Bicycles and groin pain aren't supposed to go together. You should be able to enjoy a comfortable ride without grimacing during every pedal stroke. Unfortunately, pain in the groin area is a common complaint among cyclists. It's usually the result of saddle problems and too much pressure on your seat.
Perineum Pressure
If you're experiencing groin pain during your ride, it means that your perineum is under stress. The perineum is the area between your sit bones, the ischial tuberosities in your buttocks that make contact with your saddle. It's vital that you don't place too much pressure on your perineum, since it's the junction of major nerves and arteries that control your lower body. Too much pressure there can cause everything from numbness and tingling, to sexual dysfunction and prostate problems.
Saddle Problems
Because perineum pressure can cause physical problems, most bicycles come with perineum-friendly saddles. They include extra padding and grooves down the center to help relieve pressure where your perineum makes contact with the seat. Those features alone may not be enough to help you, so you may need a specially-designed saddle. It could also be possible that your seat is not at the proper height or tilt for the way you ride, and that may be causing your groin pain.
Saddle Fixes
Before you buy a new saddle, try double-checking your bike fit. Your saddle height should allow your leg to remain slightly bent at the bottom of a pedal stroke. This means that when you straddle your bicycle, your tip toes should just touch the ground. Consider your saddle tilt as well. It should be parallel to the ground. If that position is uncomfortable, try tilting the saddle forward slightly to relieve pressure on the perineum.
Specially-Designed Saddles
Saddles designed to relieve pressure on the perineum come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. You can find saddles that are noseless, moon-shaped, horseshoe-shaped and some that are even made of two small saddles, one for each sit bone. Some saddles have extra wide or deep channels to provide relief. You'll have to sit on a saddle to know which is right for you. Look for saddles with extra gel padding, high-tech fabric coverings that wick away moisture and titanium rails.
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