Sensitive Areas !!

[ian emmerson]

I have recently noticed ( and felt ) after a ride that my " gentlemen area " aches, sometimes quite badly after a ride.
I have reduced my rides to commuting only and still this prevails.
i have made no adjustments to the seat angles or height which in fact have been the same for the last couple of years and only quite recently have i experiencd these problems.

I appreciate this may be an embarassing issue but has anyone else experienced this and if so how did you overcome this ? or as i am now tending to believe , maybe a trip to my gp ?

 

[dandare]

If you can categorically say that nothing has changed with bike position or riding styles or even clothing changes (new shorts etc) then I think I would be inclined to visit your GP.

 

[Hip Priest]

If you were a newbie, and this coincided with you taking up cycling, we could talk seat height, angle, shorts...etc But as you've been riding for a while and it's a recent thing, visit your GP. It probably isn't anything serious, but worth checking it out anyway.

You know it makes sense.

 

[Gary E]

What they said!

Get it checked out.

Hopefully nothing but leave the diagnosis to a doctor not a chat forum fella.

 

[NormanD]

I've just switched saddles, from a charge spoon (highly rated and comfy saddle) to a Specialized Romin saddle with the groove down the middle, I now don't ache no more on longer trips, as I recently started to do with the spoon saddle, before that, I wouldn't notice i was sitting on the spoon saddle at all while out.

 

[Psyclist]

What sort of saddle do you own?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I have recently noticed ( and felt ) after a ride that my " gentlemen area " aches, sometimes quite badly after a ride.
I have reduced my rides to commuting only and still this prevails.
i have made no adjustments to the seat angles or height which in fact have been the same for the last couple of years and only quite recently have i experiencd these problems.

I appreciate this may be an embarassing issue but has anyone else experienced this and if so how did you overcome this ? or as i am now tending to believe , maybe a trip to my gp ?

Check saddle and set up, just in case somethings moved, become worn or broken, if you find nothing them talk to your GP

 

[Dave7]

Is it the actual "jewels" or the area below? This is a quote that may be of help.
This recently started to happen to me (quite badly) and I invested in specific saddles for the problem......now done 10/20 & 25 milers with no numbness.
Groin
Leaning forward on your saddle compresses the perineal nerves (in the soft area between your groin and butt), which cuts off blood flow and feeling. First check your saddle tilt, says McGlynn. The top should be parallel to the ground, which allows your sit bones to carry most of your weight. Next, check your handlebar reach as described above; a long reach rotates your hips forward and transfers weight to your perineum.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Is it the actual "jewels" or the area below? This is a quote that may be of help.
This recently started to happen to me (quite badly) and I invested in specific saddles for the problem......now done 10/20 & 25 milers with no numbness.
Groin
Leaning forward on your saddle compresses the perineal nerves (in the soft area between your groin and butt), which cuts off blood flow and feeling. First check your saddle tilt, says McGlynn. The top should be parallel to the ground, which allows your sit bones to carry most of your weight. Next, check your handlebar reach as described above; a long reach rotates your hips forward and transfers weight to your perineum.

As well as checking the reach check how low you have your handlebars, if your handlebars are to low it will have a similar effect as having a reach that is too long, if it feels as if theres too much weight on your hands it could be your handlebars are too low.

 

[ian emmerson]

Thanks for the advice everyone, it has been most helpful.
Gp confirmed no issues and lbs has adjusted the seat very slightly to compensate for any wear that may have occurred over time.
Other half kindly bought some new shorts believing the padded area may have also worn.
Going to see how things go now , fingers crossed