Search

Understanding current pubic hair removal (PHR) practices is vital for public health, given the prevalence among U.S. adults. This study updates the understanding of PHR practices, motivations, and correlates in a nationally representative sample of adult men. In April 2023, through a probability-based internet panel survey (Ipsos KnowledgePanel®), we found that nearly half (46.7%) of respondents reported lifetime PHR, with 29.2% reporting PHR in the past 30 days. Statistically significant differences were observed in sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, sexual activity, and social media use. A higher proportion of Gay and Bisexual men (GBM) reported lifetime PHR (76.5%) compared with heterosexual men (44.6%), with GBM having nearly 3 times greater odds of reporting lifetime PHR (OR = 2.891, 95%CI [1.2, 6.7]). Being sexually active in the past month statistically significantly predicted both lifetime PHR (OR = 1.884, 95%CI [1.2, 2.9]) and past 30-day PHR (OR = 2.849, 95%CI [1.8, 4.6]). Age also emerged as a significant predictor, as men aged 25 to 34 years (OR = 2.275, 95%CI [1.0, 5.0]) and 45 to 54 years (OR = 2.493, 95%CI [1.1, 5.6]) had higher odds of reporting lifetime PHR compared with those aged 18 to 24 years. This study provides valuable insights and updated national data on the prevalence, methods, and frequency of PHR among men in the United States. Given the correlations between PHR practices and factors such as sexual orientation, sexual activity, and age, these findings can equip educators and health care providers with data to foster better health outcomes through acknowledging and addressing the interplay between individual choices and broader social and cultural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the cultural, social, and familial factors affecting Italian women's body image during menstruation. This study aimed to understand the socio-cultural influences on menarche and menstruation and the impact on body image and genital hygiene behaviors among Italian women. Researchers conducted 28 interviews with English-speaking women ages 25–60 living in Florence, Italy, who had experienced menstruation or menopause. Results indicated that participants associated menstruation with shame, where they felt different from their peers due to bodily changes, leading to discomfort and negative emotions. Findings highlight menstruation's impacts on overall health and well-being, including behaviors and feelings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pubic hair grooming involves the partial or complete removal of pubic hair, and it is a common practice among men and women. Grooming is more prevalent in women, who employ various methods such as shaving, waxing and laser removal. However, it is associated with variable rates of post-grooming adverse outcomes including lacerations and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing women’s sexual health outcomes between those who groom and those who don’t. Methods We followed the MOOSE guidelines and conducted a computerized-based search using (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid Medline), till June 20th, 2022, for eligible studies using the relevant keywords; (pubic hair grooming) OR (pubic hair removal OR Genital hairless OR Bikini hair removal OR pubic hair depilation). Cross-sectional studies included which compared grooming practices among women in terms of motivation and health outcomes. Women’s satisfaction and incidence of STIs were pooled as standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) respectively. Results Twenty-Two cross-sectional studies were included in our review with 73,091 participant.The odds of having gram-negative gonorrheal and chlamydial infection in Pubic hair groomers were found to be statistically significant (OR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.31, 1.84], P

Background: Pubic hair grooming involves the partial or complete removal of pubic hair, and it is a common practice among men and women. Grooming is more prevalent in women, who employ various methods such as shaving, waxing and laser removal. However, it is associated with variable rates of post-grooming adverse outcomes including lacerations and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing women's sexual health outcomes between those who groom and those who don't. Methods: We followed the MOOSE guidelines and conducted a computerized-based search using (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid Medline), till June 20th, 2022, for eligible studies using the relevant keywords; (pubic hair grooming) OR (pubic hair removal OR Genital hairless OR Bikini hair removal OR pubic hair depilation). Cross-sectional studies included which compared grooming practices among women in terms of motivation and health outcomes. Women's satisfaction and incidence of STIs were pooled as standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) respectively. Results: Twenty-Two cross-sectional studies were included in our review with 73,091 participant.The odds of having gram-negative gonorrheal and chlamydial infection in Pubic hair groomers were found to be statistically significant (OR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.31, 1.84], P < 0.001) (OR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.32, 1.85], P < 0.001] respectively. There was no difference between groomer and non-groomer women regarding viral infections such as genital herpes (OR = 1.40, 95% CI [0.56, 3.50], P = 0.47) and Condyloma acuminata (OR = 1.75, 95% CI [0.51, 6.01], P = 0.37). The most common grooming side effect is genital itching (prevalence = 26.9%, P < 0.001). Non-electrical razor (prevalence = 69.3%, P < 0.001) is the most common grooming method. White women (prevalence = 80.2%, P < 0.001) remove pubic hair more frequently compared to black women (prevalence = 12.2%, P < 0.001). Women practice complete grooming (50.3%, P < 0.001) of the pubic hair more frequently than partial grooming (33.1%, P < 0.001). There are no differences in women's satisfaction between the two groups (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI [-0.16, 0.40], P = 0.39). Conclusion: This review aligns with previous observational studies regarding sexual health outcomes of pubic hair grooming. There is a need to raise awareness among women regarding the safe practice of pubic hair grooming, emphasizing the clarification of hazards and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background When studying the development of children through the preteen years into adolescence, it is often important to link features of their physical and mental health to the stage of puberty at the time. This is complex since individuals vary substantially in the ages at which they reach different pubertal milestones. Methods The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study based in southwest England that recruited over 14000 women in pregnancy, with expected dates of delivery between April 1991 and December 1992. From 1999, information on puberty was collected using a number of different methods : (a) A series of annual questionnaires were administered when the index children were aged between eight and 17 years; these were mainly concerned with the physical changes associated with puberty; (b) identification of the age at peak height growth using the SITAR methodology; and (c) retrospective information from the girls on their age at onset of menstruation (menarche). Results The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. Conclusions The data are available for analysis by interested researchers.

