Bicycle Seats

  I am a 61 year old man with several symptoms of BPH.  I can live with it at this point.  However, I like to ride a bike and notice that after about half an hour I feel my seat pressing against what I assume is my prostate. Fpr several hours afterwards I am aware of this area of my body.  No pain, just a sensation of something there.  My question: Do you recommend any particular kind of bike seat for comfort? Can riding hurt my prostate, precipitate cancer, or exacerbate the BPH?  Any other thoughts or suggestions? I don't ride more than an hour or two per day and would hate to give up this form of excercise.  Thanks.
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Dear Bob
Thanks for your question.
The bike riding is probably doing more good than harm.  It is good exercise from a cardiac standpoint.  There have been no studies known to date that associate prostate cancer and bike riding.  Pressure on the prostate f from  bike riding has been reported as a reason for an elevated  PSA ( prostate specific antigen), in a few long distant bikers. which  causes an erroneous elevation in the PSA.    Some men report an exacerbation of their prostatism when they sit for an extended period of time. The decision regarding which bike seat  to purchase should be based on your comfort.  A wider one will add more support across the ischial tuberosities and should give you less perineal pressure.  Note that there is an  association between urethral stricture disease (scarring and narrowing of the urethra),  penile numbness as well as impotence and bicycle riding. A wider and less rigid seat should be of help in the prevention and care of these problems.
Hope this has helped.
More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling  (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any physicians

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