How This Popular Workout Can Cause Vaginal Pain—And How to Avoid It

How This Popular Workout Can Cause Vaginal Pain—And How to Avoid It

Naomi Moore Naomi Moore
2 minute read

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Did you know that cycling can cause tingling, numbness, and even pain in the vaginal area?

It’s true. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 62% of women cyclists experience this issue. The same discomfort is common for women who use exercise bikes.

Why does cycling lead to vaginal pain? The problem often lies with the bike seat. Most seats are either designed for men or made to be "one-size-fits-all."

However, women generally have wider hips and more soft tissue. As a result, when you sit on a typical bike seat, your weight may not rest on your sitting bones. Instead, it puts pressure on your soft tissue, causing friction that leads to numbness, tingling, and pain.

The good news? There are simple ways to prevent this discomfort. First, always choose a bike seat that is comfortable and wide enough to properly support your hips.

Second, invest in a chamois (pronounced "shammy"). A chamois is a padded bike short that provides extra protection in the crotch area, shielding your vagina from the friction that causes pain.

We recommend high-quality bike shorts from brands like Pearl Izumi, Louis Garneau, and Sugoi.

Stay strong and beautiful,
The Flower Power Team

 Sources:

1.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4343541/

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