Do Pubs Have a Purpose? (This one we never Covered before) to Shave or Not

Pubic Hair: In Spanish, we call them pendejo. A Pendejo is a person who stands in the middle of the action and does nothing.

 

Does it actually have a purpose?

Yes, pubic hair does have a purpose. Above all else, it lessens friction during sex and prevents the transmission of bacteria and other pathogens.

There are probably other reasons why we have pubic hair, too.

Everyone has pubic hair, but we all make different decisions as to what we do with it.

Some people prefer to let it grow, while others trim it, shave it, or wax it. What you do with yours is up to you.

Read on to learn more about why it grows, how it affects hygiene, the risks associated with removal, and more.

What does it do?

When it comes to pubic hair, humans are an anomaly among mammals.

However, that doesn’t mean pubic hair has no purpose at all. We’ve evolved this way for a reason.

Reducing friction

The skin on your genital region is delicate. Pubic hair acts like a protective buffer, reducing friction during sex and other activities.

Some sources even refer to pubic hair as a “dry lubricant.” That’s because it’s easier to rub hair against hair than it is to rub skin against skin.

Pubic hair may also keep the genitals warm, which is an important factor in sexual arousal.

Protection from bacteria and other pathogens

Pubic hair serves a similar function to eyelashes or nose hair. That is, it traps dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms.

In addition, hair follicles produce sebum, an oil that actually prevents bacteria from reproducing.

It follows that pubic hair may protect against certain infections, including:

cellulitis

sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

urinary tract infections (UTIs)

vaginitis

yeast infections

Are there any other benefits?

We don’t fully understand all of the reasons why we have hair down there. Some additional theories are described below.

Signals reproductive ability

Pubic hair appears at puberty. It’s an obvious physical sign of sexual maturity — and consequently, one’s ability to reproduce.

In the past, it may have served as a visual cue for prospective mates.

Pheromone transmission

Another theory links pubic hair to the transmission of pheromones or scent-carrying chemical secretions that affect mood and behavior. We still don’t know exactly how pheromones influence sexuality.

Pheromones are secreted from apocrine sweat glands. Compared to other areas of the body, the pubic region has a lot of these glands.

Therefore, as the theory goes, pubic hair may trap pheromones, increasing how attractive we appear to potential sex partners.

Is there such a thing as having ‘too much’ hair growth?

Pubic hair growth — including location and thickness — varies from one person to the next. Some people have more pubic hair, and others have less.

With that said, extreme variations in hair growth sometimes signal an underlying hormonal condition.

For instance, among adults assigned to females at birth, excessive pubic hair can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

This condition is associated with higher-than-usual levels of testosterone, the sex hormone that controls hair growth.

Other symptoms include irregular periods and hair growth elsewhere on the body, including the face.

On the other hand, among people assigned male at birth, a lack of hair in the pubic region can be a sign of low testosterone production.

Other symptoms of low T include a low sex drive and erectile dysfunction.

Talk to a doctor if you’re experiencing irregular hair growth alongside other unusual symptoms. Hormone therapy might be able to help.

Is it unhygienic?

This is one of the most common misconceptions about pubic hair.

In a nationally representative 2013 survey of 7,580 people, 59 percent of women and 61 percent of men who groomed their pubic hair reported doing so for hygienic purposes.

But pubic hair isn’t actually unhygienic.

Like other hair on your body, your pubes trap sweat, oil, and bacteria. So, they might have a slightly stronger odor than other areas of your body.

As long as you wash regularly, this shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

Why do people remove it?

There are a lot of reasons why people get rid of their pubic hair. Some of the most common ones are discussed below.

Social norms

Grooming pubic hair has been common practice for centuries. Today, at least some hair removal is common.

Some theories link this trend to increased accessibility to porn, where hairlessness is the norm.

A lot of people remove their pubic hair to conform to this aesthetic standard.

For instance, in the 2013 survey cited above, 31.5 percent of women who reported grooming their pubic hair did so because they believed it would make their genitals more attractive.

In the same survey, men were less likely than women to report grooming for this reason.

Partner expectations

For others, partner preferences drive their grooming habits.

In the 2013 survey, around 21.1 percent of women reported that their pubic grooming was related to partner preference. The same survey showed that a similar percentage of men also groom according to their partner’s desire.

