Say it Ain't So: Study Correlates Motorcycles and Impotence
Thursday November 27, 2008
I was just singing the praises of motorcycling when I came across an article outlining increased risks of erectile dysfunction associated with riding. The study suggests* that 69 percent of 234 motorcyclists who rode three hours every weekend reported mild to severe erectile dysfunction-- yikes! The Japanese study also found that 70 percent of motorcyclists with hard-padded saddles had ED, while soft-padded saddles correlated to a 63 percent rate.
Doesn't it seem like if something's fun it's probably bad for you in one way or another? Regardless, I'm sure you can still find plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving**.
Related:
*Outlined in this International Journal of Impotence Research abstract, as well as here (the full text requires a paid subscription)** I guess I'm thankful that I just had to explain to my wife what erectile dysfunction is.
Photo © Shalom Ormsby / Digital Vision / Getty Images
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Comments
OMG !! NO wonder wives don’t like bikes!
I’ve been a serious bicyclist for 35 years and have always ridden racing bikes with the small saddles and haven’t encountered any problems. I can’t imagine a motorcycle seat being more damaging than that.
Did they specify the ages of men in the study? Also, if you look at the average cruiser rider who is 50+ and carrying some extra weight, there are probably health issues that contribute to ED more that riding.
Scottie,
There was a positive correlation to age, on top of motorcycling, if I’m not mistaken.
I don’t think motorcycle saddles are more damaging than bicycle saddles, either– more power to you, and your wife or girlfriend!
Basem
This may require a balanced approach: just to be on the safe side, perhaps we should take our wife/girlfriend pillion and stop every couple of hours to make sure everything is in working order.
You know…I was just thinkin’……
We should hope this has as bad an effect on the guy sitting behind you….
Gives a whole new meaning to riding 2 up…
Great site, man…
ED article made me laugh.. Tell THAT to the HD studs… If 3 hours a weekend produces ED me and most of the guys I know should be, like, inverted….
Do you have a link to the study itself…?
Ride safe man
It is possible, becauise when I ride a bicycle for a period of time my penis is numb and painfully tingling, like when you wake up and your leg is “asleep” type of thing. I was told it is the perineal nerve, and many cyclists have problems this way. I have had it on my m/c as well. I wear those Diamond Jeans now that don’t have the normal heavy crotch seam.
Maybe it affects only some people due to their physiology? (Is that a word?)
Many of the studies are funded by the pharmacutical companies. Motorcyclists are a mentally virile bunch, and are easy targets to keep physically virile. So Cialis, and Viagra which are really high blood pressure medication, could have funded the study to say what they wanted it to say. Being overweight from a bad diet does more for impotence than motorcycling. My VFR seat is just fine for lond hauls.
Of course another thought is that the demographic for motorcyclists these days is older guys. Could this have skewed the study as there is a natural tendency to have a “Limp Biscuit” by that time anyway?
Hey Basem, you should not give much attention to this, at least taking into consideration my own case. When I ride let’s say some 5 to 6 hours going or coming fm other cities even in a couple of days riding, me and my wife use to make more love everyday. When I’m home I come back to the normals saturdays nights or sunday mornings…so in my opinion, they got coincidentally the wrong cases…I’m 47 my wife 50….
I suffered with problem for years. I finally went to a doctor sometime ago and was cured. The doctor told me that when go riding, I am to tuck my “member” between my legs just like Baffalo Bill did in “Silence of the Lambs”. Knock on wood, haven’t had a problem with the gals since…
I used to have this problem. My doctor suggested tucking my member in between my legs like Buffalo Bill did in Silence of the Lambs. Been hard as nails ever since…
I’m not sure I understand Gutterboy’s comment. Just where is he supposed to tuck his member? UNDER his balls? up his zipper?
Is this so he DOESN’T sit on it, or so that he does?
Seriously, the perineal nerve problem is one that is seen on a regular basis, ever since men’s bicycle seats became narrower and more streamlined as racing bikes caught on. We in the medical profession have been dealing with this more and more frequently, so PLEASE don’t dismiss this study as propaganda. If you are experiencing any symptoms, go get checked out! Talk with your doctor. It may be as simple as changing your seat, using a cushion, changing your jeans, or something developing with AGE, and not just from cycles!
Thank you Purple Rider. I have been validated in my comments about perineal nerves and such.
Maybe motorcycle seats should have a hole in them, like the newer bike seats do. That could also act as a super charger if you eat a lot of chili you could toot through it into the carburetor throat for an extra oomph.
I think if you “choose” your passenger carefully, (for example, a beautiful 22-year old young lady) you may eliminate any chances of having any ED problems… know what I mean?
To all of ya….
Come on ya bunch a crybabies. Do ya want ta
sit around and whine about your peepies, or
do ya want ta ride? Make up your minds!!
As for me, I’m firin that bad boy up and hittin
the road. eeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa!!!
I have been on many M/C road trips with “Taz”, and believe me…I do NOT turn my back on him! lol
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
gsg,
Links are in the small text below the entry.
Ride safe!
Basem
BULLS*** AND HOGWASH.
I have been continously cycling since my youth and have been “Motorcycle Cruising” since 2005.
I have met 2 death defying accidents on my mobike requiring intensive hospitalisation but never for “PENIS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION”>
My “Sex-Life” is active, hectic and progressive at the young age of 48.
There could be other reasons for “MALE PENISERECTILE DYSFUNCTION” besides “MOTORBIKES OR CYCLES”.
Would that be you, Camille?