The Truth About Pubic Hair: To Shave or Not to Shave?

What unites all of humanity? You guessed it—pubic hair. Everyone has experienced the “charms” of a hairy cover, regardless of whether they choose to shave it or not. This area has many names and stories associated with it. The appearance of the “kitty” is still a topic of heated debate, so let’s explore the issue from a scientific perspective, from the purpose of pubic hair to its removal.

The Purpose of Pubic Hair

Pubic hair may contain pheromones or chemicals produced by your body. Their mission is simple—to send subconscious messages to other human “animals,” including potential partners.

One theory suggests that the aromas emitted by your pubic area act as a sexual lure for that guy passing by. After all, we are all animals, no matter how much we try to deny it.

Many scientists believe that apocrine sweat glands, abundant in the pubic region where hair follicles are plentiful, do not function until puberty. This idea aligns well with another theory about pubic hair: that they signal potential mates that a girl has matured, gone through puberty, and is now capable of reproduction. In the most primitive sense, pubic pheromones are a sign of maturity.

However, there is a completely different point of view. Some scientists, who might have something off with their pheromones, believe that pheromones do not exist at all.

This uncertainty, however, does not affect a third theory, which suggests that pubic hair acts as guardians of cleanliness and purity. Not in the sense that a passionate young man cannot navigate through the bushy thicket—70s pornography has proven otherwise—but in the sense that hair protects the vagina from dirt and infections. Some have even given them the honorable title of “pillows against friction during sex or other physical exercises.” It sounds exotic, but it is quite plausible.

On the other hand, let’s not forget about thermoregulation, which almost all body hair cares about. They fight for your warmth, and you remove them!

To Shave or Not to Shave

Let’s make it clear: we are not trying to introduce a fashion for extravagant growths from the pages of Playboy circa 1971. There is simply a theory based on scientific research that suggests removing the “bush” leads to unpleasant consequences. From 2002 to 2010, there were about 11,700 “grooming injuries” in the genital area. Truly dangerous and bloody hygiene.

Still, many understand the risks but do not change their habits. According to a 2015 survey by an American national medical journal, 95% of people shave their pubic hair at least once every four weeks.

For many, a smoothly shaved pubic area is a synonym for cleanliness and increased attention to the body and health. But the presence of pubic hair does not automatically equate to the unflattering term “dirty” vagina! As many gynecologists say, if you wash your pubic area with soap and warm water every day, there will be no difference. Just do not insert soap inside the vagina, as this can lead to serious irritation of the vaginal microflora, which is very delicate.

It is normal if you feel cleaner by shaving your pubic area, but do not feel “dirty” just because you live a few days without shaving.

Men have a different attitude towards women’s hairiness. According to the same medical journal, the majority (60%) of those surveyed expressed a preference for smooth intimate areas. A significant number. Many even literally force their girlfriends to shave. Of course, there are lovers of “lush exotic” or those who want to understand who they are having sex with—a woman or a girl. As Hank Moody used to say: “When I’m down there, I want to see curls on the pubis. I’m not talking about the lush bushes from Playboy of the 70s, but about something that will show me that I’m performing cunnilingus on an adult woman.” But no one has the right to force their partner to shave intimate thickets just because they like it better. “Could you clear a path to your clitoris, I can’t see it,” sounds just as disgusting as: “Yuck, you have hair there!” It’s some kind of nonsense.

And there is only one good reason for shaving, depilation, and the like. If removing hair makes you feel much sexier, then shave away. Do what you think is necessary; if it makes you more comfortable, then remove it. Only the feeling of aesthetic cleanliness can justify all the pain and unpleasantness of the process. As we see, there is no ironclad “for” or monumental “against”—it’s a matter of taste and patience.

For further reading, you can visit WebMD, a trusted source for medical information.