pudendal nerve problems

HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop that.

I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained slight numbness in my crotch area and assume
it's the result of pressure on the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or
something else to minimize the pressure problem?

Thanks Chris

In article <vi2b1pk57s6ec4@corp.supernews.com>, zvezdah1@knology.net says...
> HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop that.
>
> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
> minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained slight numbness in my crotch area and assume
> it's the result of pressure on the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or
> something else to minimize the pressure problem?

I had the same issue.

First, make sure your seat is either level or the nose slightly lower than the back. Nose-up will do
this all the time.

Second (which worked for me): get a seat with a cutout in the center to take the pressure off your
soft tissues, leaving it only on your "sit" bones. I really like my Specialized body geometry seat
(I don't remember the exact model), but which seat works for any given individual is a highly
personal decision, often requiring much experimentation.

--
David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord,
it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, Chris Smith <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote:
> HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop that.

I'm too lazy to look up "pudendal nerve", so you're in luck. <G>

> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
> minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the
> result of pressure the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something else
> to minimize the pressure problem?

Yes. Possible adjustments, in the order I'd guess they'd be effective:

Shorts -- Not wearing proper bike shorts? They're rather comfortable, and not as embarassing as you
think (and you could put loose shorts over them, or even get loose bike shorts). Get them. Even
cheap ones help -- ****'s Sporting Goods is a chain store that has useful bike shorts for $30.
Better shorts are cheaper on sale at LBS sometimes or online.

Saddle -- The saddle may just be the wrong shape / materials for you. Still, instead of blowing
money, try adjustments first.

Saddle tilt -- Too far up and it's pushing up; too far down and you slide forward until your weight
is on your crotch on the nose

Handlebar position -- Too low and you bend forward too much, exposing only your crotch to the
saddle. Too high and your back is vertical, so your crotchtal area is unsupported (unless you wear
proper cycling shorts).

> Thanks Chris
--
Rick Onanian

In article <oprsvcosr2w8gzvw@news.east.cox.net>, spamsink@cox.net says...
> On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, Chris Smith <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote:
> > HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop that.
>
> I'm too lazy to look up "pudendal nerve", so you're in luck. <G>
>
> > I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
> > minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed slight numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the
> > result of pressure the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something
> > else to minimize the pressure problem?
>
> Yes. Possible adjustments, in the order I'd guess they'd be effective:
>
> Shorts -- Not wearing proper bike shorts? They're rather comfortable, and not as embarassing as
> you think (and you could put loose shorts over them, or even get loose bike shorts). Get them.
> Even cheap ones help -- ****'s Sporting Goods is a chain store that has useful bike shorts for
> $30. Better shorts are cheaper on sale at LBS sometimes or online.

My personal experience is that shorts don't affect numbness, but will affect irritation, chafing,
and other sources of discomfort. As usual, YMMV.

> Saddle -- The saddle may just be the wrong shape / materials for you. Still, instead of blowing
> money, try adjustments first.
>
> Saddle tilt -- Too far up and it's pushing up; too far down and you slide forward until your
> weight is on your crotch on the nose
>
> Handlebar position -- Too low and you bend forward too much, exposing only your crotch to the
> saddle. Too high and your back is vertical, so your crotchtal area is unsupported (unless you wear
> proper cycling shorts).

These are all good suggestions; I had forgotten to mention some of them in my post.

--
David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord,
it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

HI Guys, Thanks so much for the tips. I'm wearing proper riding shorts (not a pretty sight with my
scrawny legs!! Chris "archer" <ns_archer1960@ns_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.198b0172f899851f11b@news.ids.net...
> In article <oprsvcosr2w8gzvw@news.east.cox.net>, spamsink@cox.net says...
> > On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, Chris Smith <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote:
> > > HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop that.
> >
> > I'm too lazy to look up "pudendal nerve", so you're in luck. <G>
> >
> > > I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or
so, I
> > > tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed
slight
> > > numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure the pudendal nerve. Is it
> > > possible to change seat adjustment or something else to minimize the pressure problem?
> >
> > Yes. Possible adjustments, in the order I'd guess they'd be effective:
> >
> > Shorts -- Not wearing proper bike shorts? They're rather comfortable, and not as embarassing as
> > you think (and you could put loose shorts over them, or even get loose bike shorts). Get them.
> > Even cheap ones help -- ****'s Sporting Goods is a chain store that has useful bike shorts for
> > $30. Better shorts are cheaper on sale at LBS sometimes or online.
>
> My personal experience is that shorts don't affect numbness, but will affect irritation, chafing,
> and other sources of discomfort. As usual, YMMV.
>
>
> > Saddle -- The saddle may just be the wrong shape / materials for you. Still, instead of blowing
> > money, try adjustments first.
> >
> > Saddle tilt -- Too far up and it's pushing up; too far down and you slide forward until your
> > weight is on your crotch on the nose
> >
> > Handlebar position -- Too low and you bend forward too much, exposing only your crotch to the
> > saddle. Too high and your back is vertical, so your crotchtal area is unsupported (unless you
> > wear proper cycling shorts).
>
> These are all good suggestions; I had forgotten to mention some of them in my post.
>
>
> --
> David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord, it's
> morning".
>
> Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

