Author: Richard Weil, MEd, CDE
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Bike riding is terrific aerobic exercise, a healthy and economical way to commute, and a great way to run errands, sightsee, and get around town. There is, however, a potential downside to biking; sitting on the bicycle seat may result in the compression of nerves and blood vessels of the vulnerable area of the body called the perineum. The perineum is the area between the anus and the base of the penis in males and between the anus and the vagina in females; it contains both blood vessels and nerves. Compression of the perineum can lead to nerve damage, swelling, artery insufficiency (lack of blood flow through the vessel), and even occlusion (blockage) of blood vessels, which in turn can lead to temporary or permanent groin numbness, tingling sensations, decreased penile blood supply, erectile dysfunction (impotence), decreased orgasm sensitivity, and pain. These cycling-related perinea symptoms are the subject of this article. | 
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