Most Common Cycling issues for women

Women and Bicycles are two words which don’t often come in a single sentence. It is generally men who are associated with bicycling. This is, but a myth as there are many stats and studies that suggest women take active participation in cycling.

• 82% of women have a positive view of bicycling
• 60% of bicycle owners aged 17 to 28 years old are women
• Bicycle riding is ranked 9 out of 47 popular sports for women surpassing tennis and softball
• 45% paid staff at bicycle advocacy are women
• 630 – The current number of active blogs relating to women and biking

Having said that, there are some troubles in paradise which have come to light more recently. Women who go for high volume cycling have experienced serious health conditions in their genital area. One of the infamous one that was recognized recently is Bicyclist’s Vulva.

Bicyclist’s Vulva

Bicyclist’s vulva is a condition of female genital parts in which irreversible swelling on one side of the vulva is observed. The condition was first observed in six elite female cyclists of high volume cycling in their twenties and thirties who’d cycled an average of nearly 500 kilometres per week for several years. Tests show that the swelling is in fact lymphoedema — the same condition that women can get in their arms after breast surgery.

In case of the six cyclists mentioned, the position of the bicycle saddle, the type of shorts worn, and the women’s perineal hygiene were all in optimum condition. What caused the swelling was the damage to the lymph drainage from the pelvis, possibly as a result of repeated bouts of skin inflammation from the cycling itself.

Symptoms

• Unilateral swelling of the genital area
• Mild pain and discomfort in the genital area
• Sore nipples
• Nerve damage
• Lymph nodes

Pathophysiology

• Continuous pressure on the vulva resulted in lymph drainage from the inguinal region and eventually resulted in inflammation of perineal area.
• Increased saddle time also aggravates the condition. It is important to stand and cycle in regular intervals to reduce the effect.
• Increased bend position of the cyclists also increases the pressure on the vulva. The pressure is more when the back is 40^o from horizontal as compared to 60^o from horizontal.
• The type of saddle also has an impact. Research shows that cut out saddle has more pressure impact on soft tissues as compared to flat saddles.

Diagnosis

Bicyclist’s Vulva is usually diagnosed clinically by taking proper physical examination. Patient’s history of conditions is also taken into account to rule out other pre-existing causes such as previous history of lymphedema. This condition should be differentiated from other vulval conditions such as bartholin’s cyst, cellulitis, vulval hematoma, furuncle, soft tissue abscess.

Preventive measures

1. Decreasing the saddle time
2. Raising the handle bar
3. More standing during cycling
4. Changing the saddle type from cut to flat or flat to cut
5. Wearing padded shorts
6. Use of cold compress
7. Maintaining perineal hygiene
8. Regular Physiotherapy

This shouldn’t be a concern to women who static cycle in gyms unless they’re doing enormous distances. Bicyclist’s vulva is very much preventable by following the above mentioned procedures and treating the skin problems in cyclists seriously. If you feel even a mild discomfort in your genital area while cycling, Consult the Best Gynaecologists in Hyderabad immediately.