Horseback Riding: Impact On Sexual Dysfunction And Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms In Men And Women

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation;  Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 27 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Does Persistent Perineal Impact Increase Likelihood of LUTS and Sexual Dysfunction?

UroToday.com - Bicycle riding has been reported to be related to male sexual dysfunction. Dr. Shaheen Alanee and colleagues from Minneapolis hypothesized that similar force impacts might be seen in equestrian sports. They sought to evaluate the effect of horseback riding on urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction in men and women. Swimmers were used as a control group.

Twelve hundred and fifty surveys were sent to equestrian clubs and 750 surveys were sent to swim clubs and over 300 questionnaires were distributed by hand. Responders (15% by direct mail and 31% from manual distribution) filled out the American Urologic Association Symptom Index, the abridged International Inventory of Erectile Dysfunction, and a sexual questionnaire developed by the authors for women.

Horseback riding was not significantly associated with sexual dysfunction in males. Age and the years of bicycling were significantly associated with sexual function in males. Age was another factor affecting the incidence of sexual function in males. In women, horseback riding was not associated with urinary symptoms, though greater age increased the risk and marriage seemed to decrease the risk of LUTS. No aspect of female sexual dysfunction was associated with horseback riding.

Based on this study, one can surmise that horseback riding need not be contraindicated in patients with BPS nor is it likely to be a risk factor based on current available information.

Alanee S, Heiner J, Liu N, Monga M
Urology. 2008 Oct 22. Epub ahead of print.
doi:10.1016/j.urology.2008.07.058

Written by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Philip M. Hanno, MD, MPH

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