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Cycling would appear to be good for women's sexual health

Sadly mileage does however correlate with saddle sores and urinary tract infections

Following the news that cycling doesn’t affect men's sexual health comes the revelation that the activity could actually be beneficial for women. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that ‘high intensity’ cyclists had lower odds of self-reported sexual dysfunction compared to non-cyclists.

Bicycling.com reports that the study involved 1,053 non-cyclists (who were all swimmers or runners), 1,656 low-intensity cyclists, and 409 high-intensity cyclists, who were defined as those who cycled more than three times a week, averaging more than 25 miles a ride.

The majority of participants were white, under the age of 40, single and normal weight. In addition to the Female Sexual Function Index, they completed the American Urological Symptom Index questionnaire.

They were also questioned on factors such as bike type, saddle type, frequency of wearing padded shorts, proportion of time riding out of the saddle, saddle angle, handlebar height and type of riding surface.

"We found that lifetime miles ridden was associated with better sexual function, as measured by a common, validated questionnaire," said first author Thomas W Gaither, a UCSF medical student.

It wasn’t all good news though. "One of the more novel findings of the study is that lifetime miles ridden were directly correlated with saddle sores and urinary tract infections," said Gaither. "These findings may be considered by some as minor, however, saddle sores and infections may inhibit sexual activity. If we could find a way to prevent saddle sores and infections, we believe that cycling might improve the sexual health of women."

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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3 comments

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Paul__M | 6 years ago
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"If we could find a way to prevent saddle sores and infections, we believe that cycling might improve the sexual health of women."  Like a recumbent, available since the 1930s.

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jerome | 6 years ago
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"A really classic correlation doesn't = causation situation."

The researchers compared with other sporty individuals exactly to avoid that + they were probably looking for adverse effects of cycling on sexual life. Sounds valid.

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madcarew | 6 years ago
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A really classic correlation doesn't = causation situation. Those ladies who cycle greater lifetime miles may have behavioural factors, strength / hormonal factors that contribute to the accompishment of higher lifetime miles ,that may all have a far greater bearing on sexual function. Simply, there may be a common factor in these women that means they have both higher sexual function, and proclivity to cycle greater miles. It certainly doesn't follow that increasing cycling miles for them will lead to greater sexual health, or would improve the sexual health of women who currently cycle less miles. However, If necessary, I'm happy to be a 'crash test dummy' in follow up studies which might measure the impact of long bike rides on a sunny afternoon with increased sexual function of single attractive ladies  1

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