In a 2015 studyTrusted Source, men were more likely than women to report a preference for a pubic hair-free sexual partner.

In contrast, women were more likely to cite that they preferred trimmed or partially shaved or waxed pubic hair.

Personal preference

For some, removing their pubic hair is simply a matter of personal preference. People who prefer to remove their pubic hair often cite comfort, routine, and sexual confidence as motivating factors.

Increased sensation

Some people believe that removing their pubic hair increases genital sensation during sex. Indeed, studiesTrusted Sources suggest that there’s a link between pubic hair removal and self-reported sexual functioning.

However, one doesn’t necessarily cause the other. There are likely other factors involved.

For instance, people who remove their pubic hair are more likelyTrusted Source to be young, so it would make sense that they also report increased sexual functioning.

More research needs to be done to understand the link between pubic hair removal and sexual sensation.

What risks are associated with removal?

There are some risks associated with removing your pubic hair.

Injuries

Pubic grooming injuries are surprisingly common. A 2017 study based on data from the same nationally representative 2013 survey cited above reported that 25.6 percent of groomers sustained injuries during or after hair removal.

In the study, cuts were the most commonly reported injury, with burns and rashes also reported frequently.

In very rare cases, these injuries required medical attention.

Infections

As mentioned above, pubic hair serves a protective function by trapping pathogens that could otherwise enter your body.

Removing pubic hair may therefore make a person more susceptible to common infections, such as UTIs, vaginitis, and yeast infections.

Hair removal can also irritate your skin, leading to skin infections such as cellulitis and folliculitis.

In other cases, grooming-related injuries, such as cuts, could become infected.

Staph boils

In rare cases, hair removal might result in the development of boils in your genital area. Boils can develop from skin irritation and infections, such as cellulitis and folliculitis.

Boils usually start as red bumps just under the surface of the skin. They might be filled with pus. Boils aren’t as deep as abscesses.

Abscesses

As with boils, abscesses tend to develop from irritation caused by certain hair removal methods, such as shaving or waxing.

Abscesses are deep, under-the-skin infections that cause pain, swelling, and redness.

STIs

Limited research suggests that pubic hair grooming is associated with an increased risk of STIs.

In one 2017 study, people who reported grooming their pubic hair were more likely to also report having had an STI at some point in their lifetime, compared to non-groomers. Despite this association, more evidence is needed to determine if grooming directly contributes to this increased risk.

Some STIs that have been associated with pubic hair grooming include:

chlamydia

herpes

HIV

human papillomavirus (HPV)

molluscum contagiosum

syphilis

Is there a way to safely remove the hair?

There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of an injury or infection during and after grooming your pubes.

Try the following:

Wash beforehand. Cleaning your skin before you get to trimming or shaving will help prevent the transmission of bacteria.

Disinfect your razor blade or scissors and change blades often. Make sure all of the tools you need for the job are disinfected. Change razor blades on a regular basis, and avoid using the scissors you use to trim for other things.

Use a handheld mirror. Make sure you can see what you’re doing, and go slowly.

Keep skin moist and lathered. If you’re shaving, your skin should be wet. Use soap suds or shaving gel to keep the area lubricated.

Proceed in the direction of your hair growth. For smoother results and less irritation, trim or shave your hair in the same direction it grows in.

Moisturize after. Moisturizing after your shave or wax can help soothe irritated skin. Use a natural oil or lotion to prevent skin from drying out.

Avoid tight clothes for a few days after. When your underwear is too close to your skin, it can worsen irritation. If you can, opt for loose underwear after a fresh shave.

Exfoliate regularly. Use a gentle loofah or scrub to remove dead skin.

Visiting a professional to have your pubic hair removed isn’t inherently safer than doing it yourself, provided you know what you’re doing.

However, waxing is probably best done by a professional since hot wax can cause burns.

If you go au natural, how should you keep the area clean?

Keeping your bush clean is easy. You should:

Wash with warm, soapy water when you take a shower.

Avoid using scented products to clean your pubic area, as they can lead to a pH imbalance.

Wipe after you use the toilet from front to back.

Use a damp towel or tissue to clean your pubic area between baths or showers.

Always dry your pubic hair after cleaning.

The bottom line

There’s a reason you have pubic hair. What you do with your hair — whether you trim, shave, wax, or let it grow — is up to you.

 

We’re here to buzz through the fuzz and reveal the science.

