What is pubic hair actually for? And does it matter if you remove it?
Developing pubic hair is tied to sexual maturity – and so are some of the theories about why we’ve retained it.
Pubic hair is a distinctive feature among primates, with humans retaining visible hair around the genitals despite losing much of their body hair. This hair appears during puberty due to androgens like testosterone. Several theories exist regarding its purpose, including scent retention, friction reduction, and potential sexual communication signals. However, none have been conclusively proven.
From a hygiene standpoint, pubic hair does not necessitate removal. Washing the external genital area (vulva) with water or a mild cleanser is sufficient for everyday cleanliness. The vagina does not require internal washing, as this can disrupt its natural bacterial balance.
Research suggests that removing pubic hair may increase the risk of certain infections while reducing the risk of others. For instance, there is some evidence that pubic lice infections may have decreased as more people remove pubic hair. However, the overall picture remains unclear, with conflicting findings in various studies.
The decision to remove pubic hair is largely a personal choice. While minor injuries from waxing, shaving, or trimming can occur, there's no medical reason to remove the hair if one chooses not to. Ultimately, whether to keep, trim, or remove pubic hair is a matter of personal preference.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
