Remember the joy of riding your bike as a kid? The wind in your face, heart pounding, popping wheelies, racing your friends, seeing who could leave the longest skid mark on the sidewalk... So why is it that now that you're all grown up, bike riding is, well, just plain painful?

You're not alone. The number one reason so many people give up bicycle riding is pain and numbness experienced while cycling. Medical research has found that pain, numbness, prostate issues, erectile dysfunction and fertility problems among cyclists can actually be caused by the saddles they are riding on. The culprit? The "nose" on your traditional bicycle saddle!

On a traditional saddle, your weight rests directly on an area called the perineum where the nerves and arteries enter the genitals. Nerves and arteries are compressed when straddling the saddle, which frequently causes numbness in the penile/scrotal area after cycling. It can also detract from blood supply to the penis and over time may cause numbness, erectile dysfunction, and low sperm count. Female cyclists may also experience numbness and permanent loss of sensation.

But take heart! There is a growing awareness in both the medical and cycling communities about this issue. Great strides are being taken to research and design alternatives to the traditional bike seat. These advances in technology mean you no longer have to grin and bear it or give up cycling as a fun and effective way to exercise.

Dr. Steven Schrader, PhD with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health just completed a study recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. They studied bicycle police officers from 5 metropolitan police departments who spent an average of 24 hours per week riding their bikes. The officers were asked to complete a questionnaire, and underwent computerized testing which measured how much pressure their current saddle put on their bodies. Tests were also administered to determine the quality of nighttime erections in male officers. Then the officers were given a choice of "noseless" bicycle saddles, which they were asked to ride exclusively for 6 months.

After 6 months of riding the "noseless" saddles, the officers were reevaluated. Only 3 out of 90 officers returned to riding a traditional saddle. Their medical reassessments showed that there was a 66% reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal region. There were also significant improvements in penile sensation and erectile function. The number of men who reported experiencing numbness decreased by 55% while riding a "noseless" saddle. Regarding his findings, Dr. Schrader said that it was no longer a question of "whether or not bicycle riding on a saddle causes erectile dysfunction. The question is, what are we going to do about it?"

Saddle makers listened, and are doing something about it! This is one example of real medical evidence that has encouraged many companies to design innovative new saddles that reduce soft tissue pressure. And the best news is they work!

Some of these saddles are "noseless" models, including the MoonSaddle, the Spiderflex, the Spongy Wonder and the Hobson EasySeat II. Other seats, such as the ISM Adamo Road Saddle and the Selle SMP Strike Pro still have the "nose" we are all too familiar with, however there is a groove which runs down the "nose" to offer relief from pressure on the soft tissues. However, be advised that current medical research (as shown in a recent article by Tom Valeo published on WebMd.com, titled "Biking and Erectile Dysfunction: A Real Risk?" (http://men.webmd.com/features/biking-and-erectile-dysfunction-a-real-risk) show these grooved models actually increase pressure on the soft tissues.

Similar findings have been reported with gel or heavily padded saddles. Gel or padded saddles that are supposed to minimize the pressure on the perineum don't solve the problem, because they don't eliminate it. Often, the problem is made worse with soft materials bunching up against your soft tissues. Only "noseless" designs like the MoonSaddle, which use the body's own skeletal system for natural support, eliminate this issue. While more padding may feel more comfortable in the short term, the long term effects are no better.

This problem not only affects men, but women are at risk too--it's just not as obvious. While women have not been studied as much, Schrader found that the genitalia of competitive female cyclists are desensitized by long hours of riding.

The earliest warning sign is numbness or tingling. "Numbness is your body telling you something is wrong," said Dr. Irwin Goldstein, MD, a sexual dysfunction researcher and former professor of urology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Now, this does not mean that every person who rides on a traditional saddle is going to have these problems. It is not yet known what makes some people more susceptible to these problems than others. Weight may play a role. However, if you take preventative measures you will be at a lower risk.

I spoke with Mr. Dennis Bell, the engineer who designed the MoonSaddle bicycle saddle. When asked why most people still ride traditional saddles in light of the medical research and new options available, he replied "It is a matter of what is perceived as normal. If we had all grown up riding a "noseless" bicycle saddle, we wouldn't even be having this conversation." He went on to say that many cyclists are too embarrassed to admit they are having these issues. He speaks from experience... The reason he became motivated to design a "noseless" saddle was to solve his own bout with "boy problems", as he refers to his past health issues. "The relationship between erectile dysfunction and bicycling wasn't widely noticed in cycling circles until 1997 when Ed Pavelka, former executive editor of Bicycling Magazine, acknowledged his own erectile difficulties after a year of high-mileage cycling", Bell added.

Are there downsides to riding a noseless bicycle saddle? "Not in my opinion. With any "noseless" model, you will sacrifice a small measure of balance and maneuverability. Most people do not find this to be noticeable or a problem once they adjust to riding the "noseless" saddles", Bell said. "Noseless models may not work as well for more extreme, off-road type riding, but for most of us the only thing you wind up missing is the numbness!"

Now the choice is up to you, and you do have a choice-finally! Take back the joy of cycling you experienced in your youth. Feel the wind in your face again! Take control of your health. Get some exercise, take off those unwanted pounds, and protect your delicate derriair! Go green and save money on fuel costs by riding your bike to work.... Get back in the saddle! No pressure.