Baeyens et al (2002) Bicyclist’s vulva: observational study

This study from over twenty years ago by sports gynaecologists had 6 women, aged 21-38 years that were presenting a unilateral chronic swelling of the labium majus after a few years of cycling (an average of 462.5 km per week). All six had typical unilateral lymphoedema (five on the right side, one on the left) which was more severe after more intense and longer training. They noted that it was possible in these six women that lymphatic disease was there before (latent lymphoedema) but was exposed by lots of cycling. They explain that “Vulvar lymphoedema may be caused by a combination of chronic inflammation in the vulvoperineal area —very common in competitive cyclists—with damage to lymphatic vessels and repeated compression of the inguinal lymphatic vessels due to the curved posture of the cyclists.” The paper shows a photo of one of the cyclists and the swelling is very extreme.