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Belgian gynaecologists have reported that six elite female cyclists all had an irreversible swelling on one side of their vulva. Tests showed it was lymphoedema, the same condition that women can get in their arms after breast surgery. While you're watching the Commonwealth Games, spare a thought for the female cyclists, because the sport can have long-lasting effects. Sore nipples, nerve damage and saddle sores are par for the course — but what would be far less welcome is what's recently been described as "bicyclists' vulva". Belgian gynaecologists have reported on six elite female cyclists in their twenties and thirties who'd cycled an average of nearly 500 kilometres per week for several years. They all had an irreversible swelling on one side of their vulva. Tests showed it was in fact lymphoedema — the same condition that women can get in their arms after breast surgery. In the case of the cyclists though, it wasn't cancer or surgery or the type of saddle or the clothing worn; it was damage to the lymph drainage from the pelvis, possibly as a result of repeated bouts of skin inflammation from the cycling itself. This shouldn't be a concern to women static cycling in gyms unless they're doing enormous distances. The advice from the specialists, though, was to treat skin problems in elite cyclists seriously and use cold compresses and physiotherapy judiciously. I'll let you know when they update on "cyclists' scrotum".
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