Although pubic hair has been a subject of public interest, little is known about its structure or characteristics beyond its curly and coarse appearance. In this study, we investigated the surface and internal features of pubic hair from Korean males and compared them to those of scalp hair from the same donors. Our findings indicate that the cuticle layer of pubic hair has a greater number of scales than that of scalp hair, resulting in a thicker cuticle layer overall. Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy analysis showed that the protein in the cortex layer of pubic hair was less affected by exposure to urine or ammonia than the protein in the cortex layer of scalp hair. This suggests that the cuticle layer of pubic hair, which is thicker and composed of more scales, acts as a physical barrier that protects the hair's internal structure. Furthermore, we observed that the secondary and tertiary structures of keratin in the pubic hair cuticle layer are essentially different from those in scalp hair. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that the thickened cuticle layer in pubic hair may have evolved as a defence mechanism against chemical damage from urine, urea and ammonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the clinical effect of hair transplantation with autologous follicle on pubic hair reconstruction in women with loss of pubic hair. Methods A total of 38 patients with pubichair loss treated in Hair Transplantation Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College were recruited. The scalp strips from the safe donor area were taken and hair transplantation of autologous follicles was conducted for reconstruction. For patients with congenital pubic hair loss, according to the characteristics of female pubic hair distribution and the patient's own requirements, the inverted triangle design was used. For perimenopausal women, the shape of residual pubic hair was considered for design of the region of hair transplantation. For patients with scars, besides scar area implantation was paid attention to, it was also important to design the implantation area above the scar area according to the conditions in order to further cover the scar area with the implanted pubic hair. Results Thirty-eight patients were followed-up for 6 to 24 months. The hairs transplanted grew well. The appearance was close to the normal distribution of pubic hair, resulting in a satisfactory effect. Conclusion It is suggested to reconstruct female pubic hair loss with autologous follicles transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Media uses implicit imagery to tell women which genital standards are deemed acceptable by society. Explicit depictions of genitals are usually reserved for pornographic materials, which women often describe as depicting uniform vulva appearance. It is possible that viewing invariable images of vulvas could have a negative impact on women's self-perceptions. To better understand the vulva representations women are exposed to, the current study collected images (N = 743) of vulvas from video pornography via two websites: Pornhub.com and Bellesa.co. We categorized images based on the level of pubic hair grooming and labia minora protrusion. Bellesa did not differ from Pornhub for the labia minora feature. We found that the majority of images from both websites had barely any protrusion of the labia minora past the labia majora. Pornhub showed vulvas with no hair most often, whereas Bellesa had slightly more variation in level of grooming. It is evident that both websites are depicting mostly uniform vulvas—small, groomed, and tidy. Undeviating depictions could influence women's genital ideals, pushing them to seek out extreme surgery and beauty measures in order to adhere to the standards presented. Much like clothing advertisements, which now present a range of body shapes and sizes, presenting a diverse set of images of vulvas could be beneficial to viewers. Based on the impact these images have on women's psychological wellbeing, makers of pornography should consider diversifying their search and hiring criteria when selecting actresses, while also providing image disclaimers for their viewers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dating app users are likely to experience a high frequency of viewing the sexually explicit material of potential partners prior to a physical meeting. The present study aimed to investigate what information is inferred from a picture of a penis at zero-acquaintance. Past research in impression formation at zero-acquaintance has demonstrated a stability with regard