The prostate is one of the smallest organs in a man's body, but it can develop potentially serious medical problems often requiring surgery. During the post-surgical recovery period, doctors often caution prostate patients to avoid exercise, particularly bicycling. But with rest and proper care, avid cyclists should be back in the saddle and able to ride in a short period.
Identification
The prostate gland is the size and shape of a walnut and part of the male reproductive system. It produces semen, the fluid that carries sperm from the testicles through the penis and out of the body through ejaculation. As you age, the prostate can grow larger and squeeze the nearby urethra, causing symptoms including urinary problems, an increased risk for infections, inflammation, an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Surgical removal of the prostate gland is one method used for cancer, but others include hormone treatments, radiation and chemotherapy.
Dangers
Recovery time following prostate treatments can range from days to week. Many doctors recommend waiting eight weeks after surgery before resuming exercise, although some, like Dr. Herbert Lepor of the Langone Medical Center at New York University, encourage their patients to return to unrestricted activities including cycling within three weeks. If you attempt cycling or other exercise too soon, it could lead to weakness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, feeling flushed and discomfort in the pelvic area. The Virginia Mason Medical Center suggests you do several shorter periods of exercise and gradually work up to longer sessions.
Benefits
A study by researchers in Sweden, published in the "British Journal of Cancer" in December 2009, investigated the benefits of physical activity in reducing prostate cancer risks and mortality. They followed more than 45,000 men age 45 to 79 for 10 years and found that men who exercised the most at work and/or for recreation had a significantly reduced incidence of prostate cancer. The risk for advanced prostate cancer was reduced 12 percent for every 30 minutes per day of lifetime walking or bicycling.
Saddles
Bicycle saddles often are blamed for the negative health effects on male cyclists, which can include pain and numbness in the groin and prostate, as well as erectile dysfunction. Using a different type of saddle could help prevent such problems. Options include a noseless saddle, which reduces saddle contact pressure in the perineal region; a recumbent seat made of nylon webbing that allows better air circulation around the buttocks and back to keep them cooler and drier; the split dual-padded Easy Seat; or moon-shaped and horseshoe-shaped seats.
Considerations
The prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test is the current gold standard for identifying prostate cancer. Although results are mixed about the effects of bicycling on the PSA test, "European Urology" reported in 2004 that a few studies have found a link between cycling and temporary elevated PSA levels, which might lead to a false screening. To be safe, avoid cycling before blood sampling.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know about Prostate Problems; February 2008
- "British Journal of Cancer"; A Prospective Study of Lifetime Physical Activity and Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality; N. Orsini, et al.; December 2009
- ScienceDaily: No-Nose Bicycle Saddles Improve Penile Sensation and Erectile Function in Bicycling Police Officers; August 2008
- "European Urology": The Vicious Cycling: Bicycling Related Urogenital Disorders; Ilan Leibovitcha and Yoram Morb; November 2004
- BikeRoute.com; Medical Benefits of Recumbent Bicycles; Paul K. Nolan, M.D.
- Langone Medical Center: Prostate Cancer Surgery
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