Aaargh! Jock Itch Gets in the Way of Cycling

Jock itch is a pain in the penis for many men, whether they are jocks or couch potatoes or something in between. But this common penis health condition does seem to be more likely to occur in men who are more physically involved, such as jocks - and including those who are active in the sport (and pastime) of cycling. Let’s take a look at this common (and often vexing) cycling issue.

Basics: Jock itch

For those who go in for such things, the medical name for jock itch is tinea cruris. (It is related to - think first cousin - athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedia.) Every guy has reason at some time to scratch their penis and balls, but when they are visited with jock itch, the need to scratch can be increased dramatically - and embarrassingly.

So what is jock itch exactly? Well, it’s a fungal infection, just as athlete’s foot is a fungus. Jock itch occurs on the penis, balls, buttocks, thighs, and/or crotch. It presents as a red, ring-like or circular rash, which may occur singly or in groups. The border of the rash tends to be raised, and the skin may be flaky or scaly.

As penis health issues go, jock itch is not serious, but it can be inconvenient. Some people find the rash can burn or sting a bit, but most cases are marked by the severe itch that gives the condition its nickname.

Cycling

Jock itch is most often found in a warm, moist environment, which accurately describes the crotch. This kind of environment is heaven for a fungus, and it’s the kind of environment that is very common among athletes - including cyclists. When a cyclist has jock itch, it can get in the way by creating a distraction, a need to scratch, that keeps the cyclist from keeping focused on his goals.

Biking shorts can contribute to the issue. The shorts tend to provide compression, which is helpful for cycling but which also increases heat and therefore sweat. Finding shorts made of a material that allows the skin to "breathe" can help decrease the chance of developing jock itch. It’s also extremely important that bikers wash their shorts thoroughly and regularly; allowing the sweat to accumulate can only add to the possibility that the fungus will find it a nice place to put down roots and grow.

If a guy has athlete’s foot, he needs to take special care to prevent jock itch. The fungus that causes the former also causes the latter. So, don’t go to the shower, wipe down the feet with a towel and then use the same towel to dry off the crotch; using a separate towel for the feet is highly recommended. By the same token, put on socks before putting on bike shorts or underwear, so that the athlete’s foot fungus doesn’t transfer.

It’s also important not to share towels (or certainly underwear, shorts or socks) with another cyclist; if he has jock itch, sharing towels or clothing increases the chance of it spreading. And if at the gym, wear flip-flops or other appropriate footwear to the shower and sauna. (Needless to say, those who sauna in the nude should put a clean towel down before sitting in the sauna.)

Cycling enthusiasts who do come down with jock itch have several over-the-counter options to use. A persistent case may require a visit to the doctor.

Jock itch, whether in a cycling enthusiast or a desk jockey, may benefit from the daily use of a superior penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Jock itch often feels better when the skin is moisturized, so select an oil with a combination of hydrating agents, like vitamin E and shea butter. The oil ideally should also contain vitamin B5, aka pantothenic acid, a vital nutrient that is required for cell metabolism and the maintenance of healthy tissue.

Loss of Sensitivity and Other Penis Problems from Cycling: How to Avoid Long-term Damage

Cycling is an excellent way to stay healthy, exercising muscles and providing aerobic benefits at the same time, as well as giving a person opportunity to enjoy fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine when riding outdoors. But as many men know, there can be some penis health issues associated with cycling. This is especially true for the enthusiast who engages in lengthy, long-distance excursions. But a new study suggests a way to help mitigate the issues that sometimes occur.

The problems

Probably the most significant male problems associated with cycling are a numbness in the penis and erectile dysfunction. Not every man experiences either of these issues, and indeed there is wide variation in the reported incidences. According to one 2014 retrospective study, the percentage of male cyclists experiencing numbness varies from a low of 22% to a high of 91%. In terms of erectile dysfunction, the rate varies from 1.8% to 50%.

