pudendal nerve problems

[Chris Smith]

HI All,
First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop
that.

I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I
tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained
slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure on
the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
else to minimize the pressure problem?

Thanks
Chris

[archer]

In article >,
says...
> HI All,
> First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop
> that.
>
> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I
> tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained
> slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure on
> the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
> else to minimize the pressure problem?

I had the same issue.

First, make sure your seat is either level or the nose slightly lower
than the back. Nose-up will do this all the time.

Second (which worked for me): get a seat with a cutout in the center to
take the pressure off your soft tissues, leaving it only on your "sit"
bones. I really like my Specialized body geometry seat (I don't remember
the exact model), but which seat works for any given individual is a
highly personal decision, often requiring much experimentation.


--
David Kerber
An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good
Lord, it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

[Rick Onanian]

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, Chris Smith >
wrote:
> HI All,
> First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't
> stop that.

I'm too lazy to look up "pudendal nerve", so you're in luck. <G>

> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I
> tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed slight
> numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure the
> pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
> else to minimize the pressure problem?

Yes. Possible adjustments, in the order I'd guess they'd be effective:

Shorts -- Not wearing proper bike shorts? They're rather comfortable,
and not as embarassing as you think (and you could put loose shorts
over them, or even get loose bike shorts). Get them. Even cheap ones
help -- Dick's Sporting Goods is a chain store that has useful bike
shorts for $30. Better shorts are cheaper on sale at LBS sometimes or
online.

Saddle -- The saddle may just be the wrong shape / materials for
you. Still, instead of blowing money, try adjustments first.

Saddle tilt -- Too far up and it's pushing up; too far down and you
slide forward until your weight is on your crotch on the nose

Handlebar position -- Too low and you bend forward too much, exposing
only your crotch to the saddle. Too high and your back is vertical,
so your crotchtal area is unsupported (unless you wear proper cycling
shorts).

> Thanks
> Chris
--
Rick Onanian

[Chris Smith]

HI Guys,
Thanks so much for the tips. I'm wearing proper riding shorts (not a pretty
sight with my scrawny legs!!
Chris
"archer" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, says...
> > On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, Chris Smith >
> > wrote:
> > > HI All,
> > > First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't
> > > stop that.
> >
> > I'm too lazy to look up "pudendal nerve", so you're in luck. <G>
> >
> > > I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or
so, I
> > > tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed
slight
> > > numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure the
> > > pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
> > > else to minimize the pressure problem?
> >
> > Yes. Possible adjustments, in the order I'd guess they'd be effective:
> >
> > Shorts -- Not wearing proper bike shorts? They're rather comfortable,
> > and not as embarassing as you think (and you could put loose shorts
> > over them, or even get loose bike shorts). Get them. Even cheap ones
> > help -- Dick's Sporting Goods is a chain store that has useful bike
> > shorts for $30. Better shorts are cheaper on sale at LBS sometimes or
> > online.
>
> My personal experience is that shorts don't affect numbness, but will
> affect irritation, chafing, and other sources of discomfort. As usual,
> YMMV.
>
>
> > Saddle -- The saddle may just be the wrong shape / materials for
> > you. Still, instead of blowing money, try adjustments first.
> >
> > Saddle tilt -- Too far up and it's pushing up; too far down and you
> > slide forward until your weight is on your crotch on the nose
> >
> > Handlebar position -- Too low and you bend forward too much, exposing
> > only your crotch to the saddle. Too high and your back is vertical,
> > so your crotchtal area is unsupported (unless you wear proper cycling
> > shorts).
>
> These are all good suggestions; I had forgotten to mention some of them
> in my post.
>
>
> --
> David Kerber
> An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good
> Lord, it's morning".
>
> Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

"Chris Smith" > wrote in message
...
> HI All,
> First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't
stop
> that.
>
> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I
> tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained
> slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure
on
> the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
> else to minimize the pressure problem?


Check out this article on bicycle seat neuropathy:
http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic12.htm
--Tock

[David L. Johnson]

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 +0000, Chris Smith wrote:

> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I
> tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained
> slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure
> on the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or
> something else to minimize the pressure problem?

You need to make sure the bike really fits you, first. Most bikes can be
adjusted to fit a wide range of people reasonably well, so I am not
talking about buying a new bike, but you should find a shop that does a
"bike fit" and have someone help you get comfortable on the bike.

