Groin issues

[Gman1212]

Hi guys , and hello from a newbie . Started cycling again after years off the saddle and loving it apart from a recent groin issue , numbness in one side of my pubic area and electric shock type pains which all gets worse when on the bike , have had a look about the net and found that it could be a Pudendal nerve issue . What I'm asking is what can I do to stop this happening , is there a saddle with a hole in the middle to stop my tackle getting squashed ?

Thanks in advance

 

[stephec]

If it continues then it's best left to someone who's qualified to tell you what's wrong.

 

[MikeW-71]

Yes, you can get saddles with a cutout in the middle, to varying degrees. I would also be strongly tempted to see a doctor about it as well though.

 

[numbnuts]

I have this one

 

[fossyant]

Saddles are very person specific. If you have a cheap overly padded saddle then this is an issue.

Less is more. You want your sit bones in contact with the saddle. Cut out or not, less padding is better.

 

[I like Skol]

Ouch, sounds unpleasant and definitely not a normal part of cycling. My first suggestion would be to try tilting your saddle slightly nose down to see if this alleviates the problem at all. It won't need to be much but perhaps to help you visualise this then your saddle should look like a jet fighter in flight rather than coming in to land. You really need to be sat on your sit bones rather than bearing weight on your 'man tackle'. A saddle with a slightly kicked up rear may help, in THIS thread I started recently there is a shot that perfectly illustrates this.
I also suffered some discomfort on and off for a few years after I had a groinal hernia operation about 10 years ago. The cure was more troublesome than the original problem but this thread has reminded me that I haven't experienced the pain from this for the last few years so all good now.

 

[howard2107]

Try some padded shorts.

 

[RitchieJoe]

From your initial post it sounds like the issue is still there when not cycling, you need to see a doctor or relevant health care professional. even if you can stop cycling exacerbating the issue.... the issue is still there.

 

[Ern1e]

Only thing I will say is "Googeling" a medical problem BAD IDEA go see a doctor sooner rather than later !!

 

[ayceejay]

You have a groin problem, a guy calling himself 'numbnuts' offers up a saddle as the solution - should I go on?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Being a gentleman of a certain age, I recently started having prostate issues and, after an expensive couple of attempts at solutions, I'm currently trying out a saddle similar to numbnut's - the Selle SMP Hybrid. But I did go and see the doctor first to check out whether there were any more serious prostate problems to deal with. Assuming you've had medical attention and got the all clear, the Selle variations may help. They certainly remove central pressure. OTH, they may be too wide - this is something I'm having to keep my eyes on and I've still haven't done more than 45 miles on it. Weird things to set up on the bike though. There's nothing horizontal about them so you have to take your horizontal bearings from around the part you're sitting on. And then, once you've found a comfy position, you'll find yourself looking at it and thinking it looks all wonky and forward tilted....

 

[Spud1969]

Hi guys , and hello from a newbie . Started cycling again after years off the saddle and loving it apart from a recent groin issue , numbness in one side of my pubic area and electric shock type pains which all gets worse when on the bike , have had a look about the net and found that it could be a Pudendal nerve issue . What I'm asking is what can I do to stop this happening , is there a saddle with a hole in the middle to stop my tackle getting squashed ?

Thanks in advance

Did the OPs condition improve? I have the same problem. Not sure how bad your symptoms were but I would say my pain was pretty bad although it has improved over the last 2 weeks or so. I havnt been on my bike for about 6 weeks now.

 

[Profpointy]

Try some padded shorts.

Don't really agree - sort out saddle, position or different model and only the worry about shorts.
If your sofa's not comfortable, different trousers are not the first thing to try.

Padded shorts for cycling can be worthwile, but get the basics right first.
I must have cycled many thousands of miles over several decades before I bought padded shorts. I was in agony after 30 miles of my first 40 mile ride till I got a good saddle (Brooks for me, but they don't suit everyone)