While the rate of incidence is not known, it is generally conceded that some male cyclists experience these penis problems. The reasoning behind it is that these problems result from the pressure exerted on the perineum (the area between the balls and the anus) due to be seated on saddle seats for an extended period of time. Both the weight of the upper torso on the perineum and the vibrations caused by cycling are thought to cause pressure which results in “micro-traumas” to the penis and perineum, bringing about the numbness and dysfunction. It is also believed that the shape and hardness of the selected saddle may play a significant role.

New study

Entitled “Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma,” the article recently appeared in the medical journal Sexual Medicine. It was conducted by a team of urologists from the University of California at San Francisco. In this instance, oscillation basically refers to the rate of vibration that occurs when cycling.

The scientists looked at how different rates of oscillation might have an effect on the pressure that a person feels on the perineum as they are biking. They selected 39 subjects – 29 men and 10 women – for the study. (Women were included as perineal numbness is also an issue with female cyclists.) All were tested on the same style and make of bicycle, adjusted to properly fit the size of each study participant. There were tested both while stationary (no pedaling) and while pedaling, and both with a standard seatpost and with a special seatpost with greater suspension.

From the experiment, the doctors determined that the pressure on the perineum increased significantly when the rate of oscillation also increased. They also found that when the seatpost with suspension was utilized, the impact of oscillation decreased by 53%.

What it means

In other words, the more vibration that occurs when riding a bike, the more pressure there is on the perineum, and the more likely that micro-trauma will occur, which can bring about penis problems in some men. But if bikes could effectively be outfitted with shock absorbers (which is what the seatposts with suspension provided), there would likely be a decrease in oscillation and therefore in pressure and subsequent damage.

Until bicycles come outfitted with proper shock absorbers, cyclists are more likely to experience penis problems. Regular use of a high level penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) may be beneficial. Since penis sensation can be impacted, the crème should include a neuroprotective ingredient like L-carnitine; this will not prevent the impact of the pressure, but it could potentially minimize it. The creme should also include L-arginine, an amino acid which plays a role in helping to keep penile blood vessels receptive to increased blood flow, a vital function in penis health.

Is Penis Sensitivity Impacted by Cycling? What Men Need to Know

Penis sensitivity is one of the more important aspects of penis health. In many ways, it’s a delicate balance. When penis sensitivity is too keen, it can bring about issues such as premature ejaculation. But on the other hand, when there is diminished penis sensitivity, a man may get less pleasure and enjoyment out of sex; in some cases, diminished penis sensitivity can even lead to erectile difficulties. One popular activity which is known to lead to some diminishment of sensation in the penis for many men is cycling, especially long distance cycling.

The issue

Although cycling has been popular since the introduction of the bicycle in the 19^th century, the attention focused on how biking can diminish penis sensation gained significant attention only in the last few decades. This coincides roughly with society’s increased emphasis on physical fitness and with the increased use of bicycles. More and more, people were adding cycling to their list of exercise options, including the use of stationary bikes at gyms.

Long distance cycling also grew in popularity during this time, both as an activity unto itself and as part of triathlons, in which biking joined running and swimming to form one big endurance event.

The penis sensitivity problem began being increasingly reported around this same time. The problem essentially is this: dedicated bikers, especially those involved in cycling for long distances and/or for lengthy periods of time, tend to sit in positions on the bike seat which place a lot of pressure on the perineum (the space between the anus and the balls). In addition, many cyclists wear compression shorts which compress and constrict the penis and balls.

The combination of these two factors tends to create "numbness" - a diminishment of sensitivity - in the penis and balls. Although the actual feeling of numbness is typically transitory and goes away some time after cycling is finished, in many cases men do experience over time a more lasting decrease in penis sensitivity.

New study

A recent study has looked at this problem, and estimates that erectile dysfunction occurs in as many as 24% of male cyclists. "Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma" appeared in a recent issue of Sexual Medicine, and looked at the issue in a laboratory setting.

Participants were studied while seated and not pedaling on a typical bike seat; while seated and pedaling; while seated and not pedaling on a bike seat with shock absorbers; and while seated and pedaling on a bike seat with shock absorbers.

