Pubic Hair: Your Pubes, Your Choice

Lots of people worry about people trimming, shaving or waxing their pubes. No idea why …

Why people like to trim their pubes

So lots of people choose to trim, shave, or wax the hair around their genitals, known as pubic hair. They might do this because

• They think it looks better
• They want to be able to see their genitals more clearly
• It can make penises look a bit bigger
• They prefer the feel of having fewer or shorter pubic hairs
• They think that their partner might prefer it (for example, to reduce the chance of pubes getting in the mouth during oral sex)
• Porn performers often have very trimmed pubic hair and they may want to look like that
• It might be a cultural thing*

Pubes have a role

All fair enough. If you want to trim, shave or wax your pubes then do it: they are your pubes you can do what you like!

However, it’s important to know that they have a function. They help to lubricate and protect the genitals. They prevent friction burns if you like rubbing genitals with someone else. I’ve heard stories of people shaving or waxing their pubes and getting a rash or little spots, and then freaking out that they might have an infection. But this is commonly because of either friction burns or ingrowing hairs caused by waxing/shaving.

Also it’s thought that pubic hair can help to release our own natural scent which makes us attractive to other people (pheremones). But I wouldn’t advise that you deliberately grow your pubes really long in order to attract someone! Lots of people might not like this smell and choose to shave or trim: that’s fine. But also know that the smell is natural and meant to be there.

* Pubic and body hair in general is often culturally specific. In some cultures pubic hair removal is seen as a normal thing to do.

Here’s an interesting article about the history of pubic hair, how many people shave theirs and whether this is down to porn’s influence (spoiler – it isn’t).

Comment below if you like (I moderate all comments before they go live, so no being cheeky!)

See what else you can find out about today!

A-Z of Porn About You Abuse Arousal Ask Bish Bisexual Body Image Clitoris Communication Condoms Consent Contraception Coronavirus Dry Humping Ejaculation Feelings Friendships Gender Kissing Law Love Masturbation Oral Sex Orgasm Parents Penis Pleasure Porn Positions Pregnancy Pressure Relationships Safer Sex Saying No Self Care Self Esteem Services Sex Education Sexting STIs Teach yourself Team Bish The Right Time Trust Vagina

© Justin Hancock, 2023

If you have a question that I’ve not already answered you can ask me here

I’ve kind of given up on social media as they keep deplatforming sex education! Most of my readers stay updated via email. So sign up here and get an automatic email every time I post a new article on here.

You can buy my book wherever you buy books. If you buy it via my Bookshop then I earn more money and that helps me keep this website running.

This website is free and free of adverts. To keep it that way it relies on your support. Here are all of the ways you can support BISH and keep us going.

If you’re over 18 and would like an advanced version of BISH check out my podcast Culture Sex Relationships. Also I’ve written a sex advice book for adults with Meg-John Barker called A Practical Guide to Sex available wherever you get books. We also did some zines to help you to figure out what you want from sex and relationships. They are at our website.

If you are an educator please don’t just show this website in class, they aren’t designed to be used as teaching resources. Instead, facilitate your own really great RSE with my resources at bishtraining.com.

Justin Hancock has been a trained sex and relationships educator since 1999. In that time he’s taught and given advice about sex and relationships with thousands of young people in person and millions online. He’s a member of the World Association for Sexual Health.