to personality and trait perceptions of faces. Utilizing 106 participants, our study extends this paradigm by testing the hypothesis that penis prototypicality would be associated with attractiveness, as well as explore the personality and sexual perceptions of penises along the dimensions of girth, length, and amount of pubic hair. The hypotheses were confirmed and the analysis of penis dimensions revealed strong results. Penises which were wider, longer, and moderately hairy were perceived more positively in terms of personality and sexual appeal. Shorter and narrower penises were perceived as more neurotic. The results demonstrate the function of impression formation within the digital sexual landscape with regard to sexually explicit material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers how pornographers negotiated the 'permissive moment' in Britain in the 1970s. It examines, as a case study, the publication Sexpertise: Shaved Pubes Special to discuss how editors grappled with changing definitions of obscenity and sexual liberation through the content of their magazines. Sexpertise's focus on the fetishisation of female pubic hair removal was a way for the magazine's editors to locate themselves at the forefront of sexual radicalism and innovation at a time when pubic hair was seen as becoming increasingly respectable. I argue that the magazine's embrace of pubic hairlessness was not only a way for it to appear cutting edge but also reveals anxieties about the changing sexual landscape in Britain and the effects of this on the pornography market. Attempts to sustain a sense of relevance manifested in Sexpertise's engagement with the historical 'roots' of hairlessness and the erotic. This article concludes by examining more broadly the function of nostalgia within pornographic texts and considers how historians might utilise pornographic discourses as texts and archives which recycle ideas about the sexual past in order to make sense of the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As in cultures around the world, in Polish folk culture it was not deemed appropriate to speak directly about sexual acts. Much better solutions were allusions, comparisons, and metaphors. Therefore, folklore created a huge repertoire of symbols relating to eroticism in which domestic animals occupy a special place. Based on an analysis of the lyrics of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Polish erotic folk songs, it can be concluded that the love act was conceptualized symbolically as everyday activities related to the raising of domestic animals. Erotic love is referred to by means of metaphors based on the behaviour of animals towards plants, animals, and people, whereby the sexual act is represented by symbolic images: the destruction of plants by animals, the aggressive behaviour of animals, or the dynamic between predator and prey as sexual consummation. The sexual act and the readiness for sexual initiation are also expressed through the metaphor of animal hair as pubic hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young women (18–25 years) are more likely to engage in pubic hair removal and experience higher rates of negative sexual health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections [STIs]). Hair removal salons may serve as novel environments for health interventions. The Sexual Health and Esthetician (SHE) Study aimed to better understand the pubic hair removal profession, explore the esthetician–client relationship, and assess potential for esthetician offices/salons serving as health promotion/sexual health promotion intervention settings. Using an exploratory qualitative design, in-depth interviews (N = 28) were conducted with licensed estheticians who provided pubic waxing services. In a large urban area in Southern California, the catchment area of salons included five unique neighborhoods, each with high reported STI rates. Data were analyzed using a social constructivist perspective and emergent themes from interviews. Synthesis of data showed estheticians provide a variety of waxing services for young women; during appointments, sex-related discussions occur, creating "sexy spaces" where otherwise taboo conversations happen with ease; they notice clients' possible health concerns, including STIs, but have no protocols/procedures for handling these occurrences; and interactions with clients often result in the development of an intimate bond. Results indicate estheticians may be effective conveyors of sexual health promotion and risk reduction interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None disclosed.

