At some point, almost all cyclists have experienced numbness or discomfort in the genital area. This can be due to poor posture, an incorrect choice of saddle, or improper pressure on the perineum. If you practice road cycling, where you spend long hours in the same position, or you do MTB, where impacts are constant on your mountain bike, an anti-prostatic saddle can help you reduce pressure and prevent discomfort. Before choosing one, it is key to understand the causes of the problem and how to find the right saddle for each type of bike.

Why do my genitals go numb?

Men have the prostate connected to the genital area through the perineum. When we ride a bike, our body puts pressure on that area with the saddle, cutting off blood flow in the perineum. This causes a lack of sensitivity in the genitals. This problem can be more or less pronounced in different people, and it also depends on the bike's adjustments. It usually occurs more during long climbs.

What is the correct posture on the bike

A key point to avoid future injuries, to be comfortable and to achieve our maximum efficiency on the bike is to have it perfectly adjusted to us and our pedaling style. The right bike size, a handlebar and saddle set at the optimal height and position for our build is essential to relieve pressure on the saddle and distribute it properly among the three points of contact our body has with the bike, that is, saddle, grips and pedals. If you can't get the adjustment right or have doubts, it's recommended to see a biomechanical specialist. 

👉 Related: How to choose the correct bike size

Sometimes, tilting the nose of the saddle slightly downwards can help relieve some pressure from the perineal area and solve these problems. Also, a saddle that is too high or too far back, or a handlebar that is too far away or too low, forces pressure on the perineum and causes numbness.

Advantages of the anti-prostatic saddle

If after making the proper adjustments to our bike the problem persists, fortunately there are more alternatives: anti-prostatic saddles. These are saddles with an oval opening in the central area that prevent the body from putting pressure on the perineum when sitting on the bike. The main benefits of an anti-prostatic saddle are as follows:

• They relieve pressure from the perineal area, promoting blood flow to the genitals.
  
  
• They allow you to take longer rides or spend more time on the bike by reducing discomfort.

Don't make a mistake with the size

When buying an anti-prostate saddle, it is advisable to take the size into account. Not all saddles fit all cyclists. This component also comes in different sizes and widths. Choosing the wrong size can cause our body weight to fall on the perineum instead of the ischial bones, which are the bones we should be resting on when sitting on the bicycle. If we want to know our ideal saddle size, we must measure the distance between our ischial bones. The most common saddle widths are 130 mm, 143 mm, and 155 mm, like those used by Specialized. For example, its best-seller S-Worx Power comes in two sizes: 143 and 155 mm. Selle Italia divides its saddles into 2 families with 3 types in each. The S family corresponds to narrow saddles with widths between 131 mm and 135 mm. The L family corresponds to wider saddles ranging from 143 mm to 150 mm. Each of these families has 3 types of saddles, numbered from 1 to 3. This number indicates the size of the opening in the perineal area. Type 1 saddles have no central opening, type 2 have a small opening, and type 3 have a wider cutout. The latter are ideal for cyclists with a high degree of pelvic rotation.

Can I have prostate problems?

At this point, you may be wondering if continued cycling can cause prostate problems over time. In this regard, Dr. François Peinado, says the following: "There is no data linking prostate problems to cycling, but it is not recommended for patients who suffer from prostate inflammation, to avoid pelvic congestion and discomfort in the pelvic floor." We spend many hours on the bike, and these should be for enjoyment. We cannot afford to have discomfort or numbness, because these can be easily solved with an anti-prostate saddle. This is the most economical way to solve it, and if discomfort persists, a visit to a biomechanic will be a smart move.