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Prevalence of Pubic Hair Grooming–Related Injuries and Identification of High-Risk Individuals in the United States
Abstract
Importance
Pubic hair grooming is a common practice that can lead to injury and morbidity.
Objective
To identify demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with pubic hair grooming–related injuries to characterize individuals with high risk of injury and develop recommendations for safe grooming practices.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This cross-sectional study conducted a national survey of noninstitutionalized US adults (aged 18-65 years). The web-based survey was conducted through a probability-based web panel designed to be representative of the US population. Data were collected in January 2014 and analyzed from August 1, 2016, through February 1, 2017.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Grooming-related injury history (yes or no), high-frequency injuries (>5 lifetime injuries), and injury requiring medical attention.
Results
Among the 7570 participants who completed the survey (4198 men [55.5%] and 3372 women [44.5%]; mean (SD) age, 41.9 [18.9] years), 5674 of 7456 (76.1%) reported a history of grooming (66.5% of men and 85.3% of women [weighted percentages]). Grooming-related injury was reported by 1430 groomers (weighted prevalence, 25.6%), with more women sustaining an injury than men (868 [27.1%] vs 562 [23.7%]; P = .01). Laceration was the most common injury sustained (818 [61.2%]), followed by burn (307 [23.0%]) and rashes (163 [12.2%]). Common areas for grooming-related injury for men were the scrotum (378 [67.2%]), penis (196 [34.8%]), and pubis (162 [28.9%]); for women, the pubis (445 [51.3%]), inner thigh (340 [44.9%]), vagina (369 [42.5%]), and perineum (115 [13.2%]). After adjustment for age, duration of grooming, hairiness, instrument used, and grooming frequency, men who removed all their pubic hair 11 times or more during their lifespan had an increased risk for grooming injury (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.97; 95% CI, 1.28-3.01; P = .002) and were prone to repeated high-frequency injuries (AOR, 3.89; 95% CI, 2.01-7.52; P < .001) compared with groomers who did not remove all their pubic hair. Women who removed all their pubic hair 11 times or more had increased odds of injury (AOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.53-3.19; P < .001) and high-frequency injuries (AOR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.78-5.01; P < .001) compared with groomers who do not remove all their pubic hair. In women, waxing decreased the odds of high-frequency injuries (AOR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.43; P = .001) compared with nonelectric blades. In total, 79 injuries among 5674 groomers (1.4%) required medical attention.
Conclusions and Relevance
Grooming frequency and degree of grooming (ie, removing all pubic hair) are independent risk factors for injury. The present data may help identify injury-prone groomers and lead to safer grooming practices.
... Los métodos comunes para eliminar el vello púbico consistieron en una máquina de afeitar no eléctrica (rastrillo) en el 47.5%, seguida de una máquina de afeitar eléctrica en el 26.9%, tijeras 18.4%, cera 2.6% y electrólisis y/o reducción con láser 0.6%. 4,6,7 Tipos de lesiones, ubicación y gravedad Se informó lesión en un 25.6% de todos los encuestados, y más mujeres informaron antecedentes de lesiones que los hombres (27.1% vs 23.7%). El 66.5% de los encuestados lesionados informó haber tenido recurrencia de lesiones más de una vez, y el 32.2% reportó 5 o más lesiones relacionadas con el aseo durante su vida. ...
... En la mayoría de las mujeres, el sitio comúnmente lesionado fue el pubis (51.3%), seguido del muslo interno (44.9%), los labios mayores (42.5%), perineo (13.2%) y ano (5.5%). 3,7 Factores de riesgo asociados con lesiones relacionadas con el aseo En los hombres que informaron lesión relacionada con el aseo, la edad promedio ociló entre 30.8 y 41.2 años. Las mujeres que informaron sobre lesión relacionado al aseo tuvieron como edad media entre 25.2 y 42 años. ...
... Asimismo, hacer que otra persona realice la depilación elimina el tacto sensación, que puede predisponer a lesiones. 4,7,8 Revisión básica medicus | 1132 | 2022;03(16) ...
Pubic hair removal is a common practice today
among women and men. More common among
young women, sexually active women routinely
remove their genital hair more frequently than
non-active women. The frequency of genital hair
removal is variable; between 15 and 35% do it
only for special occasions (wearing a bathing
suit, doctor’s appointments or in preparation for
sexual activity); between 25 and 45% remove it
at least once a week and between 20 and 47%
at least once a month. The primary reasons why
women report removing their pubic hair are normative, for sensuality, and cleanness.
