Most of us have done some form of pubic hair grooming at some stage.  Even if it hasn’t been complete deforestation, we have engaged in some form of regular maintenance.  Many terms describe this, including landscaping, trimming the bushes, manscaping, tidying the putty hole, and so on.

The eradication of pubic hairs

This warfare on pubic hair gained popularity in the 90’s when the Brazillian wax gained popularity.  It is estimated that around 60% of women have removed their pubic hair at some stage.  Women and men are waxing, shaving, and applying hair removal cream to their genital areas.  In addition, the popularity of laser treatment for this area has instigated nuclear warfare on the pube, whereby women are progressively removing more pubic hair on a permanent scale.

Common reasons for removal

The most common reason for removing pubic hair is the perception that pubic hair is unclean.  So removal of it from the genitals makes our genitals feel, look, or seem more hygienic.  The second is the assumption that our partners would prefer us with less hair down there, or it makes our genitals look more attractive.  No guesses that porns preference for the image of a hairless clean slit hasn’t played a significant part in this!

But what do our pubes actually do?

What does that wiry, coarse hair actually do?  It grows on our body in that area, so is there a particular reason for it to exist there?

Well, the primary purpose of pubic hair is to protect our genitals.  From a female perspective, we spoke about how the vulva is this magical self-cleaning device, right?  Well, your pubes play a role in this job.  Think of pubes like eyelashes or nose hair.   They exist to trap sweat, dirt, debris, and other potentially harmful microorganisms.  In addition, the pubic hair follicles produce sebum, an oil that prevents bacteria from reproducing on the skin.  So basically, it’s a protective device.

It also works as a buffer in various ways.  One way is to reduce friction.  For example, your genital area skin can be pretty delicate, and hair in this area works to help reduce the potential for friction when skin rubs against the skin during sexual intercourse.  That mound of hair can also help with airflow to the genital region by allowing space between underwear and your genital area.  The bushy mound can help keep the fabric from rubbing against your vulva or let some extra airflow to help cool those sweaty balls.  Pubic hair helps keep your undies cleaner too.

Yes, pubic hair does collect sweat, dirt, etc., and this is where the connotation of the hair being unclean comes from, but so does the hair on our head.  Yet, we aren’t all shaving, waxing, or removing it.  The funny thing about hair is it does get dirty, but then you wash it.  So do we think it’s only ‘more’ dirty because of the area it exists in?  So many people believe that pubic hair is unhygienic when one of its primary purposes is to keep your genital area clean, which is ironic, don’t you think?

A free lubricant

Pubic hair also has the notion of ‘dry lubrication.’ This is because when skin rubs against it, it can cause friction and often abrasions.  However, when hair rubs against hair, things move more quickly, with no friction. 

Take home message

So what is the take-home message regarding pubic hair?  Well, your body, your choice.  Educating you on pubic hair’s purpose or role in your body enables you to make an informed choice for yourself and your body without prescribing societal notions on how your genitalia should look.