Taboo topics in cycling: Seat discomfort, digestion & co. - we need to talk about them

There are topics in cycling that people like to talk about. Perhaps even with a little pride. Which gloves are best to wear to avoid the "annoying" performance stripes on your hands, for example. Or whether Zwift displays the wattage correctly, because if it did, you would have made amazing improvements. And then there are topics that many people prefer to keep quiet about. Because they are unpleasant. A bit embarrassing. Or sound like weakness. But these are precisely the topics that need to be discussed. Because on the one hand, they are not that rare. On the other hand, some problems that could be solved quickly can turn into real problems that take days, weeks or months to heal.

Boils: the evil at the root of the hair

Such problems include, for example, the palm-sized accumulation of pus due to a boil that was ignored for too long, which sports physician Dr Ursula Manunzio once had to cut open on a cyclist's bottom. "Boils are basically harmless at first," says the head of the Competitive and Recreational Sports Department at Bonn University Hospital. In this bacterial skin inflammation, pus accumulates around the root of a body hair. "If the friction of cycling shorts during the pedalling movement is added to this in areas with a lot of hair, such as the genital area or buttocks, the likelihood of a boil developing increases. Basically, this can happen to anyone," explains Ursula Manunzio.

"It doesn't always have to do with a lack of hygiene." If you notice a reddened and painful swelling the size of a cherry stone on your bum, there is no need to be ashamed. On the contrary: if the boil has not disappeared on its own after three days, those affected should see a doctor. "You can't really get to the typical boils yourself. You shouldn't press on them anyway," warns the sports doctor. If you do or ignore the problem, there is a risk that the pathogens will spread and with them the inflammation. There is no reliable method to prevent boils from developing in the first place. Shaving is certainly no protection, according to the motto: where there is no hair, there is no boil. In fact, according to Ursula Manunzio, clipped hair in the genital area can easily grow in. This can also favour the development of boils.

Cystitis: Non-stop pit stop

Another inflammation that many people don't like to talk about is that of the bladder. Who wants to annoy their fellow cyclists with constant pit stops? The good news is that cystitis is not usually caused by cycling. "If anything, it could be due to a seat cushion that hasn't been washed regularly and has harboured bacteria," speculates sports doctor Ursula Manunzio. In the case of cystitis, these bacteria enter the bladder via the urethra, multiply there and cause inflammation of the bladder mucosa. The symptoms: a constant urge to urinate (usually only a few drops) as well as stabbing pain or a burning sensation when urinating; both can radiate to the back or abdomen. "Women are more likely to be affected than men, as their urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to penetrate," explains Ursula Manunzio and advises drinking at least two litres a day to flush out the pathogens if symptoms occur. Those affected should see a doctor if they develop a fever or pain in the kidney area, feel nauseous and vomit.

Numbness in the genital area: what to do when it tingles?

A cycling evergreen is numbness and tingling in the genital area. As both usually only occur temporarily, many people take it for granted and keep quiet. "In fact, short-term numbness is usually harmless," confirms Christian Manunzio, a sports scientist at the German Sport University Cologne. "They occur when pressure is exerted on nerves and blood vessels in the saddle."

When you get off your bike, tingling and numbness usually disappear. If they persist or if you experience pain or erectile or sexual dysfunction, this is a case for the bike fitter and/or doctor. Be honest with them about the symptoms and their location, even if it seems uncomfortable. You are in good company. Depending on which study you consult, 60 to 90 per cent of frequent cyclists are affected by numbness. "Prolonged pressure on the perineal area can lead to various health problems," warns Christian Manunzio. As a short-term immediate measure, he therefore recommends regularly pedalling in an upright position and taking breaks to reduce the pressure on the perineal area. If necessary, adjusting the saddle position (tip slightly downwards) can also alleviate the symptoms.

Overtraining: More than tired

Sometimes, however, cyclists not only have the feeling that something is wrong "down below", but that something is wrong in general. Training doesn't really want to go well. The intervals suddenly feel far too hard, the desire to cycle is steadily decreasing and there is always this leaden tiredness. Of course, you would never admit that you feel overwhelmed. You always used to. But: "If you're not just a bit flat after a hard week of training, but have the feeling of permanently reduced performance, you could be overtraining," says sports doctor Ursula Manunzio. However, this diagnosis is not so easy to make. Because overtraining can have many different symptoms - and none of them can be clearly categorised as "sports burnout".

