Erectile dysfunction in cyclists - Is there any difference in penile bloodflow during cycling in an upright versus a reclining position?

Objective: Perineal compression during bicycling appears to be responsible for some cases of erectile dysfunction. Material and Methods: In 46 healthy athletic men transcutaneous penile oxyg en pressure (tpO(2)) at the glands of the penis was measured, using a trans cutaneous measurement device. It has been shown that the tpO(2) levels meas ured at the glans correlate with the penile blood flow. Our measurements we re performed before, during and after cycling in an upright and a reclining position in a crossover study. Results: The mean transcutaneous pO(2) at the glans in a standing position before biking was 60.5 +/- 8.1 mm Hg. It decreased after sitting on the sad dle in an upright position to 17.9 +/- 3.9 mm Hg. Continued cycling in a se ated upright position showed pO(2) levels of 18.3 +/- 5.2 mm Hg, with a ful l return to normal pO(2) values after a 10-min recovery period in a standin g position. Cycling in a reclining position resulted in pO(2) levels of 59. 4 +/- 4.2 mm Hg, a similar level to that obtained before exercising. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrated that there is a defiency in penile perfusion caused by perineal arterial compression. Cycli ng in a reclining position - in which no perineal compression was seen - ca used no alteration in penile blood flow during exercising. Therefore, we su ggest cycling in a reclining position to avoid health hazards - such as pen ile numbness and hypoxygenation of the corpora cavernosa, which can result in impotency. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.