The article presents the discussion on cannibalistic fantasies underlying some core mechanisms in psychoanalysis. Topics include psychoanalytic papers on trichotillomania and trichophagy in particular the pulling and eating of pubic hair; and understanding as enactments of helplessness and rage over abandonment as an avoidance of awareness of annihilation anxieties.

The author argues that the Milesian wool in the play "Lysistrata 729" by Aristophanes is a metaphor for female public hair. She discusses the dialogue between Lysistrata and the First Woman, previous interpretations of the passage, and an elucidation of the First Woman's true motives and intentions, and other fleece metaphors in Aristophanic comedy.

Abstract Background Previous animal and ecological studies have provided evidence for an earlier sexual maturation in females in relation to fluoride exposure; however, no epidemiological studies have examined the association between fluoride exposure and pubertal development in both boys and girls using individual-level biomarkers of fluoride. Capitalizing on an ongoing Mexican birth cohort study, we examined the association between concurrent urinary fluoride levels and physical markers of pubertal development in children. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 157 boys and 176 girls at age 10–17 years living in Mexico City. We used ion-selective electrode-based diffusion methods to assess fluoride levels in urine, adjusting for urinary specific gravity. Pubertal stages were evaluated by a trained physician. Associations of fluoride with pubertal stages and age at menarche were studied using ordinal regression and Cox proportional-hazard regression, respectively. Results In the entire sample, the geometric mean and interquartile range (IQR) of urinary fluoride (specific gravity adjusted) were 0.59 mg/L and 0.31 mg/L, respectively. In boys, our analysis showed that a one-IQR increase in urinary fluoride was associated with later pubic hair growth (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.51–0.98, p = 0.03) and genital development (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53–0.95, p = 0.02). No significant associations were found in girls, although the direction was negative. Conclusions Childhood fluoride exposure, at the levels observed in our study, was associated with later pubertal development among Mexican boys at age 10–17 years. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

The majority of pubic hair and genital self-image research describes women living in the USA, UK and Australia. This may leave attitudes and behaviours across other cultures and geographic regions ambiguous. The purpose of this study was to describe pubic hair removal attitudes and behaviours among reproductive-age women living in Italy. Individual interviews were conducted with 46 women aged 18-45 years between June and July 2017, living in Florence, Italy and currently utilising the Italian healthcare system. Pubic hair removal was popular among participants. Women mainly removed pubic hair by waxing. Sexual partners influenced removal, as did cultural norms and the desire for cleanliness. Most participants indicated pubic hair removal onset during adolescence, often upon puberty. However, most participants had never discussed removal complications with providers. Pubic hair removal often related to a more positive genital self-image because of social norms surrounding hairlessness. Removal among this sample appears to differ from the literature in other contexts, with women living in Italy engaging in more frequent and earlier waxing. Findings offer opportunities for clinicians to proactively address safe pubic hair practices and women's genital concerns during consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pubic hair grooming, including the complete removal of pubic hair, has become an increasingly common practice, particularly among young women. Although widespread, there is limited data regarding the methods, products, reasons, and complications of pubic hair removal, particularly among Saudi women. The objective was to examine pubic hair removal practices and the prevalence of its complications among Saudi women living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods In this cross-sectional study conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saudi women between 16 and 60 years of age who had the ability to read and speak Arabic, were eligible to complete an anonymous and self-administered survey on pubic hair removal practices and its complications. Results Between December 2015 and September 2016, 400 Saudi women completed the survey. The age was 26.3 ± 6.9, 16–58 (mean ± SD, range) years. About three quarters (77.0%) self-removed their pubic hair, while the remainder made use of professional personnel in medical clinics (15.5%), beauty salons (5.3%), and professional services at home (2.2%). Many women (41.8%) used a combination of hair removal methods, with non-electric razor as the most common single method used (33.5%), followed by laser (8.7%), sugaring (6.0%), waxing (4.5%), trimming (2.0%), electric razor (2.0%), and cream (1.5%). Three-quarters of women (75.5%) reported complications, and although they were mostly minor injuries, treatment had to be sought for 17.9% of complications. Multivariable analyses showed that no variables remained correlated with the occurrence of complications (age of starting hair removal, income, BMI, level of education, mode of removal, advice on removal). Conclusions Saudi women initiate pubic hair removal in early adolescence. While most complications are minor, close to one in five women experience complications.

Background: Body hair removal is an increasing trend that has an impact on the individual's body image. Aims: To characterize current body hair removal practices in Germany and the extent to which body hair removal was related to demographic characteristics, body image, and body mass index. Patients/Methods: A national survey was conducted from September to October 2016 in men and women in Germany. Body experience was measured by a standardized questionnaire. In addition to sociodemographic data, age, gender, education, marital status, monthly income, and body mass index were collected. Results: A total of n = 2510 participants aged 14 to 94 years (Mage = 48.4 years (SD = 18.2), 53.4% females) were randomly selected from the general population. 69% of the questioned women removed their body hair while only 41% of men do. The gender effect is statistically significant (χ2 = 203.43; df = 1; P <.001). Income, a higher level of education, and living in an urban region were significantly associated with body hair removal in both, men and women. Furthermore, significant differences with regard to body image were found between hair removers and nonremovers which are associated with a different attitude toward the own body. Conclusions: Germans were likely to remove body hair if they were of younger age, better educated, and with high income. Hair removal is above all a women's issue. Especially, female hair removers experience their body as an esthetic entity with the need of active reshaping. There is a "shift" from ideal of a naturally hairy body to an increased hairlessness in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When studying the development of children through the preteen years into adolescence, it is often important to link features of their physical and mental health to the stage of puberty at the time. This is complex since individuals vary substantially in the ages at which they reach different pubertal milestones., Methods: The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study based in southwest England that recruited over 14000 women in pregnancy, with expected dates of delivery between April 1991 and December 1992. From 1999, information on puberty was collected using a number of different methods : (a) A series of annual questionnaires were administered when the index children were aged between eight and 17 years; these were mainly concerned with the physical changes associated with puberty; (b) identification of the age at peak height growth using the SITAR methodology; and (c) retrospective information from the girls on their age at onset of menstruation (menarche)., Results: The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed., Conclusions: The data are available for analysis by interested researchers., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2024 Golding J et al.)

