Does cycling affect the prostate?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. One way of preventing or reducing the risks of prostate cancer is by exercising regularly.

Some time ago, I wrote this post for my long cycling health & fitness website on another platform. Since cycling weather is returning (at least in my region) I thought it was good info to share here with you.

If you’re bicycling a lot or riding to and from work every day then you’ve got the exercise part more-or-less covered. But you might wonder whether the activity is harming you.

After all, it does involve a lot of sitting.

**Cycling may cause an increase in prostate-specific antigen levels in men and could irritate the prostate to possibly lead to prostatitis. Yet, there is no data to show that cycling leads to prostate cancer, enlargement or even worsen existing prostate enlargement symptoms. **

So, if you’ve been fretting over the thought that cycling is tied to prostate cancer you should stop now. The thought, not the cycling.

Your long cycling commute has way more benefits than drawbacks.

Still, I understand why you might want to know a bit more about how cycling affects the prostate. So, I hope this post helps.

I am absolutely not an expert but I did do a little research and what comes next is what I’ve managed to learn.

How cycling affects the prostate

Based on what I learned, your long cycling commute doesn’t mean there’s a bigger chance you’ll have prostate problems like prostatitis or prostate cancer. And there isn’t any hard proof that bicycling makes the symptoms of an enlarged prostate worse.

Some studies recommend that men avoid cycling during episodes of prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This is something you should absolutely speak to your doctor about.

That said, it’s been documented that there is – in men – an increase of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels right after a long bike ride.

The higher PSA levels are temporary and any PSA-related cancer test would have to wait a few days.

Something else I was not aware of is that, along with higher PSA numbers, long bicycle rides can also experience genital numbness (also temporary).

That’s due to the compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the perineal area. And well, it is connected to a higher risk of erectile dysfunction.

Personally, I was glad to learn that a lot of this is temporary and / or can be reversed. There are steps you can take to make things better.

Reducing negative effects of cycling on the prostate

Fortunately, there are things you can do in order to avoid or seriously reduce negative effects cycling can have on the prostate and that entire area.

For example, you can stand up on the pedals regularly while you are undertaking your cycling commute or long bike ride.

There are also more mechanical steps which you can take. Most of them relate to your seat.

Wear padded cycling shorts
Do not tilt your bicycle seat upward
Use a (downward) curved nose, slotted or grooved or split bicycle seat – decreases the pressure on the nerves the the whole genitals area
The height of your seat should mean that your legs are almost fully extended when the pedal is at the lowest point
The handlebars should be raised to keep your torso somewhat upright

Following all or some of these things can lower the odds of cycling affecting your prostate (and general area).

In any case, the physical and mental health benefits of cycling are much greater than any possible issues resulting from a badly adjusted bicycle.

In the end…

Overall, the health benefits cycling provides are enormous. It’s known to lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, strokes, high cholesterol and obesity.

That said, in terms of cycling’s effect on the prostate, it is true that for a very short time it may raise a man’s prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. There are also weak reports that cycling may potentially lead to prostatitis.

As mentioned in this post, there are steps you can take to lower the odds of developing prostate issues even further.

Cycling itself will not cause you to develop prostate problems but if you have existing issues and you ride your bicycle a lot then you might want to discuss it with your doctor.

Personally – in my opinion – it would be a mistake to stop cycling and give up all the huge benefits it provides simply on the fear that you might possibly, perhaps, develop prostate problems.

Keep cycling and stay healthy!