... 6,8,12 Pubic hair removal is associated with high rates of side effects, such as lacerations, itching, folliculitis, rashes and burns. 7,11,[13][14][15][16] A cross-sectional web-based national survey in the US found that over a quarter of the women who had ever groomed reported sustaining injuries such as lacerations, burns and rashes. 14 Between 2002 and 2010, the number of genitourinary injuries related to grooming practices had increased fivefold in an emergency department setting in the US. 15 Ever having groomed has been positively associated with a history of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after adjusting for age and number of lifetime sexual partners. ...
... 7,11,[13][14][15][16] A cross-sectional web-based national survey in the US found that over a quarter of the women who had ever groomed reported sustaining injuries such as lacerations, burns and rashes. 14 Between 2002 and 2010, the number of genitourinary injuries related to grooming practices had increased fivefold in an emergency department setting in the US. 15 Ever having groomed has been positively associated with a history of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after adjusting for age and number of lifetime sexual partners. 12 However, a study among female university students in the US found no association of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) or Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection with grooming. ...
... Although typical side effects reported are similar to previously published studies, the prevalence of side effects ever experienced by women in our study was much higher. [13][14][15][16] Some of these side effects could be considered minor and may be transient. Yet, they may result in epidermal microtears, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections during skin-to-skin contact. ...
Pubic hair grooming is common in many countries, but little is known about this practice in Africa. Grooming has been positively associated with self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and safety of pubic hair grooming in two South African settings. In KwaZulu-Natal province, 1218 women participating in the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes Trial completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on pubic hair grooming practices, and were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Pubic hair removal was reported by 705 (58.2%) of women. Common areas for grooming were the pubis (n = 616, 99.4%), vagina/perineum (n = 529, 85.3%) and inner thigh (n = 255, 41.1%). Half (n= 361, 51.4%) removed some or all of their pubic hair at least monthly and 59 (8.4%) once a week or more often. Common side effects reported included itching (n = 439, 77.1%) and pimples and blisters (n = 249, 43.9%). A quarter (n = 173, 24.5%) of groomers had a positive result for either or both of CT and NG compared to a fifth (n = 98, 19.4%) of non-groomers (p-value < 0.033). There was no difference between the groups for HSV-2. After adjusting for age and having more than one sex partner, groomers were significantly more likely to have CT or NG than non-groomers (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.19–1.45). Similarly, those who experienced hair removal-related complications had 1.26 times the odds of testing positive for CT or NG (95% CI: 1.03–1.54). The practice of pubic hair removal is common and reporting of side effects is high in this population. These injuries could put women at a higher risk of STIs.
... 22 It, therefore, comes as no surprise that some girls may start removing pubic hair as early as 13 years. 23 Interestingly, pubic hair maintenance is often unpleasant, as it causes skin irritation, ingrown hair, folliculitis, and rashes 22,23 ; thus, pursuing it suggests there is a strong social drive behind the practice. ...
... 22 It, therefore, comes as no surprise that some girls may start removing pubic hair as early as 13 years. 23 Interestingly, pubic hair maintenance is often unpleasant, as it causes skin irritation, ingrown hair, folliculitis, and rashes 22,23 ; thus, pursuing it suggests there is a strong social drive behind the practice. ...
Genital dissatisfaction in healthy young women is on the rise. Pubic hair removal reveals genital tissue previously hidden, while social trends promote the absence of any protruding genital tissue as the feminine ideal. Information with regard to the natural diversity of external genitalia anatomy, and lifestyle changes to improve physical symptoms related to labial tissue may suffice to reassure a distressed adolescent. Female genital cosmetic surgery is rarely supported, before attaining genital maturity. However, genital dissatisfaction may lead to significant embarrassment and anxiety, requiring formal psychological counselling. Sexual education needs to counterbalance perceived normal anatomy, portrayed in pornography or female genital cosmetic surgery advertisements.
... Table 5 summarizes three studies conducted on grooming practices in the United States. Two were conducted using female panelists (70,71), and one was conducted among women and men (72). All three studies determined that the most popular methods of pubic hair removal among women is a non-electric razor (∼60-90% of groomers). ...
... All three studies determined that the most popular methods of pubic hair removal among women is a non-electric razor (∼60-90% of groomers). In the study that included men as subjects it was determined that both non-electric and electric razors were commonly used for pubic hair removal (30.1 and 35.9%, respectively) (72). ...
