LET'S TALK ABOUT...GENITAL HEALTH

Long spells in the saddle can put our nether regions in jeopardy - but most of the risks can be prevented or at least managed. Chris Marshall-Belltackles the taboo

- Marshall-Belltackles

“It completely freaked me out,” says Sam Ford. “I’m young, I’m fit and healthy, I shouldn’t be getting erectile dysfunction (ED). Aches and pains are associated with sport and especially cycling, but getting two bouts of ED was like, ‘what the f**k is going on here – I panicked.”

Ford (not his real name) has agreed to tell his story to help raise awareness of a problem that, though common, is rarely discussed. A competitive regional racer in his mid-20s, he started suffering dull testicular ache, urinary incontinence, and the need to pee more frequently after increasing his training volume to between 20 and 25 hours a week during the first lockdown. On two occasions, he experienced problems getting an erection. “It was a low point because going to the doctor at my age about ED was not something I thought I’d have to do.”

Ford’s experience of cycling-related genital worries is far from unique. Male and female riders can be affected by these often embarrassing and definitely unwanted issues. Chloe Whatmore (not her real name) suffered a flare-up of genital herpes after cycling. “It was unpleasant, of course,” says Whatmore, who is in her early-40s. “It was absolutely not something I wanted to be managing. It affected my cycling and it’s not a nice condition to have to deal with.” The herpes simplex virus, also responsible for cold sores, is incredibly common – 70% of people catch it sooner or later, according to the Herpes Viruses Association.