Beyond the specific points mentioned elsewhere on this thread, be sure
that you are not too stretched out. Your hands should _comfortably_ rest
on the brake hoods allowing you to keep a finger or two on the brake lever
itself. Many people are only comfortable with their hands on the tops --
because the bars are too far forward, or too low, or the seat is set back
too far. These are things that can be diagnosed and cured by a good fit.
The most you would have to do is replace the stem. Beats replacing that
thing that is going numb.

You may find a new saddle to be an improvement, but no one can really
recommend the saddle that will be best for _you_. (Despite that, many
will recommend a specific saddle...). That may take some experimenting,
but shops are pretty good about returns of saddles, and some have a
repository of saddles to try out.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or
_`\(,_ | that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not
(_)/ (_) | only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the
American public. --Theodore Roosevelt

[David L. Johnson]

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 10:21:19 +0000, Chris Smith wrote:

> HI Guys,
> Thanks so much for the tips. I'm wearing proper riding shorts (not a
> pretty sight with my scrawny legs!!

Better than for those of us with the opposite problem, and yours will
improve quickly with riding.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | A mathematician is a machine for turning coffee into theorems.
_`\(,_ | -- Paul Erdos
(_)/ (_) |

[[email protected]]

archer > wrote:

: I had the same issue.

Me too, it sucks as I'd like to ride the bike more.

: First, make sure your seat is either level or the nose slightly lower
: than the back. Nose-up will do this all the time.

I think it started from tilting the nose up a bit and riding 200
km, for me... Not really had it before...

: Second (which worked for me): get a seat with a cutout in the center to
: take the pressure off your soft tissues, leaving it only on your "sit"
: bones. I really like my Specialized body geometry seat (I don't remember
: the exact model), but which seat works for any given individual is a
: highly personal decision, often requiring much experimentation.

Recumbent seats are often touted as the patent solution for this
problem, but I go 'bent for other reasons.

--
Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/hpv/hpv.html
varis at no spam please iki fi

[Jkpoulos7]

> I
>tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained
>slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure on
>the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to

Get a Brooks leather saddle. You will ride painless the best $50 I've spent on
cycling gear. First try adjusting sadlle to just hit your sit bones. They will
be sore for a bit but then there will be no pressure your equipment.

[Art]

"Chris Smith" > wrote in message >...

> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I
> tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained
> slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure on
> the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
> else to minimize the pressure problem?
>
> Thanks
> Chris

No jokes from me, I've been there and it ain't funny. In my case, it
wasn't the fit of the bike, rather it was the stock seat that came
with the bike. The money spent on a new Selle Italia Prolink Gel Flow
was worth every penny. Of course, this may not be the seat for you,
or even the remedy for your problem. I'd advise seeing a urologist if
the numbness lasts longer than a couple of days.

Art

[James Hodson]

On 25 Jul 2003 13:01:40 -0700, (Art) wrote:

>No jokes from me, I've been there and it ain't funny. In my case, it
>wasn't the fit of the bike, rather it was the stock seat that came
>with the bike. The money spent on a new Selle Italia Prolink Gel Flow
>was worth every penny. Of course, this may not be the seat for you,
>or even the remedy for your problem. I'd advise seeing a urologist if
>the numbness lasts longer than a couple of days.
>

Hi Art

My cheap road bike came with a saddle that was too soft, as I found
out after a prolonged trundle. This softness allowed my bony bits to
sink through the padding and I ended up sitting on the saddle's shell.
The staff at my LBS were a little shocked when I asked for the seat to
be replaced with a harder model. Apparently most in my position (no
pun intended) automatically assume that a softer seat will solve their
problems. Not so, IMO.

My <goes to look at bike> San Marco Rolls was relatively cheap (about
£35.00/$48(approx)) and is extremely comfortable. I'm a bit of a
fiddler regarding saddle position. After a lot of fiddling -
backwards/forwards, up/down, tilt both ways - I found a perfect riding
position.

I'd spent several years riding rigid ATBs before I bought my road bike
and the more stretched out position did cause a few problems for a
while. However, I resited the temptation to buy a shorter stem - thank
goodness. I now find riding the road bike as comfortable as the more
upright ATB. Incidentally, following a skiing accident, I've suffered
from quite painful back trouble. The road bike's stretched out
position (I need a thesaurus) has gone some way to lessening this pain
and reducing the frequency of my lower going into spasm.