When evaluating sensitive skin, it is common to focus on the face. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that individuals can have different perceptions about the degree of skin sensitivity at distinct anatomic sites. Structural variations in the skin of different body sites can contribute to differences in barrier function, which may contribute to differences in skin sensitivity. Potential triggering factors for skin sensitivity would be expected to vary by body site. For example, the face is exposed to all ambient environmental conditions in the course of daily life, and to several products (e.g., cosmetics for women) and practices (e.g., shaving for men) that may lead to adverse sensations associated with sensitive skin. In contrast, the skin of the genital area is protected from ambient environmental conditions. However, the genital area can be exposed to conditions of higher temperature, different habits and practices and moisture due to the semi-occlusive environment. For some individuals, additional challenges such as incontinence can provide triggering factors for skin sensitivity that effect only the genital area. This article reviews data on the perception of sensitive skin of the genital area, differences based on gender, age, racial differences, and the effects of incontinence on skin sensitivity. The effects of menopause are also considered with regards to sensitive skin perceptions and to emerging differences in biomolecular and physical measures of the urogenital skin.
... On the other hand, pubic hair removal is an important cause of morbidity in those who practice it, the majority being mild, such as burns, irritation, or folliculitis. 3 The relationship between genital hair removal and dysplasia is poorly studied. Schild-Suhren et al. 4 tried to ascertain the relationship between razor pubic hair depilation and the development of vulvar dysplasia and cancer. ...
... Pubic hair grooming could lead to increased STI risk via the sharing of grooming tools with an infected individual; however, fomite transmission of GC or CT has never been documented [7]. Grooming-especially frequent grooming and removal of all pubic hair-can cause injury [10]. The process of stripping away pubic hair could cause microtrauma in the skin's mucocutaneous barrier, thereby facilitating pathogen entry and transmission [11]. ...
Recent findings have suggested an association between pubic hair grooming and self-reported history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), specifically gonococcal infection (GC), chlamydial infection (CT), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We evaluated the association between self-reported extreme grooming and laboratory-confirmed prevalence of GC/CT. Between April 2017 and April 2018, we enrolled English-speaking, adult, female students at a large, Midwestern university who presented on-campus for STI testing. Participants completed a questionnaire on demographics and sexual and grooming behaviors, which was linked to their GC/CT test results based on nucleic acid amplification testing. We defined extreme grooming as removal of all pubic hair either at least weekly in the past 12 months or ≥6 times in the past 30 days. We used two separate logistic regression models to determine whether odds of GC/CT varied by extreme groomer status for either time interval. In the study sample of 214 women, prevalence of GC/CT was 9.8%. Nearly all participants (98.1%) reported ever grooming; 53.6% were extreme groomers in the past year and 18% in the past month. Extreme grooming was not associated with prevalent GC/CT in the past year (odds ratio [OR] = 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3-1.9; adjusted OR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.3-2.0) or in the past month (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.1-2.0; aOR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1-1.9). Pubic hair grooming was common among female university students attending for STI testing. Findings do not support pubic hair grooming as an STI risk factor in this population.
Background:
Female pubic hair grooming (PHG) habits have changed in the last 20 years. Most studies present findings around female PHG attitudes, practices, and behaviours, lacking data on male attitudes and practices.
Aims:
We explored the attitudes and practices of PHG from male and female perspectives.
Materials and methods:
A cross-sectional convenience survey was conducted online with 1560 male and female young adult participants aged 18 to 25 years. The study was conducted over two time periods (2014 and 2021). The survey explored attitudes, practices, and behaviours around PHG. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and proportions for categorical variables and the median for continuous variables. Males and females were compared using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. We used logistic regression to explore independent factors of PHG.
Results:
Seventy-two percent (n = 471/728) of females and 64.7% (n = 257/728) of males were likely to engage in PHG. Participants were more likely to groom their pubic hair for reasons associated with religion (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 9.01, 95% CI: 2.87-28.2), comfort when wearing clothing (aOR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.52-9.71), a neater and cleaner genital appearance (aOR: 3.90, 95% CI: 1.62-9.41) and before attending a healthcare consultation (aOR: 4.79, 95% CI: 2.27-10.09). Moreover, twice as many females compared with male groomers reported watching pornography (69.7% vs 30.3%).
Conclusion:
Several factors can influence PHG. Our findings demonstrate that the reasons participants engage in PHG practices are for hygiene, aesthetics, comfort, and sexual satisfaction.
Requests for cosmetic procedures involving the vulva are increasingly common. There are short and long‐term complications which may be encountered in women consulting with vulval symptoms.
