The link between long periods of cycling and men's erectile dysfunction has long been known (as countless studies have claimed), but now research shows women can also reduce their sexual satisfaction if they ride a bike incorrectly.
Having the handlebars set too low (level with or lower than the saddle) puts extra pressure on nerves and blood vessels in the genital area, resulting in "decreased genital sensation" a study by Yale University in the US has found.
You know what that means: having an orgasm is going to be a whole lot more difficult.
In the study, 48 women who rode at least 16 kilometres per week had the sensation level in their pelvic floor measured using a pressure map.
The study concluded that "handlebars positioned lower than the saddle were significantly associated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased genital sensation in female cyclists."
But don't go giving up your spin classes just yet. The researchers found adjusting the handlebars to be higher than the saddle was found to alleviate the extra pressure.
So, just make sure your handlebars are high enough and it's toned legs and orgasms all round.
These new findings were published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
HOME