven't experienced any of those problems, despite riding a lot and using a fairly hard saddle without cut-outs. Maybe I've been lucky so far.

[Mr. Bloom]

Tom raises a good point:

For long rides, I wear shorts that cost $1/mile. So, for super long rides, I'm wearing my most expensive shorts