1. A majority of the U.S. does a lot of secret garden grooming

A recent study that surveyed a diverse group of women found that more than 80 percent of gals groom their pubes regularly. About 5 percent of ladies groom daily, but a monthly regimen is more common. About 75 percent of women stick to removing hair from the front and the bikini line. More than 60 percent of babes have gone completely bare.

Men are grooming too, with about 50 percent reporting regular manscaping, according to a recent study. Of those who groom, nearly 90 percent take away hair that’s front and center, and more than half remove hair from the scrotum and shaft as well. And, FYI, it’s totally normal to have hair on your penis.

2. But we all need to be more prudent about self-primping — we’re getting injured

In the quest to be hairless down there, we’re cutting and burning ourselves more often. More than 25 percent trusted Source of those who groom sustain an injury, found a 2017 study, and women get hurt a little more often than men.

When making your delicate parts look dapper, proceed with caution. We all put ourselves at an increased risk for injuries and repeat mishaps if we frequently strip the whole pelt. Good news for gals: For women, waxing can decrease the odds for high-frequency injury.

3. For the older fellas, be extra cautious around the scrotum

A nick in your genitals could lead to a life-threatening, tissue-destroying infection called Fournier’s gangrene. It only affects 1 in 7,500 people, but is more common in older men and can destroy the scrotum. (Though rare, women can also contract the infection in the external vaginal folds as a result of some surgical procedures.)

GROOMING SAFETY

Certain conditions, like diabetes, lupus, Crohn’s disease, leukemia, or HIV, could increase your risk for Fournier’s gangrene. If you have any of these conditions or a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor about the safest methods for pubic hair grooming. If you do nick the scrotum, clean the cut thoroughly with soap and water, and follow with alcohol. Seek medical attention for sudden pain or a rapid change in skin color at the site, or a high fever.

4. The menstrual cycle may determine how painful waxing can feel

First, let’s get one thing clear: You can get waxed during that time of the month. But you may want to wait until after your period. Research shows that during Aunt Flow’s visit, and in the days leading up to it, hormonal fluctuations can cause an increased perception of pain.

5. 73 percent of guys and 55.6 percent of gals favor hair removal before sex

The idea of getting it on in the bedroom motivates pubic hair groomers of all genders to beautify their bush. A recent survey shows that more than half of women who shave, wax, or trim do so before intercourse. A separate study found that nearly three-quarters of men (age 25 to 34) who tidy their short and curlies do it for the same sexy-time reason.

6. Those who groom are more likely to engage in or receive oral sex

Both dudes and dames like to prep their pubes prior to oral sex; there’s no gender divide there. Studies on both men and women show that oral sex, which has become more popular in recent years, is associated with pubic hair grooming.

ORAL SEX SAFETY

If you’re having oral sex, it’s important to remember that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are still a risk. Use protection like condoms and dental dams.

7. Removing your pubes won’t magically increase your sexual pleasure

How you choose to groom your pubic hair — or if you choose to trim at all — is a matter of personal preference. And your choice won’t have a direct impact on your orgasm or fun in the sack.

Keep in mind that pubes may provide a little barrier from too much bump and grind, if that’s an issue. “During sexual activity, friction occurs from skin-to-skin contact,” explains Katy Burris, a dermatologist at ColumbiaDoctors and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. “Without pubic hair, there may be a higher likelihood for skin abrasion and injury.”

8. Ladies are grooming to please their partners

More than 20 percent of ladies who groom say they do so because their partner wants them to, says a recent survey. And while a recent studyTrusted Source shows that more men (60 percent) than women (24 percent) prefer a hairless sexual partner, there’s no reason to go hair-free, unless you want to.

9. Pube hair pampering may boost self-esteem

There’s something to be said for increased confidence while naked, a factor that could make sex a little hotter. If grooming or nixing pubic hair helps with that, go for it. One study associates total pubic hair removal with a more positive genital self-image in females. And another study shows that groin grooming may lead to a boosted self-image in men. Of course, having hair is totally normal, and what’s not to love about your natural self?

10. We’re less likely to mow the grass as we get older

Maybe we’re more accepting of our bodies and their natural states as we gain the wisdom that comes with age. Both men and women tend to tame their fields less or not at all as they get older, with peak pube patrol occurring from adolescence to mid-30s. Of course, the decline in grooming activity in later years could have something to do with having fewer pubes to pluck.

