Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

What’s the real reason women remove their pubic hair?

Jennifer Gunter, MD
Conditions
November 28, 2016
648 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

A study published in JAMA Dermatology regarding women’s pubic hair grooming practices has people abuzz. This cosmetic act needs a formal medical name because “clamscaping” just doesn’t work on grant applications. Although why the authors couldn’t go with hair removal, I don’t know. The study wasn’t about styling, it was about removal. The study even made it into the New York Times. And yes, my first ever quotes in the Gray Lady were about pubic hair.

The study’s findings are no surprise to me. The majority of women have done some kind of pubic hair removal, and it’s more common among younger, white women with some college education or a bachelor’s degree. But I have heard women say they remove their pubic hair because it’s gray and they don’t want to appear older. It also doesn’t surprise me that 40% of women felt they needed to groom before going to the gynecologist and that 59% of women thought it was more hygienic or cleaner.

We don’t know much about the physical ramifications of pubic hair removal.

Pubic hair is like eyebrow hair — we have it for a reason. Pubic hair is a physical barrier for the genital skin and traps dirt and debris, just as eyebrow hair protects the eyes from sweat. We are a fine-tuned product of evolution and almost everything we have serves a biologic purpose.

We do know that women can get ingrown hairs, abscesses and injuries from pubic hair removal. But if women remove all of their pubic hair chronically or permanently, are they more prone to develop irritation of the vulva? I believe that I see more issues with chronic vulvar irritation (lichen simplex chronicus) among women who remove all their pubic hair regularly, but I admit that’s an observation that needs validating or refuting. Anecdotally, I also see a lot of women with chronic genital irritation after laser hair removal.

Hair also has mechanoreceptors (touch receptors) around the follicle, so stroking parts of the body with hair feels different compared with stroking hairless areas. Does removing pubic hair physically change the way touch is perceived on the genitals for better or worse?

Could removing pubic hair affect bacterial and yeast colonization on the skin?

We also don’t know if removing pubic hair is driving the increased trend in labial reductions. Without pubic hair, the labia minora often appear more prominent.

As far as the health ramifications of pubic hair removal are concerned, we don’t know what we don’t know. My advice is: whatever you do, be cautious about doing something permanent.

You should think about your pubic hair like you think about your eyebrows.

No physician would ever say removing eyebrows is beneficial medically. When I get my eyebrows waxed, I do it because I like a nice arch. If I didn’t groom my brows, it would look like I had a feral mouse laying atop each eye. I choose to wax because when I tweeze, I overdo it. I don’t thread because there are reports of wart virus (human papilloma virus) transmission from esthetician to customer. I choose a salon that does not double dip in the wax.

This time, I had a different esthetician and my eyelid was burned in two spots. I put on my big girl panties and accepted that I made a choice. There was a consequence to that choice, and I am ok with it. Next time, I will not book a last-minute appointment.

I would never wax my eyebrows — or anywhere else — because of some guy (or girl), but that’s me.

It took me a while to learn that I wax for me. I have done many cosmetic things in the past for men and I regretted every single one. In my opinion, if your partner has ideas about how you could “look better,” then they aren’t invested in you — they are invested in themselves or it’s about control.

I wear make-up for me, I dress up for me and I wax my eyebrows for me. I’ve been divorced twice, so I’m not exactly a relationship guru, but your partner should value what makes you happy and comfortable. Women receive so many negative messages about looks. The person who claims to love you shouldn’t be adding to that shit show.

Pubic hair removal is personal and cosmetic, not medical.

If a woman likes how she looks with no pubic hair, great. If she prefers business on top and party down below (think a reverse mullet), great. If she likes a modest bikini shape, great. If she likes au naturel, great. Whatever she likes and makes her feel best is great.