From what you say above, Art, I think your own problem has been sorted
out. I hope so.

Regards
James

--
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.butty/Larrau.jpg

[Rick Onanian]

On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 23:12:52 -0400, David L. Johnson
> wrote:
> General padded saddles and those with cutouts are different animals. The
> cutout allows you to ride a softer saddle without the padding affecting
> the pudental nerve. For me, it works (Terry Fly). For me, Brooks (Pro)
> was pure hell.

Doesn't the cutout and padding combination result in
squeezing your soft tissues into that little hole in
the saddle? I've always feared that...If I hate having
my soft tissues on a padded saddle, I'd really hate
having them squeezed into a 1cm x 5cm hole in the
saddle...


--
Rick Onanian

[archer]

In article >, says...
> On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 23:12:52 -0400, David L. Johnson
> > wrote:
> > General padded saddles and those with cutouts are different animals. The
> > cutout allows you to ride a softer saddle without the padding affecting
> > the pudental nerve. For me, it works (Terry Fly). For me, Brooks (Pro)
> > was pure hell.
>
> Doesn't the cutout and padding combination result in
> squeezing your soft tissues into that little hole in
> the saddle? I've always feared that...If I hate having
> my soft tissues on a padded saddle, I'd really hate
> having them squeezed into a 1cm x 5cm hole in the
> saddle...

Not IME. The hole gives them a place to go, rather than being compressed
against the seat.

Keep in mind that different seat designs work for different people, so
the seat I love may feel like a medievel torture device to you!


--
David Kerber
An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good
Lord, it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

[David L. Johnson]

On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 15:28:22 +0000, Rick Onanian wrote:

> On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 23:12:52 -0400, David L. Johnson
> > wrote:
>> General padded saddles and those with cutouts are different animals.
>> The cutout allows you to ride a softer saddle without the padding
>> affecting the pudental nerve. For me, it works (Terry Fly). For me,
>> Brooks (Pro) was pure hell.
>
> Doesn't the cutout and padding combination result in squeezing your soft
> tissues into that little hole in the saddle?

Not for me. The padding stays near the sit bones, and the middle bits are
floating free.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | It doesn't get any easier, you just go faster. --Greg LeMond
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) |

> Check out this article on bicycle seat neuropathy:
> http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic12.htm
> --Tock

Oh yeah, I've seen variations of this seat
http://www.spongywonder.com
in mags like Unpopular Mechanics . . . there was some guy in Alpine, Texas
(150 miles east of El Paso) advertising in the local paper out there a year
ago or so looking for financial backing for yet another version--said he had
a patent and everything.
Anyway, good luck with your pains . . .
--Tock

[Karen M.]

James wrote:
> ... I'd spent several years riding rigid ATBs before I bought my road bike
> and the more stretched out position did cause a few problems for a
> while. However, I resited the temptation to buy a shorter stem - thank
> goodness. I now find riding the road bike as comfortable as the more
> upright ATB. Incidentally, following a skiing accident, I've suffered
> from quite painful back trouble. The road bike's stretched out
> position (I need a thesaurus) has gone some way to lessening this pain
> and reducing the frequency of my lower going into spasm.


all-encompassing, all-inclusive, big, blanket, boundless, broad,
capacious, commodious, comprehensive, comprising, considerable,
expanded, extended, far-flung, general, great, hefty, huge, inclusive,
indiscriminate, large, large-scale, lengthy, long, major, pervasive,
prevalent, protracted, roomy, scopic, scopious, sizable, spacious,
sweeping, thorough, unexclusive, universal, unrestricted, vast,
voluminous, wholesale, wide, wide-ranging, widespread

collapsed, complanate, decumbent, deflated, depressed, empty, even,
extended, fallen, flush, horizontal, laid low, leveled, low, oblate,
outstretched, pancake, planar, planate, plane, procumbent, prone,
prostrate, punctured, reclining, recumbent, smooth, splay, spread out,
supine, tabular, unbroken

I like "outstretched." Hyper! TdF Announcers! referred to this as a
great riding position.

HTH
--Karen M.