Constant fatigue, chills, a lack of ability to regenerate, motivation problems, a pulse that is too high or too low for several days and sleep problems may indicate that you are possibly overtraining. In women, periods also stop at a certain point. "Endurance athletes with high volumes, such as cyclists, tend to be particularly at risk. Especially amateur athletes who also have to manage their daily routine," warns Ursula Manunzio. If you have persistent, seemingly unfounded motivation and performance problems, you should make an appointment with a sports doctor. "They can help you adjust your diet and training load so that you can get out of overtraining," she says. Those affected don't usually need to stop exercising altogether - but they do need to be patient: Once you are so deep into overtraining that it becomes physically and mentally noticeable, you have to reckon with six to twelve months of "regeneration time".

Nutrition: the great unknown

Eating disorders are not uncommon in amateur sport. Experts estimate the proportion of those affected at 10 to 20 per cent. Especially in disciplines where weight plays a role - such as cycling. But even if their eating behaviour is not (yet) disturbed, some racing cyclists have probably already stood at the buffet in the training camp hotel or in front of their own larder and wondered whether the second portion of pasta is not excessive or whether the chocolate pudding for dessert will ruin their hard-earned shape. Prof Dr Karsten Köhler, Head of the Chair of Exercise, Nutrition and Health at the Department of Health and Sport Sciences at the Technical University of Munich, advises common sense. Regardless of whether it's alcohol, sugar or fat. "Cyclists don't get a free pass, but they tend to be allowed to indulge a little more than non-athletes," he reassures.

The fact that they can do this is due to their metabolism. It works more diligently in active people than in couch potatoes. According to the nutrition expert, most foods are only really harmful to health if the body is constantly supplied with more of something than it can process. In other words, there is nothing wrong with an occasional glass of wine or a piece of cake as a reward, as long as you eat it consciously. Fat that comes from fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oilsis okay, healthy - and even necessary to be able to process certain vitamins.

Digestive problems: Alarm in the intestine

Those who repeatedly Digestive problems on the bike If you have work to do, get flatulence or have to go to the loo on the way, you should take a critical look at what you eat up to an hour before and during the ride or race. High-fat or high-fibre foods stay in the stomach longer than white flour products or low-fat quark with berries, for example, and may therefore not have been digested by the time you get into the saddle. Under stress, the gastrointestinal tract is less supplied with blood and digestion is less effective. This is why cyclists should consume several small amounts of energy during the activity, advises Karsten Köhler. Even a slowed digestive tract can process this. Problems arise when the digestive tract is overloaded. "Make a meal plan and set a 'food alarm' on your bike computer if necessary," recommends the nutrition expert.

Cycle and pregnancy: athletic periodic table

Cycle-based training is now attracting more and more attention. There are now numerous articles and books on when in the cycle intensive training is appropriate and when quiet basic units are appropriate, and some coaches incorporate this knowledge into their training planning. But talking about your period on a mixed ride? Better not. Only around a third of female cyclists don't have period pains. All the others are plagued by abdominal pain, stomach cramps and mood swings. Dr Maja Heinrigs, a gynaecologist with a practice in Munich and an enthusiastic cyclist herself, knows that they can still go cycling: "Sport and exercise help with period pains."

If the pain is too severe, heat and magnesium can help relieve cramps and: "Allow yourself to rest," says the gynaecologist. Accordingly, easy rolling is the order of the day or, for those who don't feel comfortable with pain in the saddle, light stretching or yoga. By the way: Listening to your body also applies to cycling during pregnancy. "If you haven't ridden a bike before, you shouldn't necessarily start during pregnancy. However, if you have been cycling for a long time, you can continue to do the sport, at the latest until your stomach becomes an obstacle to your cycling position," says Maja Heinrigs. Cycling can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or perinatal depression, among other things. However, expectant mothers should reduce their ambition and intensity. "If you experience breathing difficulties or abdominal pressure, you should stop cycling," warns the gynaecologist. Cycling is usually also taboo for high-risk pregnancies. In this case, rest for mother and child is usually the order of the day. Talk to your gynaecologist about what is advisable and right for you in your individual case.