We don’t know if removing pubic hair is health-neutral or if there are potential downsides, so that’s something to keep in mind. Sure, you might be less likely to get pubic lice, but we don’t suggest every kid 12 and under have their head shaved regularly to prevent head lice.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t remove your pubic hair. It simply means, don’t do it for your gynecologist or because you think it is healthier. If you choose to remove your pubic hair, do it because it pleases you cosmetically or sexually and you accept that there is a small potential for injury and some possible unknown consequences of chronic, long-term removal.

Jennifer Gunter is an obstetrician-gynecologist and author of the Preemie Primer. She blogs at her self-titled site, Dr. Jen Gunter.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Makeup and the female physician

November 28, 2016 Kevin 1
…
Next

A startling end to nurse turf wars

November 28, 2016 Kevin 2
…

Tagged as: OB/GYN

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Makeup and the female physician
Next Post >
A startling end to nurse turf wars

More by Jennifer Gunter, MD

  • The Ellen Show broadcasts potentially harmful information about ovarian cancer screening

    Jennifer Gunter, MD
  • Dear science: an appreciation

    Jennifer Gunter, MD
  • Are there too many female OB/GYNs?

    Jennifer Gunter, MD

Related Posts

  • Why social media may be causing real emotional harm

    Edwin Leap, MD
  • The real reason why the National Health Service survives

    Dr. Saurabh Jha
  • A medical student finds a reason to dance

    Nikita Mittal
  • Social media: The ultimate tool for women in medicine

    Meridith J. Englander, MD
  • Protect the women who protect us

    Kellie Lease Stecher, MD
  • Protecting Black women’s maternal health is urgent

    Cessilye R. Smith

More in Conditions

  • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

    Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD
  • Proposed USPSTF guideline update: Advocating for earlier breast cancer screening at age 40

    Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
  • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

    Alice S. Y. Lee, MD
  • Urgent innovation needed to address growing mental health crisis among children and families

    Monika Roots, MD
  • The importance of listening in health care: a mother’s journey advocating for children with chronic Lyme disease

    Cheryl Lazarus
  • The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

    Lien Morcate
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The tragic story of Mr. G: a painful journey towards understanding suicide

      William Lynes, MD | Physician
    • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

      Alice S. Y. Lee, MD | Conditions
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The alarming epidemic of physician burnout and how we can combat it

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Physician
    • A retired physician’s battle with moral injury

      Hayward Zwerling, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the secrets to effective resuscitation and overcoming obstacles

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • Georgia’s new law promoting truth and transparency in health care credentials

      Carmen Kavali, MD | Policy
    • Physician employment contracts: the key to fighting burnout and improving working conditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • A tense family drama unfolds as a young daughter pursues unconventional career path

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 3 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • FDA Panel Endorses mAb to Prevent RSV in Infants
  • Novel LAA Closure Device 'Promising'
  • Acute GvHD Risk After Allo-HCT Higher With Some Antibiotics vs Others
  • TTFields Therapy Yields OS Improvement in Second-Line NSCLC
  • Mental Health Provider Disclosed Personal Patient Info in Google Reviews

Meeting Coverage

  • Novel LAA Closure Device 'Promising'
  • TTFields Therapy Yields OS Improvement in Second-Line NSCLC
  • Upper Airway Stimulation Device for OSA Holds Up in Real-World Analysis
  • Morning Naps in Elderly People May Reflect Dementia Risk
  • Extra Follow-Up Confirms Benefit of Nivolumab in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The tragic story of Mr. G: a painful journey towards understanding suicide

      William Lynes, MD | Physician
    • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

      Alice S. Y. Lee, MD | Conditions
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The alarming epidemic of physician burnout and how we can combat it

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Physician
    • A retired physician’s battle with moral injury

      Hayward Zwerling, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the secrets to effective resuscitation and overcoming obstacles

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • Georgia’s new law promoting truth and transparency in health care credentials

      Carmen Kavali, MD | Policy
    • Physician employment contracts: the key to fighting burnout and improving working conditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • A tense family drama unfolds as a young daughter pursues unconventional career path

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

What’s the real reason women remove their pubic hair?
3 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...