Men over 50 can improve their sex lives by cycling

Staying healthy during your golden years has many health benefits. In addition to providing you with a good quality of life, you also have the opportunity to bring together like-minded people with whom you can work out. An added bonus? Certain exercises can even help you slow down aging.

Not surprisingly, exercise can improve your sex life, too. Choosing the right method for men over 50 may depend on your specific health concerns, fitness level, and, of course, personal preference. But one exercise in particular can help in a variety of ways. If you’re interested in improving your sex life through fitness, you might want to consider cycling. We know what you’re probably thinking—what about the whole debate about cycling causing erectile dysfunction (ED)? We’ll discuss this later. But now, let’s look at how cycling can boost your sex life.

First, the risk of ED increases with age, although the condition can affect men of any age. Regular aerobic exercise, such as cycling, is a healthier alternative to medication for men with erection problems, research has found. Study in 2023 Published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Cycling is also less harmful to the joints as it has a lower impact compared to other sports such as running, making it ideal for men over 50 who suffer from joint-related problems such as arthritis. Cycling reduces the risk of further stress on your joints, among other benefits.

Aging brings many health problems, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Underlying health problems can directly affect the quality of your relationship. Blood flow problems caused by damage to blood vessels and nerves from diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may cause erection problems in men. Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent chronic disease. Cycling, in particular, improves circulation and strengthens heart muscles, experts say. It also fights high blood pressure. As certified sports physical therapist Josh Weight explains (via Bicycle Network), “Older adults can reduce their risk of chronic disease by incorporating cycling into their daily lives.”

What’s more, you’ll strengthen your body and make it look better, both of which can boost your confidence in your sex life. It doesn’t hurt that the muscles exercised by cycling (thighs and buttocks) are especially useful during sexual activity. "All of these muscles are used during sex. The more developed these muscles are, the longer and more athletic intercourse will be," adds Dr. Matthew Forsyth, a Portland urologist. Forbes.

Exercise is also a known mood booster. It relieves stress and releases feel-good chemicals (endorphins), both of which are pluses in the bedroom. The benefit of biking is that you’re outdoors, possibly surrounded by nature—another foolproof way to boost your mood. Turning now to the ED debate as it relates to cycling.

Experts and research findings appear to be divided on this topic. According to urologists and pelvic surgeons, Dr. Reena Maliksitting on a bicycle seat may put pressure on the perineum (the area between the anus and scrotum), especially the pudendal nerve and pudendal artery. Experts add that compression of the pudendal nerve may cause sensory-related problems over time, while compression of the pudendal artery may affect blood flow to the perineum, leading to ischemia. Symptoms of ischemia may manifest as erectile dysfunction and numbness of the area, the latter of which is one of the common problems while cycling. "But the good news is that these symptoms are usually temporary and improve over time," Dr. Malik shares.

large multinational corporations Learning in 2018 A study published in the Journal of Urology involving nearly 4,000 athletes found that cycling was no worse than swimming or running on sexual or urinary function. However, the study did find a correlation between cycling and urethral stricture. According to a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis publish In the Oxford Review of Academic Medicine, there was limited evidence showing a link between cycling and ED.

However, if you’re worried about your vaginal area, there are some things you can do. Research from 2018 actually states that increased standing time and higher handlebar height while biking can reduce the chances of genital numbness. Experts agree, which leads us to our next point.

If you’re new to cycling, it might be a good idea to discuss your fitness level and health concerns with your doctor before adding it to your schedule. Although cycling is a low-intensity aerobic exercise, it does exercise your heart muscles and lungs, so getting clearance from your healthcare provider may ease any concerns you have.

Next is choosing the right type of bike, helmet and gear. Your helmet should fit snugly against your head, and your bike seat should be positioned comfortably so you can easily reach the handlebars and pedals. If you’re worried about sexual function-related issues, choose a wider bike with extra padding on the seat and wear padded bike shorts. It also helps to choose a noseless seat, or at least tilt the nose down for short periods of time between rides to relieve pressure on the perineum. In fact, an evaluation of 90 bike police officers showed a 66% reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal area and an improvement in penile tactile sensation while riding on a noseless saddle. old research Published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Making sure you can reach the handlebars comfortably without leaning too far forward can also relieve pressure on your perineum. The same goes for cycling while standing and sitting alternately.

Listening to your body, choosing a route that works for you, and warming up are other tips to keep in mind. Speaking of exercise, men, and sex, there are some exercises that men should avoid before sex.