This exploratory study investigated pubic hair removal behavior among 295 college men and women. Survey questions explored the extent to which young people remove their pubic hair, by what means, how often, and reasons for such behavior. Pubic hair removal by friends and sexual partners, as well as expectations of sexual partners was also explored. Commonalities and differences in responses between college men and women were examined. Results revealed that pubic hair removal is extremely common in both men and women and typically begins in early adolescence. Reasons for pubic hair removal most frequently cited include cleanliness, comfort and appearance. Implications for sexuality education and future research are discussed.
Introducción:
La remoción del vello genital es muy común, siendo cada vez más popular la remoción total en mujeres en edad fértil. Los principales motivos para eliminar el vello púbico son la higiene, el atractivo físico y la feminidad; sin embargo, no es una práctica exenta de complicaciones. Actualmente, existe poca información sobre esta conducta en embarazadas.
Objetivo:
Describir la frecuencia y las características de la remoción del vello genital en gestantes de bajo riesgo obstétrico en una institución de primer nivel de Colombia.
Material y métodos:
Estudio prolectivo de cohorte que siguió durante todo el embarazo a 60 gestantes de bajo riesgo obstétrico en una institución de primer nivel. Se entregó una encuesta autoaplicable trimestral sobre la práctica de remoción del vello genital. Se compararon los resultados en diferentes trimestres del embarazo.
Resultados:
La mediana de la edad de las gestantes fue 22 años; 61% estaban en su primera gestación. Más del 95% reportó una conducta de remoción total al menos una vez en el mes previo a cada encuesta; la conducta puede calificarse como remoción permanente en más del 65% de los casos. El método empleado con más frecuencia (94%) fue la remoción con cuchilla de afeitar. No se encontraron cambios en esta práctica a lo largo del embarazo.
Conclusión:
A pesar de las complicaciones conocidas asociadas a esta conducta muchas mujeres rasuran su vello genital debido a diversas razones socioculturales. Este estudio encontró una alta prevalencia de la práctica de remoción de vello genital en gestantes, sin que se evidenciara que dicha conducta cambiase a lo largo del embarazo.
Case 1:
A 28-year-old woman with previously excellent health presented with pain, swelling, and stiffness on the face and hands, which had persisted for over 18 months. She had initially experienced intermittent pain in both knees. Skin hardening spread to both hands until the fingers could no longer be straightened. There were intermittent pain and skin hardening on the cheeks extending to the neck. These were accompanied by breathing difficulty, especially during high-intensity activity.
Pubic hair grooming is a growing phenomenon and is associated with body image and sexual activity. A nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 to 65 years residing in the United States was conducted. Differences in demographic and sexual characteristics between groomers and nongroomers were explored. Four thousand one hundred and ninety-eight men completed the survey. Of these men, 2,120 (50.5%) reported regular pubic hair grooming. The prevalence of grooming decreases with age, odds ratio = 0.95 (95% confidence interval [0.94, 0.96]), p < .001. Adjusting for sexual frequency and sexual orientation, grooming is associated with performing and receiving oral sex. The majority of men report grooming in preparation for sexual activity with a peak prevalence of 73% among men aged 25 to 34 years, followed by hygiene (61%) and routine care (44%). The majority of men who remove their pubic hair groom the hair above the penis (87%), followed by the scrotum (66%) and the penile shaft (57%). Overall, pubic hair grooming is common among men aged 18 to 65 years in the United States. Younger ages are associated with greater rates of pubic hair grooming. Many men groom for sex, in particular oral sex, as well as for routine care and hygiene.
Aim:
Pubic hair grooming is a common practice in the United States and coincides with prevalence of grooming-related injuries. Men who have sex with men (MSM) groom more frequently than men who have sex with women (MSW). We aim to characterize the influence of sexual orientation and sexual role on grooming behavior, injuries, and infections in men in the United States.
Methods:
We conducted a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18-65 residing in the United States. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of injuries and infections that occur as a result of personal grooming.
Results:
Of the 4,062 men who completed the survey, 3,176 (78.2%) report having sex with only women (MSW), 198 (4.9%) report sex with men (MSM), and 688 (16.9%) report not being sexually active. MSM are more likely to groom (42.5% vs. 29.0%, P < 0.001) and groom more around the anus, scrotum, and penile shaft compared with MSW. MSM receptive partners groom more often (50.9% vs. 26.9%, P = 0.005) and groom more for sex (85.3% vs. 51.9%, P < 0.001) compared with MSM insertive partners. MSM report more injuries to the anus (7.0% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.001), more grooming-related infections (7.0% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.001) and abscesses (8.8% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.010), as well as lifetime sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (1.65 vs. 1.45, P = 0.038) compared with MSW. More receptive partners report grooming at the time of their STI infection (52.2% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.001) compared with insertive partners.
