Where is my "little brother" ah???

"Aiyo, I can't feel my little brother!!!!" - How many times have you heard this statement from new cyclists and it always put a smile on your face, and you said to yourself, "Hahaha, I have gone through that before..." No wonder, many people had been warned not to take up cycling because the "little brother" will not be able to "wake up" and end up "mati pucuk".


When I experienced it, I wondered if I had over exerted as a beginner and started to adjust the saddle position. I even started to try out different ways of reducing the pressure at the groin area. Well, as for the "mati pucuk" warning, frankly there is some truth in it. But do read on, and find out more of how to still feel your "little brother" while cycling..

Taken from http://www.medicinenet.com

Bike riding is terrific aerobic exercise, a healthy and economical way to commute, and a great way to run errands, sightsee, and get around town. There is, however, a potential downside to biking; sitting on the bicycle seat may result in the compression of nerves and blood vessels of the vulnerable area of the body called the perineum. 

The perineum is the area between the anus and the base of the penis in males and between the anus and the vagina in females; it contains both blood vessels and nerves. Compression of the perineum can lead to nerve damage, swelling, artery insufficiency (lack of blood flow through the vessel), and even occlusion (blockage) of blood vessels, which in turn can lead to temporary or permanent groin numbness, tingling sensations, decreased penile blood supply, erectile dysfunction (impotence), decreased orgasm sensitivity, and pain. 


What can be done to prevent perineal symptoms?

The variables that contribute to perineal symptoms during biking are complicated, and so it may be that you need to experiment with different strategies until you find the right one for you. Here are a number of suggestions that may help reduce the risk of perineal symptoms.

1. Stand up frequently on the pedals to take pressure off the perineum.

2. Change your position on the saddle while biking. Shift forward and backward when you ride to eliminate pressure on just one part of the perineum.

3. Experiment with adjusting the angle of your saddle so that it tilts slightly downward.

4. Wear bike shorts. They have chamois padding in the perineal area that will help relieve pressure.

5. Adjust the height of your handlebars slightly until you find a comfortable position. Handlebars below the saddle may work well for road or racing bikes, but perhaps not as well for touring or hybrids.

6. Make sure that your seat post is adjusted to the proper height. Your knee should be just slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal cycle.

7. Limit the number of miles that you pedal. This may not be desirable for all riders, but number of miles per week can be a factor.