Bicycle Seat caused sexual problems

After riding in a 150 mile bicycle event I started having some sexual problems.  I had ridden the same event a year before without incident, but on the second year I purchased a new saddle because of some discomfort and numbness.  The new saddle was a split rail (the seat is split in half) and I have recently read that the smaller amount of surface area might have concentrated the pressure to a sensitive area and worsened the effect.  Anyway, the initial problem was difficulty getting/maintaining an erection and semen leaking out whenever aroused (not right away, but soon after arousal and without it being noticed until it happened).  I would also get periods of extreme irritation at the tip of my penis and a need to urinate often.  I went to a Urologist, who basically suggested Viagra and didn't think it was strange that there was some leakage during arousal.  I relayed that I thought it was strange since it never happened before.  About 8 months after the bike ride, things started to get better.  The leaking lessened and eventually stopped and the erections were not hard to get, but still difficult to maintain and the "quality" of them was not so great.  Not as rigid as normal and the head would not swell as much as it should.  Now its been almost 2 years and I feel like the improvement plateaued at about the 1 year mark.

Around the same time (that all of this started) I also started passing solid particles while urinating (I had never had kidney stones before).  To be clear, this would happen often, sometimes daily and continue for several months.  This was never painful, but it would be irritating and whenever I had them, irritation would persist all along what felt like the tract the stone would follow.  The stones cleared up and then every once in a while, for a few days it would happen again, sandy particles usually a few to sometimes 20 or more at a time.  My Urologist tested a sample of the particle and said they were a calcified, infectious type of kidney stone.  He sent me for an Ultrasound that showed my kidneys to be clear, yet I still had a few pass after the ultrasound.  Just recently he sent me for a CT Scan that shows a 1 cm calcified mass in my bladder and a few days ago, for the first time in many months, I again passed a large number of stones (again with no pain).

Are the two in any way related?  My doctor say absolutely not.  And are there any avenues to explore as far as "fixing" the sexual problem rather than treating it with Viagra?  I tried a sample pack of it and it worked very well, but I would prefer not to have to medicate if its not necessary.  Plus, I would assume that if the Viagra worked, that might mean that perhaps the bloodflow is being impared due to compression from the bicycle seat, and/or nerve damage.  Basically I would also like to know if my doctor is giving me all of my alternatives and if I should resign myself to them or should I get another opinion?  I am 28 years old.

Thanks for your time

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Although possible, it is unlikely that the symptoms are related.  To further evaluate the anatomy, a cystoscopy can be considered.  I would also consider a penile ultrasound to evaluate if there is appropriate blood flow.

Blood tests to look for testosterone or thyroid abnormalities, or diabetes can all be considered.

If the symptoms continue, I would not hesitate to obtain another urological opinion.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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