Cycling should be a fun and enjoyable way to get around, to exercise and to get healthy. One of the last things any man wants is to experience pain in the testicles from an afternoon's ride. If you have testicular pain after riding, consider the most probable causes and the best solutions.
Causes
There are several possible causes of testicle pain from cycling. Narrow seats can put pressure on the perineum, the soft tissue between your genitalia and anus. This will inhibit blood flow, causing numbness and pain in your genitalia. If you ride over rough roads or mountains, your testicles may suffer from shocks absorbed through the seat. Lastly, your riding position or seat fit and adjustment may place uneven pressure on both or just one of your testicles, especially at the nose of the seat.
Seat Adjustment
The first solution to preventing testicle pain from cycling is to make sure your current seat is adjusted properly. You need to adjust the seat's height, tilt, lateral position, and rotation. The seat's height should allow you to spread your weight evenly between your seat and your handlebars. Adjust the lateral position for easy reach to the handlebars. Start with the tilt set perfectly flat and then experiment with having it point up or down slightly, testing your comfort with brief rides after each adjustment. Finally, adjust the nose of your seat so that it is not pointed left or right of the bike frame.
Seat Fit
If your seat is not comfortable after you have properly adjusted it, you may need to purchase a new seat that fits properly. The padded rear of the seat is meant to support your sit bones, or ischial tuberosities. These hard bones are meant to bear your body's weight so you aren't sitting on your perineum's soft tissue. Finding a seat that fits properly will allow you to contact the seat naturally. When looking at new seats, consider those that have a space carved out or removed from the middle of the seat. This feature is meant to reduce pressure on your testicles and other sensitive areas.
Considerations
If you are experiencing moderate pain in the testicles from cycling, avoid cycling until you know what the problem is. In some cases, your pain may not be caused by cycling, only exacerbated by it. If proper seat adjustment and fit do not solve your problem, or the pain becomes more intense, consult your physician immediately for an exam. Other health problems like hernias will cause testicular pain that is made worse by cycling.