The causes of vulvovaginal problems fluctuate from more common and easier to recognize to ones that are rarer like hair-thread tourniquet. Here we report case series of three pediatric patients with vulvar problems caused by pubic hair. The study was approved by the Clinical Research Committee of the Institution (336/22). Our patients were girls one of 8 and two of 9 years old that presented at gynecological clinic with the complaints of the pain in labia minora, that occurred 2-5 days ago. Two patients had no history of trauma and one reported that symptoms appeared after riding a bike. After clinical exam, we revealed similar local signs that included enlarged, edematous and tender clitoral hood. In one patient edematous vulvar area was noticed. Also it was found a strand of hair wrapped around the labia minora and clitoris that was causing accidental strangulation. The problem was solved locally by simple removing of the hair and in one patient strangulated part of skin fell off after haircut. Patients were followed up and on the exam after a week they had normal anatomy findings. Strangulation caused by hair is a rare condition that happens to stay misdiagnosed when it occurs in genital area, so clinicians should always consider this as a differential diagnosis in cases of unclear pain and edema in vulvar area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three passages in the Babylonian Talmud directly address female pubic hair, the offensive presence of which is connected both to sexual assault and to national catastrophe. The passages also display formal similarities, in that they are all essentially Babylonian biblical commentaries into which Palestinian comments regarding pubic hair depilation are inserted. This paper argues that late Babylonian editors, living in a Sassanian Zoroastrian milieu in which pubic hair and its removal had vastly different connotations than in the Roman West, transposed their assumptions onto the sources they arranged. In doing so, they mapped their ideas about the female body onto their traditions about the past, actively composing terrifying tales of national destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Higher blood lead levels (BLLs) have been linked to neurologic deficits and impaired growth, but few studies have evaluated their association with timing of sexual maturity or pubertal progression in boys. Methods In a longitudinal cohort of Russian boys enrolled at age 8–9 and followed to adulthood, BLLs were measured at study entry, and pubertal staging (genitalia and pubic hair) and testicular volume (TV) measurements were obtained annually. We used interval-censored regression models to estimate differences between boys with higher BLL (≥5 μg/dL) and lower BLL in mean ages at sexual maturity (genitalia stage 5, pubic hair stage 5, or TV ≥ 20 mL) and duration of pubertal progression (onset to maturity), adjusting for potential confounders. Mediation analyses were conducted to quantify the percent of lead's effect attributable to its association with reduced somatic growth. Results Among 481 evaluable boys, 28% had BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL. Adjusted mean ages at sexual maturity were 14.7 years for genitalia, 16.1 for pubic hair, and 13.9 for TV. In adjusted models, boys with BLLs ≥5 μg/dL had later maturity than those with lower levels by 4–5 months depending on pubertal indicator. In mediation analyses, height and body mass index at age 11 accounted for 40–71% of the shift in age at maturity for boys with higher compared to lower BLLs. Higher BLLs were not associated with pace of pubertal progression. Conclusions Higher lead levels were associated with later attainment of sexual maturity in males, but not with the duration of pubertal progression. A high proportion of the delay in sexual maturity for boys with higher as compared to lower BLL was shown to be attributable to mediating effects of BLL on reduced growth. Highlights • Higher blood lead has been linked to impaired growth and delayed pubertal onset. • Few studies have addressed the effects of blood lead on age at male sexual maturity. • We found significant delays in maturity among Russian boys with higher lead levels. • This delay was partly due to reduced growth among boys with higher lead levels. • Higher blood lead did not appear to slow pubertal progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]