Conclusions:
Sexual orientation, and in particular sexual role, may influence male grooming behavior and impact grooming-related injuries and infections. Anogenital grooming may put one at risk for an STI. Healthcare providers should be aware of different grooming practices in order to better educate safe depilatory practices (i.e., the use of electric razors for anogenital grooming) in patients of all sexual orientations.
We investigated the prevalence and correlates of complications related to pubic hair removal among a diverse clinical sample of women attending a public clinic.
Women (aged 16 to 40 years) who received care from April to June 2012 at two publicly funded clinics completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire (n=369). After excluding women with missing data, analyses were conducted on 333 women. Additional measures were retrieved through a medical chart review. Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze participant characteristics, pubic hair removal behaviors, and complications related to pubic hair removal.
Most women (87%) admitted to current removal of at least some pubic hair, while the remainder responded that they had removed pubic hair in the past. Under or normal weight women were more likely to report total pubic hair removal than overweight or obese women. The majority (60%) had experienced at least one health complication due to removal, of which the most common were epidermal abrasion and ingrown hairs. Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to report complications. Overweight or obese women were almost twice as likely to report a complication and almost 3 times as likely if they were also total removers. Only 4% had seen a healthcare provider for a complication related to hair removal and only 4% discussed safe removal practices with their doctor.
Minor complications commonly occur as a result of pubic hair removal. Gynecological visits could provide a safe environment for women to discuss pubic hair removal practices.
In the past few years, the Brazilian bikini wax—a procedure involving the removal of hair from women's genital area—has become the subject of substantial media attention. From HBO's Sex and the City to popular magazines and in several Web sites, the Brazilian wax has been described as the latest craze among Hollywood stars. This article explores the Brazilian wax practice from a feminist perspective. Like the removal of hair from other body parts, the Brazilian wax is being promoted by consumer capitalism—particularly through beauty salons, popular magazines, and Web sites—as a way for women to increase their attractiveness and sexuality. Notably absent from media coverage are critical views of this practice and its potential repercussions, including its contribution to the sexual objectification of girls and women and to the social construction of women as childlike.
Despite a demonstrated relationship between sexual behaviors and health, including clinical risks, little is known about contemporary sexual behavior.
To assess the rates of sexual behavior among adolescents and adults in the United States.
We report the recent (past month, past year) and lifetime prevalence of sexual behaviors in a nationally representative probability sample of 5,865 men and women ages 14 to 94 in the United States (2,936 men, 2,929 women).
Behaviors assessed included solo masturbation, partnered masturbation, giving and receiving oral sex, vaginal intercourse, and anal intercourse.
Masturbation was common throughout the lifespan and more common than partnered sexual activities during adolescence and older age (70+). Although uncommon among 14- to 15-year olds, in the past year 18.3% of 16- to 17-year-old males and 22.4% of 16- to 17-year-old females performed oral sex with an other-sex partner. Also in the past year, more than half of women and men ages 18 to 49 engaged in oral sex. The proportion of adults who reported vaginal sex in the past year was highest among men ages 25-39 and for women ages 20-29, then progressively declined among older age groups. More than 20% of men ages 25-49 and women ages 20-39 reported anal sex in the past year. Same-sex sexual behaviors occurring in the past year were uncommonly reported.
Men and women engage in a diverse range of solo and partnered sexual behaviors throughout the life course. The rates of contemporary sexual behavior provided in this report will be valuable to those who develop, implement, and evaluate programs that seek to improve societal knowledge related to the prevalence of sexual behaviors and to sexual health clinicians whose work to improve sexual health among the population often requires such rates of behavior.
A 20-year-old Australian woman with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes presented with life-threatening Streptococcus pyogenes and Herpes simplex infection of her external genitalia following a routine perineal “Brazilian” bikini wax. Extensive pubic hair removal is
now common among young adults in Australia and elsewhere. However, the infectious risks of these practices, particularly among
immunosuppressed individuals, are often underappreciated.
Objective
STIs are the most common infections among adults. Concurrently, pubic hair grooming is prevalent. Small-scale studies have demonstrated a relationship between pubic hair grooming and STIs. We aim to examine this relationship in a large sample of men and women.
Design
We conducted a probability survey of US residents aged 18–65 years. The survey ascertained self-reported pubic hair grooming practices, sexual behaviours and STI history. We defined extreme grooming as removal of all pubic hair more than 11 times per year and high-frequency grooming as daily/weekly trimming. Cutaneous STIs included herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis and molluscum. Secretory STIs included gonorrhoea, chlamydia and HIV. We analysed lice separately.