11. A visit with the doctor inspired 40 percent of women to groom down there

A trip to the stirrups is a motivating factor for women who groom, with studies reporting 40 percent have touch-ups prior. But less than 20 percent of men who groom report a healthcare visit as a reason to neaten up their nether regions.

“I have women apologizing to me all the time about not grooming or shaving before they come in for their gynecological visits,” says Angela Jones, an OB-GYN and Astroglide’s resident sexual health advisor. She says that both grooming or the apology for not doing so are unnecessary: “OB-GYNs don’t care. It’s your choice.”

12. Your pubic hair won’t keep growing forever to endless lengths

Some people are blessed with Rapunzel-like locks or thick man buns adorning their scalps, but pubes don’t grow that long. The fur on our fun bits has a shorter growth cycle, lasting a matter of weeks.

13. Your pube presentation doesn’t actually reflect your level of cleanliness

Nearly 60 percent of ladies who like to groom cite hygiene as a reason. And about 60 percent of men (age 25 to 34) report the same motivation. But the presence of pubes doesn’t hinder hygiene or make you smell bad. Yes, more of your natural scent might cling to your hair, but hello, bae, that might be a good thing. Those pheromones produced by our apocrine glands are part of the science behind attraction.

14. Your pubes aren’t foolproof STI barriers, but they may help

Research is still in the works on this topic, but leaving your carpet in place could be a minor safeguard against STIs. That’s because some removal methods present a risk for breeding bacteria via cuts or by exposing the hair follicle. Don’t ditch condoms and other methods of protection just because you’ve got a righteous rug.

15. We have gorillas to thank for pubic lice

Pubic lice, also known as crabs, come from a time more than 3 million years ago, researchers theorize. Back then, humans sometimes occupied gorillas’ empty nests, possibly after eating the beasts. That gave the nits an opportunity to hitch a ride. Of course, with all our obsessive grooming nowadays, we may also be moving pubic lice toward the way of extinction.

16. Like the hair on your head, your pubic hair may also thin out with age

If you’ve got a lush patch now, many factors could thin it, make it go gray or white, or even cause it to bald. For ladies, menopause is one of them. For men, it’s the natural aging process and dropping testosterone levels. Keep in mind that anything that causes scalp hair loss, like certain medications, conditions, or chemotherapy, could also lead to body hair loss.

17. Repeated waxing might inhibit the growth of you-know-where hair

If you’re the type who wouldn’t dare miss a monthly wax appointment, you may notice that your hair grows in sparser or not at all in some places over time. That’s because repeated trauma to the hair follicle could kill it. RIP!

18. Shaving won’t force your fuzz to grow in fuller

When we shave, we lop hair off at the base, getting rid of its naturally tapered, soft ends. Some people mistake the feel of stubble for added thickness and believe that shaving stimulates hair growth. Science says it doesn’t. What we’re really noticing is the feel of the razor’s blunt cut.

19. Itching is the biggest side effect of a pube spring cleaning

More than 80 percent of groomers experience some form of genital itching, found a 2015 study. That dreaded crotch itch could be a result of stubble or razor burn. To minimize irritation, always shave with a clean razor on clean, wet skin in the direction of hair growth and while using a lubricant. Follow up with a salicylic acid product like PFB Vanish to combat bumps and a moisturizer to condition skin and emerging hairs.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Itching can be a symptom of an STI, but it’s not often the only symptom present. See a doctor if you’re experiencing itching alongside pain during sex or urination, abnormal discharge, bleeding, sores, or rashes.

20. And finally, no, the carpet doesn’t necessarily match the drapes

Even if you don’t dye your mop up top, you might still have pubic hair that’s a different shade. That’s because the amount of melanin in the outer layer of hair determines its color, and we have differing amounts in the hair on various parts of our bodies.

So now you know!

When it comes to pubic hair, the to-groom-or-not-to-groom question is yours to decide. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with leaving things untamed. Your hygiene won’t take a hit and neither will your sexual pleasure.

If a trimmed or bare Bermuda triangle boosts your confidence, you do you. Just be careful with your delicate parts while pruning and don’t rush the landscaping. If you have any concerns about your genitals or the hair adorning them, never hesitate to ask your doc. And, no, you don’t have to trim before your visit.

This article was first published on Healthline