Cycling ups women’s risk of vaginal irritation and thrush
- Riding a bike can cause vaginal infections and bladder problems, warns expert
- The vulva bears as much as 40% of a woman’s body weight when cycling
- Pain and numbness and lead to ‘sexual dysfunction’ for some females
- Warning comes as more women are having ‘saddle surgery’ on their labia
- Head of physio at British Cycling gives his tips for less drastic measures to help
Claudia Tanner For Mailonline
7
View
comments
We are told that cycling is good for us – it’s a low-impact exercise that’s easier on your joints than running.
But for women, the activity increases their risk of nasty infections and can negatively impact their sex lives.
That’s according to a leading gynaecologist, who says the pressure of biking can also cause swelling of the labia (the inner and outer folds), vaginal irritation and bladder problems.
IThis happens because the vulva bears as much as 40 per cent of a woman’s body weight when cycling, as Cycling UK explain.
Pradnya Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology told Metro all cyclists – male and female – will suffer some discomfort in their nether regions.
An expert warns cycling can cause skin infections and urinary tract infections (file)
But for women it appears the effects of the hobby are beyond getting a little saddle sore.
Mrs Pisal said: ‘All cyclists, male and female, have problems related to the genitalia.
‘For women cyclists, the most common problems are chafing, saddle sores, skin sensitivity and numbness, labial enlargement, vaginal irritation and infection (thrush and bacterial vaginosis), skin infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs).’
-
The 12-year-old girl battling with ‘tree man’ disease that…
‘Early menopause at 35 has hardly been fun. I have my down…
How working more than 55 hours a week raises your risk of…
Trendy black ice cream messes with your birth control:…
For women who already have asymmetrical or enlarged labia, this can exacerbated skin problems, she explained.
Sexual dysfunction
Indeed, previous research backs up Mrs Pisal’s comments.
A study by scientists at Yale University School of Medicine in 2016 which was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found cycling more than 100 miles a week caused ‘significant reduction’ in genital sensation.
It also reported a notable increase in pain and numbness, leading to ‘sexual dysfunction’ for some.
Vaginal thrush, a common yeast infection, can be extremely irritating and difficult to treat as for some women it can keep coming back.
While it isn’t classed as an STI, it can be passed back and forth between sexual partners.
Lower UTIs aren’t usually a cause for major concern, but upper UTIs can be serious if left untreated, as they could damage the kidneys or spread to the bloodstream.
Women who are suffering these problems should not let embarrassment stop them seeking help from their GP, urged Mrs Pisal.
Rising number of women having ‘saddle surgery’
Experts say there is a rising number of women opting for major surgery in their nether regions to allow them to ride their bicycles comfortably.
Dubbed ‘saddle surgery’, the painful procedure involves cutting off part of the inner labia – or labia minora – to stop them from rubbing and being pinched against the seat of their bicycles.
Harley Street surgeon Angelica Kavoumi says she consults around nine women about it a week – compared to three women a week just a year ago.
The procedure has become very popular over the last six years,’ she previously told FEMAIL.
She insists women are not so much opting for labioplasty in a quest for ‘designer vaginas’.
‘For most women, it is an issue of comfort,’ she explained. ‘It’s not about body image; it has more to do with sport and quality of life.’
TIPS FOR FEMALE CYCLISTS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR INTIMATE PARTS
If you’re an avid cyclist suffering discomfort but don’t want to go under the knife, there are less drastic measures you can take.
In his book, Bike Fit, Phil Burt, head of physio at British Cycling, says investing in a decent padded cycle seats and padded shorts could help reduce the damage in the long-run.
It was once thought women need a wider saddle than men because our child-bearing able hips are further apart.
But a saddle can be too wide, causing chaffing on the inner thighs after a long ride, he explains.
Women often prefer cutaway or anatomic saddles with a hole carved out of the middle which aim to relieve pressure on their neither region.
But he says this can redistributing the pressure to the sides and make the pain there even worse, causing numbness.
He also says getting the saddle of your angle right is key – tip it slightly downwards if it doesn’t feel right after a good few miles.
Making sure your bike fits you properly and keep clean by making sure you wash your shorts after every ride is important too.
And invest in some friction reducing cream: Mr Burt says emollients are better than basic petroleum jelly.
Share or comment on this article
-
ISIS militants are thrown to their deaths and shot where… -
Tragic arranged-marriage bride, 18, killed herself after… -
Nude Orleans! More than 1,000 kinky couples arrive for… -
Victim screamed in agony as moped thieves squirted acid… -
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’m with my dead husband’s brother for my… -
Teenage girl, 19, and two 17-year-old boys ‘forced a… -
Would you give this man a job? Unemployed father, 19,… -
First ladies of fashion! Melania Trump and Brigitte… -
Hands above the table! The Trumps and the Macrons dine at… -
Ivanka Trump beams as she networks with new billionaire… -
Schizophrenic killer’s ‘accomplice’ arrested: Drug dealer… -
‘Konta is doing that magic trick where she changes… -
That’s one BIG withdrawal! Contractor trapped INSIDE a… -
Attack of the slime eels! Truck carrying 7,500lbs of the… -
Isle take it! Historic Scottish castle with two HUGE… -
‘Largest medical fraud takedown in American history’:… -
‘He was nervous and panicked’: Thai police chief claims… -
C’est magnifique! Melania Trump dusts off her French…
Comments 11
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.