HI Guys, Thanks so much for the tips. I'm wearing proper riding shorts (not a pretty sight with my
scrawny legs!! Chris "archer" <ns_archer1960@ns_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.198b0172f899851f11b@news.ids.net...
> In article <oprsvcosr2w8gzvw@news.east.cox.net>, spamsink@cox.net says...
> > On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, Chris Smith <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote:
> > > HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't stop that.
> >
> > I'm too lazy to look up "pudendal nerve", so you're in luck. <G>
> >
> > > I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or
so, I
> > > tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed
slight
> > > numbness in my crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure the pudendal nerve. Is it
> > > possible to change seat adjustment or something else to minimize the pressure problem?
> >
> > Yes. Possible adjustments, in the order I'd guess they'd be effective:
> >
> > Shorts -- Not wearing proper bike shorts? They're rather comfortable, and not as embarassing as
> > you think (and you could put loose shorts over them, or even get loose bike shorts). Get them.
> > Even cheap ones help -- ****'s Sporting Goods is a chain store that has useful bike shorts for
> > $30. Better shorts are cheaper on sale at LBS sometimes or online.
>
> My personal experience is that shorts don't affect numbness, but will affect irritation, chafing,
> and other sources of discomfort. As usual, YMMV.
>
>
> > Saddle -- The saddle may just be the wrong shape / materials for you. Still, instead of blowing
> > money, try adjustments first.
> >
> > Saddle tilt -- Too far up and it's pushing up; too far down and you slide forward until your
> > weight is on your crotch on the nose
> >
> > Handlebar position -- Too low and you bend forward too much, exposing only your crotch to the
> > saddle. Too high and your back is vertical, so your crotchtal area is unsupported (unless you
> > wear proper cycling shorts).
>
> These are all good suggestions; I had forgotten to mention some of them in my post.
>
>
> --
> David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord, it's
> morning".
>
> Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

"Chris Smith" <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote in message news:vi2b1pk57s6ec4@corp.supernews.com...
> HI All, First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this, can't
stop
> that.
>
> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
> minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained slight numbness in my crotch area and assume
> it's the result of pressure
on
> the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or something else to minimize the
> pressure problem?

Check out this article on bicycle seat neuropathy:
http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic12.htm --Tock

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 +0000, Chris Smith wrote:

> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
> minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained slight numbness in my crotch area and assume
> it's the result of pressure on the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or
> something else to minimize the pressure problem?

You need to make sure the bike really fits you, first. Most bikes can be adjusted to fit a wide
range of people reasonably well, so I am not talking about buying a new bike, but you should find a
shop that does a "bike fit" and have someone help you get comfortable on the bike.

Beyond the specific points mentioned elsewhere on this thread, be sure that you are not too
stretched out. Your hands should _comfortably_ rest on the brake hoods allowing you to keep a finger
or two on the brake lever itself. Many people are only comfortable with their hands on the tops --
because the bars are too far forward, or too low, or the seat is set back too far. These are things
that can be diagnosed and cured by a good fit. The most you would have to do is replace the stem.
Beats replacing that thing that is going numb.

You may find a new saddle to be an improvement, but no one can really recommend the saddle that will
be best for _you_. (Despite that, many will recommend a specific saddle...). That may take some
experimenting, but shops are pretty good about returns of saddles, and some have a repository of
saddles to try out.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or _`\(,_ | that we are to
stand by the president right or wrong, is not (_)/ (_) | only unpatriotic and servile, but is
morally treasonable to the American public. --Theodore Roosevelt

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 10:21:19 +0000, Chris Smith wrote:

> HI Guys, Thanks so much for the tips. I'm wearing proper riding shorts (not a pretty sight with my
> scrawny legs!!

Better than for those of us with the opposite problem, and yours will improve quickly with riding.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | A mathematician is a machine for turning coffee into theorems. _`\(,_ | -- Paul Erdos
(_)/ (_) |

archer <ns_archer1960@ns_hotmail.com> wrote:

: I had the same issue.

Me too, it sucks as I'd like to ride the bike more.

: First, make sure your seat is either level or the nose slightly lower than the back. Nose-up will
: do this all the time.

I think it started from tilting the nose up a bit and riding 200 km, for me... Not really had
it before...

: Second (which worked for me): get a seat with a cutout in the center to take the pressure off your
: soft tissues, leaving it only on your "sit" bones. I really like my Specialized body geometry seat
: (I don't remember the exact model), but which seat works for any given individual is a highly
: personal decision, often requiring much experimentation.

Recumbent seats are often touted as the patent solution for this problem, but I go 'bent for
other reasons.