Results
Of 7580 respondents who completed the survey, 74% reported grooming their pubic hair, 66% of men and 84% of women. After adjusting for age and lifetime sexual partners, ever having groomed was positively associated with a history of self-reported STIs (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.2), including cutaneous STIs (OR 2.6; CI 1.8 to 3.7), secretory STIs (OR 1.7; CI 1.3 to 2.2) and lice (OR 1.9; CI 1.3 to 2.9). These positive associations were stronger for extreme groomers (OR 4.4; CI 2.9 to 6.8) and high-frequency groomers (OR 3.5; CI 2.3 to 5.4) with cutaneous STIs, and for non-extreme groomers (OR 2.0; CI 1.3 to 3.0) and low-frequency groomers (OR 2.0; CI 1.3 to 3.1) with lice.
Conclusions
Among a representative sample of US residents, pubic hair grooming was positively related to self-reported STI history. Further research is warranted to gain insight into STI risk-reduction strategies.
Importance Pubic hair grooming is an increasingly prevalent trend. Several studies have sought to characterize its prevalence, associated demographics, and motivations.
Objective To characterize current pubic hair grooming practices in the United States.
Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, a nationally representative survey was conducted in January 2013 of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 to 65 years residing in the United States via the GfK Group (formerly Knowledge Networks) panel members. Data analysis was performed from November to December 2015.
Interventions A questionnaire examining pubic hair grooming habits.
Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic characteristics and motivations associated with pubic hair grooming.
Results A total of 3372 women were surveyed. Fifty-six women did not answer the grooming question; consequently, 3316 women were included in the analysis. Of these women, 2778 (83.8%) reported pubic hair grooming and 538 (16.2%) reported never grooming. On multivariate regression, several factors associated with grooming were found. When compared with younger women (aged 18-24 years), women aged 45 through 55 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.49; P = .01) and those older than 55 years (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.00-0.34; P = .003) were significantly less likely to groom. Women with some college (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.65-6.84; P = .001) or a bachelor’s degree (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.17-4.88; P = .02) were more likely to have groomed. Race was also significantly associated with grooming, with all groups reporting less grooming when compared with white women. No association was found between grooming and income, relationship status, or geographic location.
Conclusions and Relevance This study provides a nationally representative assessment of contemporary female pubic hair grooming habits. Demographic differences in grooming were found, which may reflect cultural variations in preference related to pubic hair. Health care professionals and those who provide grooming services can use this information to better counsel patients and understand grooming practices.
Unlabelled:
Background Although much is known about behavioural indicators of pubic hair removal, current research lacks deeper cognitive reasoning and understanding through utilising quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The purpose of this study was to: (1) describe and understand pubic hair removal behaviours using a quantitative survey; and (2) examine the relationship between pubic hair removal, sexual behaviours and genital self-image using in-depth interviews.
Methods:
Data were collected from women aged 18-24 years living in the United States. Overall, 663 participants completed an online survey and 53 completed in-depth interviews. Questions asked related to pubic hair removal and sexual history.
Results:
Participants removed hair for hygiene, comfort and sensation purposes, which was a personal decision influenced by family, friends and the media. Race, pubic hair removal initiation age, genital image and sexual behaviours were significantly related to pubic hair removal.
Conclusions:
Data from this study prove that further education regarding safe pubic hair removal methods is needed, especially for those who initiate pubic hair removal and sexual behaviours concurrently.
Introduction:
Pubic hair grooming and removal are common behaviors among men and women. However, little is known about the reasons for grooming, preferred pubic hairstyle of sexual partners, and symptoms associated with regular grooming.
Aims:
This study aims to assess pubic hair removal/grooming practices, pubic hairstyle preferences, and genital outcomes associated with pubic hair removal among men and women in a college sample.
Methods:
Data were gathered from 1,110 participants (671 women and 439 men) at a large public Midwestern university and a small Southern public university.
Main outcome measures:
Items assessed demographics, pubic hair grooming and removal practices in the past 4 weeks, reasons for pubic hair status, preference for pubic hairstyle of sexual partners, and symptoms associated with removal and grooming.
Results:
Most (95%) participants had removed their pubic hair on at least one occasion in the past 4 weeks with shaving being the most commonly reported hair removal technique by women (82%) and men (49%). Women were significantly more likely to report their typical status as hair-free (50% vs. 19%; χ(2) = 165.528, P < 0.001) and men were significantly more likely to prefer a hair-free sexual partner (60% vs. 24%; χ(2) = 211.712, P < 0.001). Genital itching was experienced on at least one occasion by 80.3% of pubic hair groomers and was the most commonly reported side effect.
