Bicycle handlebar position affects female genital sensation

March 16, 2012 in Obstetrics & gynaecology

Bicycle handlebar position affects female genital sensation

Low handlebar positioning relative to the bicycle saddle is associated with increased perineal saddle pressure and decreased sensation in critical pelvic floor structures, according to research published online March 5 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

(HealthDay) -- Low handlebar positioning relative to the bicycle saddle is associated with increased perineal saddle pressure and decreased sensation in critical pelvic floor structures, according to research published online March 5 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Sarah N. Partin, M.S.P.H., of the Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station, and colleagues performed a sub-analysis on a group of 48 previously-studied competitive female cyclists who were nonpregnant, premenopausal women who rode at least 10 miles per week, four weeks per month. was measured in microns using biosthesiometry measures of vibratory thresholds. Perineal and total saddle pressures were determined using a specialized pressure map and recorded in kilopascals (kPA).

The researchers found that handlebars positioned lower than the saddle correlated with significantly increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased anterior vaginal and left labial genital sensation. No association was found between low handlebars and total saddle pressures or altered genital sensation in other areas. After adjusting for variables of age and saddle type, low handlebars were linked with significant increases in mean perineum saddle pressures (3.47 kPA) and anterior vagina vibratory threshold (0.86 microns).

"Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle were significantly associated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased genital sensation in female cyclists," the authors write.

More information: Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal reference: Journal of Sexual Medicine search and more info website

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

5 /5 (2 votes)  

Filter


Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.


Display comments: newest first

210
Mar 16, 2012

Rank: not rated yet
"Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle were significantly associated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased genital sensation in female cyclists," the authors write.

SO...I guess....that is 'good'...? Perhaps...it is good during riding...?!? Does it ...what does.... this mean and, or, what are you trying to tell the wary female, everyday, hardworking, intelligent person? Please., doctor, professor, brainiac, Sarah N. Partin, M.S.P.H., of the Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station???

word-to-the-muthas
Tausch
Mar 17, 2012

Rank: not rated yet
...10 miles per week...


At 20mph, this amounts to sitting on a saddle for four minutes, seventeen seconds and a seventh second, daily.

You will have spend thirty minutes sitting on a saddle after seven days.
You will have spend two hours sitting on a saddle after four weeks.

Distance traveled per month: Forty miles.
Distance traveled per day? Under a mile and a half a day.
Hint:(one seventh times ten equals miles traveled per day)

For genital sensation the time is too short - with, without, high or low handlebars.

My daily saddle/mileage pensum?
Two hours saddle time and sixty miles daily.
The cycle seat is crotchless - have no desire (pun intended)to share the same fate as Armstrong.
diego3rd
Mar 17, 2012

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Re 210: The study is saying that women who ride their bicycles with their handlebars positioned below the saddle have increased permanent sensation loss in the "anterior vaginal and left labial genital" areas. This is most likely due to the increased pressure on the genital area in this riding position.
baudrunner
Mar 19, 2012

Rank: not rated yet
By the way, who cares? And what is this ridiculous article doing here?
Derpina
Mar 24, 2012

Rank: not rated yet
"SO...I guess....that is 'good'...? Perhaps...it is good during riding...?!? "

No. Read the article again. A woman's ability to feel sexual stimulation (for the rest of their lives) is harmed if the handlebars are too low on her bike.

"By the way, who cares? "

Well, it's scientific and medical, so it's interesting, and it is also a significant worry female cyclists and those who care about them should consider.

"And what is this ridiculous article doing here?"

It's a big internet, and no one is forcing you to read this article.
Rank 5 /5 (2 votes)
Relevant PhysicsForums posts
  • Learning curve of Electromagnetism?
    created1 hour ago
  • thin glass in liquid
    created2 hours ago
  • How many joules expended for a push up?
    created5 hours ago
  • force to keep the folding doors
    created5 hours ago
  • Confusion regarding direction of kinetic friction on inclined plane.
    created6 hours ago
  • Mage hand
    created12 hours ago
  • More from Physics Forums - Classical Physics

More news stories

Women's reproductive ability may be related to immune system status

New research indicates that women's reproductive function may be tied to their immune status. Previous studies have found this association in human males, but not females.

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Breakthrough for IVF?

Elsevier today announced the publication of a recent study in Reproductive BioMedicine Online on 5-day old human blastocysts showing that those with an abnormal chromosomal composition can be identified by the rate at whic ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Non-communicable diseases account for half of adult female deaths in rural Bangladesh

While global attention has for decades been focused on reducing maternal mortality, population-based data on other causes of death among women of reproductive age has been virtually non-existent. A study conducted by researchers ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Turkish womb transplant woman's pregnancy terminated

Doctors have terminated the pregnancy of a 23-year-old Turkish woman who was the first ever to receive a uterus transplant from a dead donor, a hospital in southern Turkey said on Tuesday.

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study questions if bed rest prevents prematurity

New research is raising fresh concern that an age-old treatment for troubled pregnancies—bed rest—doesn't seem to prevent premature birth, and might even increase that risk.

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


New research identifies risks, interventions for children's GI health

An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).

US psychiatry gets makeover in new manual

The latest makeover to a massive psychiatric tome honored by some, reviled by others and even called the "Bible" of mental disorders is being released Saturday with a host of new changes.

New case of SARS-like virus in Saudi: ministry

A new case of the deadly coronavirus has been detected in Saudi Arabia where 15 people have already died after contracting it, the health ministry announced on Saturday on its Internet website.

AIDS science at 30: 'Cure' now part of lexicon

Big names in medicine are set to give an upbeat assessment of the war on AIDS on Tuesday, 30 years after French researchers identified the virus that causes the disease.

For combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, 'fear circuitry' in the brain never rests

Chronic trauma can inflict lasting damage to brain regions associated with fear and anxiety. Previous imaging studies of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, have shown that these brain regions can over-or ...

New colonoscope provides ground-breaking view of colon

A ground-breaking advance in colonoscopy technology signals the future of colorectal care, according to research presented today at Digestive Disease Week(DDW). Additional research focuses on optimizing the minimal withdrawal ...