--
Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/hpv/hpv.html varis at no spam please iki fi

> I tend to ride about 40 minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained slight numbness in my
> crotch area and assume it's the result of pressure on the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to

Get a Brooks leather saddle. You will ride painless the best $50 I've spent on cycling gear. First
try adjusting sadlle to just hit your sit bones. They will be sore for a bit but then there will be
no pressure your equipment.

"Chris Smith" <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote in message news:<vi2b1pk57s6ec4@corp.supernews.com>...

> I'm a male, 43, just started riding a roadbike for about a month or so, I tend to ride about 40
> minutes to an hour every day. I've noticed sustained slight numbness in my crotch area and assume
> it's the result of pressure on the pudendal nerve. Is it possible to change seat adjustment or
> something else to minimize the pressure problem?
>
> Thanks Chris

No jokes from me, I've been there and it ain't funny. In my case, it wasn't the fit of the bike,
rather it was the stock seat that came with the bike. The money spent on a new Selle Italia Prolink
Gel Flow was worth every penny. Of course, this may not be the seat for you, or even the remedy for
your problem. I'd advise seeing a urologist if the numbness lasts longer than a couple of days.

Art

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:17:04 -0400, "Chris Smith" <zvezdah1@knology.net> wrote:

>First off, I know their'll be a lot of humorous replies to this

I guess, but it's not amusing for you I would think.

Audax riders, who ride anything up to 1400km virtually non-stop, mostly seem to use leather
saddles, and the B17 is being replaced by the Selle San MArco Rolls; whether this is because people
are more affluent or because the Rolls is so bloody good I don't know because my Brooks is still
hanging in there :-)

Saddles with cutouts? Well, maybe. The talk of numbness seems to date mostly from the introduction
of padded saddles, which deform to put pressure on the nerves to your nearest & dearest. You can
colour me unconvinced on saddles with cutouts - I have a B17 on my tourer.

So, the traditional solution is:
- check the bike fits properly (http://www.wrenchscience.com has a great bike fit analyser)
- check the top of the saddle is level
- use a quality saddle
- use good quality bike shorts with no underwear

All of this, of course, provokes wry smiles among those who have followed the Path to Enlightenment
and said goodbye to sore **** misery with New! Improved!! recumbent :-D

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. http://www.chapmancentral.com [currently
offline awaiting ADSL transfer to new ISP]

On 25 Jul 2003 13:01:40 -0700, agonzz328@yahoo.com (Art) wrote:

>No jokes from me, I've been there and it ain't funny. In my case, it wasn't the fit of the bike,
>rather it was the stock seat that came with the bike. The money spent on a new Selle Italia Prolink
>Gel Flow was worth every penny. Of course, this may not be the seat for you, or even the remedy for
>your problem. I'd advise seeing a urologist if the numbness lasts longer than a couple of days.
>

Hi Art

My cheap road bike came with a saddle that was too soft, as I found out after a prolonged trundle.
This softness allowed my bony bits to sink through the padding and I ended up sitting on the
saddle's shell. The staff at my LBS were a little shocked when I asked for the seat to be replaced
with a harder model. Apparently most in my position (no pun intended) automatically assume that a
softer seat will solve their problems. Not so, IMO.

My <goes to look at bike> San Marco Rolls was relatively cheap (about £35.00/$48(approx)) and is
extremely comfortable. I'm a bit of a fiddler regarding saddle position. After a lot of fiddling -
backwards/forwards, up/down, tilt both ways - I found a perfect riding position.

I'd spent several years riding rigid ATBs before I bought my road bike and the more stretched out
position did cause a few problems for a while. However, I resited the temptation to buy a shorter
stem - thank goodness. I now find riding the road bike as comfortable as the more upright ATB.
Incidentally, following a skiing accident, I've suffered from quite painful back trouble. The road
bike's stretched out position (I need a thesaurus) has gone some way to lessening this pain and
reducing the frequency of my lower going into spasm.

From what you say above, Art, I think your own problem has been sorted out. I hope so.

Regards James

--
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.butty/Larrau.jpg

On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 18:29:17 +0100, Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:

> Audax riders, who ride anything up to 1400km virtually non-stop, mostly seem to use leather
> saddles, and the B17 is being replaced by the Selle San MArco Rolls; whether this is because
> people are more affluent or because the Rolls is so bloody good I don't know because my Brooks is
> still hanging in there :-)

See, I said that someone would be recommending a particular saddle.
>
> Saddles with cutouts? Well, maybe. The talk of numbness seems to date mostly from the introduction
> of padded saddles, which deform to put pressure on the nerves to your nearest & dearest.

General padded saddles and those with cutouts are different animals. The cutout allows you to ride a
softer saddle without the padding affecting the pudental nerve. For me, it works (Terry Fly). For
me, Brooks (Pro) was pure hell.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | I don't believe you, you've got the whole damn thing all wrong. _`\(,_ | He's not the kind
you have to wind-up on Sundays. --Ian (_)/ (_) | Anderson