Conclusion:
Genital grooming and pubic hair removal are common practices among both men and women of college-age. Women are likely to report stronger associations with feelings of cleanliness, comfort, sex appeal, social norms of their peer group, and affordability as reasons for their chosen pubic hair style. Women also report more experiences with genital side effects of pubic hair removal, an expected result as women are removing pubic hair more frequently and more completely than their male counterparts.
In a national field experiment, the same questionnaires were administered simultaneously by RDD telephone interviewing, by the Internet with a probability sample, and by the Internet with a nonprobability sample of people who volunteered to do surveys for money. The probability samples were more representative of the nation than the nonprobability sample in terms of demographics and electoral participation, even after weighting. The nonprobability sample was biased toward being highly engaged in and knowledgeable about the survey's topic (politics). The telephone data manifested more random measurement error, more survey satisficing, and more social desirability response bias than did the Internet data, and the probability Internet sample manifested more random error and satisficing than did the volunteer Internet sample. Practice at completing surveys increased reporting accuracy among the probability Internet sample, and deciding only to do surveys on topics of personal interest enhanced reporting accuracy in the nonprobability Internet sample. Thus, the nonprobability Internet method yielded the most accurate self-reports from the most biased sample, while the probability Internet sample manifested the optimal combination of sample composition accuracy and self-report accuracy. These results suggest that Internet data collection from a probability sample yields more accurate results than do telephone interviewing and Internet data collection from nonprobability samples.
Objectives
Procedures for controlling the false positive rate when performing many hypothesis tests are commonplace in health and medical studies. Such procedures, most notably the Bonferroni adjustment, suffer from the problem that error rate control cannot be localized to individual tests, and that these procedures do not distinguish between exploratory and/or data-driven testing vs. hypothesis-driven testing. Instead, procedures derived from limiting false discovery rates may be a more appealing method to control error rates in multiple tests.
Study Design and Setting
Controlling the false positive rate can lead to philosophical inconsistencies that can negatively impact the practice of reporting statistically significant findings. We demonstrate that the false discovery rate approach can overcome these inconsistencies and illustrate its benefit through an application to two recent health studies.
Results
The false discovery rate approach is more powerful than methods like the Bonferroni procedure that control false positive rates. Controlling the false discovery rate in a study that arguably consisted of scientifically driven hypotheses found nearly as many significant results as without any adjustment, whereas the Bonferroni procedure found no significant results.
Conclusion
Although still unfamiliar to many health researchers, the use of false discovery rate control in the context of multiple testing can provide a solid basis for drawing conclusions about statistical significance.
The purpose of this paper was to describe pubic hair grooming behaviors (shaving, waxing, trimming or dyeing) and the extent to which grooming was related to demographic characteristics and sexual history among low-income Hispanic, Black, and White women. Data were collected from 1677 women aged 16-40 years between July 2010 and August 2011 as part of a larger study. Participants completed a cross-sectional written survey. Multivariable analyses were used to identify correlates of pubic hair grooming. Being a current groomer was associated with being White, a younger age, under or normal weight, having a yearly household income >$30,000, and having 5 or more lifetime sexual partners. Overall, we discovered pubic hair grooming was extremely common among women of varying demographics. It is important for health and research professionals to understand pubic hair grooming practices so they can address behavioral and clinical concerns.
Introduction:
Pubic hair removal is prevalent among women in the United States. However, most studies related to pubic hair removal are based on cross-sectional surveys and retrospective recall.
Aim:
The purpose of this research was to, in a prospective event-level daily diary study, assess demographic, affective, relational, situational, and behavioral factors related to women's pubic hair removal.
Method:
Data collection occurred as part of a 5-week prospective, Internet-based daily diary study.
Main outcome measures:
Age; Affective predictors (positive mood, negative mood, feeling interested in sex, feeling in love); Relational predictors (partner support, partner negativity, partner type, partner gender); Situational predictors (any vaginal symptoms, use of any vaginal hygiene products; having applied any creams to the genitals); Behavioral variables (penile-vaginal sex, penile-anal sex, had finger inserted into vagina, had clitoris stimulated with fingers, inserted toy into vagina, used vibrator on clitoris, inserted finger into anus, inserted toy into anus, duration of penetration, intensity of penetration).
