Special Bicycle Seat May Prevent Erectile Dysfunction in Men

Want to keep your sex life and your bicycle? New research reveals that men should consider buying a noseless seat.

A innovative study published in this month’s issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine examined if noseless bike seats would be effective against erectile dysfunction and groin numbness caused by traditional bicycle seats with a protruding nose extension.  The research revealed that men who switched from regular bike seats to noseless saddle seats had improved penile sensation and a reduction in erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Results from this research may be useful for all male recreational cyclists to alleviate perineal discomfort, potential erectile dysfunction and maintain sexual health.

The study tracked 90 bicycling police officers from 5 metropolitan regions in the United States.  The officers were evaluated using traditional saddles and then again after six months of using the noseless bicycle seat.  The noseless saddle seat reduces contact pressure in the perinieal region by cradleing the buttocks and providing freedom in the front.

Before switching seats, 82% of the 90 officers reported penile numbness while cycling.  After switching to the noseless saddle seats, only 27% reported numbness in the groin.

The findings show that use of the noseless saddle resulted in a reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal region and significant improvement in penile tactile sensation.  Use of the noseless saddle also resulted in significant increases in erectile function as assessed by the initial evaluation, but there were no significant changes to penile rigidity during sleep.  Officers who reported erectile dysfunction before switching saddles saw an improvement in the longevity of their bedroom encounters.

Most bicycle police officers were able to effectively use no-nose saddles in their police work, and 97 percent of officers completing the study continued to use the no-nose saddle afterward.

Researchers concluded that No-nose saddles are a useful intervention for bicycling police officers alleviating pressure to the groin and improving penis health. Different saddle designs may require some re-learning of ‘how to ride a bicycle,’ but the health benefits to having unrestricted vascular flow to and from the penis and less penile numbness is self-evident.

• Only the nose knows: penile hemodynamic study of the perineum-saddle interface in men with erectile dysfunction utilizing bicycle saddles and seats with and without nose extensions.
• Cycling and penile oxygen pressure: the type of saddle matters.
• Bicycle riding and erectile dysfunction: an increase in interest (and concern).
• Digital three-dimensional modelling of the male pelvis and bicycle seats: impact of rider position and seat design on potential penile hypoxia and erectile dysfunction.
• Erectile dysfunction after a long-distance cycling event: associations with bicycle characteristics.