Not surprisingly, the impact using shock absorbers was 53% less - indicating that bikers need to use shock absorbing seats (something many currently do not do).

While this seems like common sense, studies like this allow scientists and doctors to work from an evidence base to develop new recommendations and strategies for addressing common issues. It will be interesting to see if this study will lead to new ideas and thoughts concerning how to approach this problem - and whether hardcore cyclists will be willing to adopt new strategies. Finding something that protects penis sensitivity without interfering with a cyclist’s competitive advantage can be challenging.

Whether one enjoys cycling or not, a man wants to always protect his penis sensitivity. One method he can employ is to use a first class penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to maintain his overall penis health. Of special note are those crèmes that include L- carnitine, an amino acid with neuroprotective properties which can help with penis sensitivity and peripheral nerve damage. The best choices also include vitamin B5. Also known as pantothenic acid, B5 is a vital nutrient that is required for proper cell metabolism and tissue maintenance.

Penis Pain and Cycling: Prevention and Relief Tips

Cycling is one of the best exercises for a man, helping to keep his heart healthy and his muscles taut and toned. But for many, cycling can be accompanied by penis pain - and can have a significant impact on a man’s penis health. This doesn’t mean that a man should abandon cycling, but it does mean he may need to take steps to prevent penis pain from occurring and to treat it when it does occur.

Numbness
 
There can be several kinds of penis symptoms associated with cycling, such as pain caused by slipping onto the crossbar or from tight, sweaty cycling shorts that bunch up uncomfortably in the crotch. But the most common form is a numbness that occurs in the region, In one study, 61% of bikers complained of this numbness; further, 19% of bikers who rode 250 or more miles per week also experienced some form of erectile dysfunction linked to this numbness. Other common complaints which seem to be related to this issue are pain while urinating and pain after intercourse.

It’s the perineum.
 
Most researchers believe that the cause of this cycling-related numbness is damage to the perineum. The perineum is the area between the anus and the penis. This is an area that contains a large number of blood vessels and nerve endings.

In the course of a normal day, the perineum doesn’t usually receive a significant amount of pressure. However, when cycling, the perineum finds itself pressed hard against the saddle of the bike, and on the receiving end of all the upper body’s weight. All of this weight causes substantial compression, which is further exacerbated by the tight shorts typically worn by dedicated cyclists.

With all this pressure being focused in one area, it’s easy to see how damage could result. Nerves can be affected, blood vessels can be blocked and blood flow can be impeded. When that happens, numbness can occur. Further, the decrease in blood flow capability can cause both erectile issues and a decrease in penis sensitivity.

Prevention
 
There are three big steps a man can take to help reduce pressure on the perineum while biking.

- Change the seat. This is generally felt to be the most important step one can take. Ergonomically-designed bike seats have become common in recent years; many of them are designed specifically to take some of the pressure off the perineum and transfer it to the bones associated with sitting. Noseless saddles especially seem to produce a positive benefit in this regard.

- Alter the position of the seat. In addition to changing out the seat, attention should be paid to how the seat is positioned. Positioning the height and angle of the seat so that there is a slight bend to the knee when the pedal is in the lowest position is thought to help shift pressure off the perineum.

- Consider changes in the training schedule. Sometimes a man may need to take a short hiatus from cycling to prevent numbness issues from occurring. Alternatively, he may opt to alter the length of rides or to interrupt a ride with rest breaks.

Treatment
 
Often therapy is required to help treat this penis pain. A physical therapist, massage therapist or sports medicine professional who is versed in active release therapy should be able to provide assistance.

It is also helpful to keep the penis in good overall health in order to combat penis pain, whether related to cycling or not. Using a first-rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is a definite benefit. Especially helpful is a crème with acetyl L-carnitine, a neuroprotective ingredient that may help restore lost penis sensitivity. It’s even better if the crème also contains L-arginine, an enzyme that boosts nitric oxide production and thereby may improve penis blood flow. These ingredients in one crème make a potent combination for handling numbness and penile blood flow issues.