Results:
A total of 2,453 women ages 18 to 68 (mean age 32.69) completed the study, contributing 49,287 total diaries (mean per person 24.5; standard deviation 10.3, median 30); 15.2% of all days (N = 7,362) involved pubic hair waxing or shaving, with the vast majority of hair removal days involving shaving (N = 7,302; 99%). Pubic hair removal was significantly associated with younger age, a greater interest in sex, vaginal fingering, finger-clitoral stimulation, having a casual sex partner, using vaginal hygiene products, and applying cream to the genitals. Hair removal was marginally associated with longer duration of vaginal penetration.
Conclusions:
These findings provide greater insight into the factors associated with women's pubic hair removal and their sexual experiences on a day-to-day level. Clinical and educational implications are discussed.
The study aimed to explore the motivations behind and predictors of the practice of body hair removal among women. A sample
of 235 Australian female undergraduate students completed questionnaires asking about the frequency and reasons for body hair
removal, as well as measures of media exposure. It was confirmed that the vast majority (approximately 96%) regularly remove
their leg and underarm hair, most frequently by shaving, and attribute this to femininity and attractiveness reasons. A sizeable
proportion (60%) also removed at least some of their pubic hair, with 48% removing most or all of it. Here the attributions
were relatively more to sexual attractiveness and self-enhancement. Further, having a partner and exposure to particular forms
of media predicted pubic hair removal. It was concluded that pubic hair removal is currently different in connotation from
leg or underarm hair, but is likely to be on the increase. It can only further the belief that women’s bodies are unacceptable
the way they are.
To evaluate the incidence, attitudes, and practices of the removal of pubic hair as a body modification.
A voluntary, anonymous survey was conducted among adolescents and young women 12-20 years of age seen in gynecology clinics in Houston, Texas.
There were a total of 171 adolescent participants surveyed, of whom 70.4% of reported routinely shaving or waxing their pubic hair. More traditional body modification methods were evaluated, and 3.5% reported tattoos and 57.1% reported piercings. Sexually active participants were more likely to remove pubic hair routinely. The areas of the body where the participants felt there was "too much" hair included the genital area, upper lip, and abdomen. Of total respondents, 14.7% reported feeling "pressure" from friends or family to participate in body modification such as tattooing, piercing, or removal of pubic hair. The decision to participate in body modification was mostly influenced by friends and family.
Based on this study, removal of pubic hair as a body modification is common. The results of this study demonstrated that removal of pubic hair was more common in sexually active participants compared to non-sexually active participants. Therefore, providers should additionally be aware that removal of pubic hair may be a warning sign of sexual behaviors or impending sexual activity.
Although women's total removal of their pubic hair has been described as a "new norm," little is known about the pubic hair removal patterns of sexually active women in the United States.
The purpose of this study was to assess pubic hair removal behavior among women in the United States and to examine the extent to which pubic hair removal methods are related to demographic, relational, and sexual characteristics, including female sexual function.
A total of 2,451 women ages 18 to 68years completed a cross-sectional Internet-based survey.
Demographic items (e.g., age, education, sexual relationship status, sexual orientation), cunnilingus in the past 4weeks, having looked closely at or examined their genitals in the past 4weeks, extent and method of pubic hair removal over the past 4weeks, the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
Women reported a diverse range of pubic hair-grooming practices. Women's total removal of their pubic hair was associated with younger age, sexual orientation, sexual relationship status, having received cunnilingus in the past 4weeks, and higher scores on the FGSIS and FSFI (with the exception of the orgasm subscale).
Findings suggest that pubic hair styles are diverse and that it is more common than not for women to have at least some pubic hair on their genitals. In addition, total pubic hair removal was associated with younger age, being partnered (rather than single or married), having looked closely at one's own genitals in the previous month, cunnilingus in the past month, and more positive genital self-image and sexual function.
A 20-year-old woman is seeing you for an extremely pruritic vulvar rash which she has had for several days. Her discomfort is almost unbearable. On examination you note significant vulvar erythema edema of the right labia minora and areas of desquamation. A potassium hydroxide preparation of a vaginal swab is negative for yeast forms. On further questioning the cause of her rash becomes apparent. (excerpt)
Although hairlessness is rapidly becoming a component of the ideal male body, little research has examined men's concerns about their body hair or their hair removal practices. Samples of gay and heterosexual men completed questionnaires that assessed whether they had ever removed their back, buttock or pubic hair, the frequency with which they did so, the methods used and their self-reported reasons for removing this hair, as well as their level of appearance investment. Results indicated that many gay and heterosexual men remove their back, buttock and pubic hair regularly and that their primary reason for doing so is to maintain or improve their appearance. The frequency of hair removal was also associated with the motivational salience component of appearance investment. The findings offer further support to the premise that gay and heterosexual men exhibit similar body image concerns.
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