Can Cycling Cause ED? The Relationship Between Saddles, Perineal Numbness, and Erections

You may cycle for your health and still feel worried when you see claims that long rides cause ED.

Research has not shown that everyone who cycles develops ED. Saddle pressure and numbness around the perineum or genitals have been reported, though. Rather than treating cycling itself as a proven cause, separate the uncertain ED evidence from symptoms and riding setup (Gan et al., 2021; Baran et al., 2014; Michiels & Van der Aa, 2015).

If you use BananaUp’s Other cardio, it should not be a Routine that asks you to ignore numbness or pain and keep adding time.

Other cardio

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Left: walk easily to warm up and cool down. Right: light jogging is one option for the main phase; brisk walking also works.

Jogging / brisk walking

Swing your arms naturally and lengthen your stride slightly.

Walking

Research on cycling and ED is not consistent

A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis compared 3,330 cyclists with 1,524 non-cyclists across six studies (Gan et al., 2021).

In unadjusted comparisons, there was no clear difference in ED rates or SHIM scores. After adjustment for age and some coexisting conditions, the odds of ED were higher among cyclists (odds ratio 2.00; 95% confidence interval 1.57–2.55). The studies varied, and this pooled observational result does not show that cycling caused ED (Gan et al., 2021).

The authors called for more research to identify whether particular groups of cyclists may be more vulnerable (Gan et al., 2021).

A 2015 review likewise found insufficient evidence either to prove or to rule out a simple causal relationship between cycling and ED (Michiels & Van der Aa, 2015).

Neither “cycling causes ED” nor “cycling is never related” is supported as a blanket conclusion. It is more practical to notice pressure and whether numbness occurs.

Do not ignore perineal numbness

A bicycle saddle places pressure on the perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus.

Perineal or genital numbness has been reported among male cyclists, although estimates vary across studies (Baran et al., 2014). Reports of numbness alone cannot identify the cause of ED or predict an individual’s future condition.

Numbness is not a sign that the exercise is working.

Avoid staying seated in the same position for a long time. When it is safe, stand off the saddle periodically to relieve pressure. If numbness or tingling starts during a ride, do not ignore it and keep going; get off the bike and stop the pressure. If numbness remains after the ride, pause cycling and rest rather than extending the session or rushing back to it (Litwinowicz et al., 2021; NIDDK, 2020).

Can changing the saddle help?

A review of ways to reduce perineal pressure examined saddle designs, riding position, and recumbent bikes (Litwinowicz et al., 2021).

Some studies found lower perineal pressure with no-nose saddles and recumbent bikes. Standing off the saddle periodically may also help, but the evidence is not equally strong for every strategy (Litwinowicz et al., 2021).

If numbness keeps returning, review the saddle’s shape, width, and angle, along with its height and fore–aft position and the handlebar setup. A professional bike fit may be useful for long-distance riders. No saddle shape is proven to prevent ED (NIDDK, 2020).

You do not have to avoid cycling as aerobic exercise

Cycling is one form of aerobic exercise. A review of trials in men with ED reported improved erectile-function scores with aerobic exercise, but that finding does not establish a cycling-specific effect (Khera et al., 2023).

The evidence does not mean that everyone needs to avoid cycling, but you also do not need to push through symptoms.

If cycling causes numbness, switch to another form of Cardio such as Walking or jogging. BananaUp also has Walking, Jogging / brisk [Walking](/en/routines/jogging-brisk-walking/), and Walking.

How to do Cycling 25

Choose a safe place where you can follow traffic rules and start gently. Keep to a comfortable pace that allows conversation. Treat 25 minutes as a target, not a requirement: do not stay seated in one posture just to finish, and stop if perineal numbness or pain, reduced genital sensation, or severe shortness of breath develops.

If numbness continues after the ride, stay off the bike and rest. Seek medical advice if pain or reduced sensation persists. Do not continue exercising through sudden severe pain or marked breathing difficulty; get appropriate medical help.

Interrupt the Routine if numbness continues

Do not assume that persistent numbness, pain, reduced sensation, or changes in erections or urination are caused only by cycling; discuss ongoing symptoms with a healthcare professional.

The Routine Finder includes aerobic options besides cycling. With 14-day tracking, you can distinguish days with Other cardio from days with another activity and review exercise, sleep, and your daily Condition.

How long does numbness after cycling last?

There is no universal safe recovery time for numbness around the perineum. If reduced sensation persists, recurs or accompanies urinary or erectile changes, stop cycling and seek medical advice. Changing a saddle is not a guarantee. For problems with erections, morning erections versus partnered sex may help describe the symptoms.