More women are grooming their pubic hair, and by doing so, experts say they could be increasing their risk of injury and potentially sexually transmitted infections.
Tidying the nether regions has become more commonplace, especially among younger white, and better educated women, a new study suggests.
But, the increasingly prevalent practice does not come without its pitfalls.
Experts in the field warn women could be at greater risk of shaving injury or STDs.
More women in the US are grooming their pubic hair, a new study has shown. The findings reveal the practice is more common among white women and those who have a college education. But experts warn of the dangers, which include injuries – usually from shaving – and potentially sexually transmitted infections
Dr Benjamin Breyer, an associate professor at the department of urology at UC San Francisco, said: ‘This novel data source reflects just how prevalent is the practice of personal grooming.
‘We believe grooming practices are also associated with personal injury and potentially sexually transmitted infection.
‘We’re analyzing these associations in the hope of finding risk factors that can be modified, such as instrument use.’
A total of 3,316 women aged between 18 and 65 participated in the study.
Researchers discovered nearly 84 per cent reported they had groomed.
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In addition, the study, also focused on assessing the role of a woman’s partner in her decision to groom down below.
Researchers – the first to examine the influence – found women were far more likely to groom if their partner was in favor of grooming.
And, furthermore, the findings suggest women groom for social events, including sex and vacations, but also when visiting a healthcare professional.
Dr Breyer said: ‘Our study is important for healthcare professionals because grooming behaviors reflect cultural norms and it shows that women have diverse motivations that are not universal.’
His previous research has shown that waxing, shaving or clipping pubic hair can raise the risk of genitourinary injuries, the most common being lacerations, with some resulting in emergency department visits.
Lead author, Dr Tami Rowen, from the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF, said: ‘The prevalence of pubic hair grooming in women is substantial in the 21st century.
‘What is most apparent from the study is that women are grooming based on numerous external pressures that have likely increased over the last decade.’
The team of researchers identified striking demographic differences in their findings, which was conducted in January 2013.
Younger women were more inclined to groom, especially compared to women above the age of 55.
Furthermore, women with some college education, or a bachelor’s degree were more likely to groom.
The findings suggest women groom for social events, including sex and vacations, but also when visiting a healthcare professional. Furthermore, if their partner is keen on grooming, a woman is more likely to do so
Race was also linked to grooming – compared to white women, all other racial groups reported less grooming.
Meanwhile, the researchers found no link between grooming and income or where a woman lives.
Women who were widowed, separated or single were less likely to groom, but there was no difference in the percentage of married women who reported they took part in the practice.
Other key findings include:
- Nearly 52 per cent of female groomers were married compared to 21 per cent who had never married and 8.5 per cent who were living with a partner
- Some 35 per cent of groomers live in the south compared to 24.5 per cent in the midwest, 21 per cent in the west and nearly 19 per cent in the northeast of the US
- Nonelectric razors were the choice for 61 per cent of groomers, while scissors were used by 17.5 per cent and electric razors were used by 12 per cent. Just 0.7 per cent of groomers used laser hair methods and 0.1 per cent used electrolysis
- Women reported that grooming made them feel ‘hygienic or cleaner’ (59 per cent); was part of their routine (45.5 per cent); made their ‘vagina look nicer’ (31.5 per cent); or made oral sex easier (19.6 per cent)
- Nearly 93 per cent of women reported doing the grooming themselves, and 62 per cent said they had removed all pubic hair at least once
The study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, is published in JAMA Dermatology.