People Who Trim Their Pubes Are More Likely To Have An STI

A recently published University of California study found out that more than 80 percent of the study participants who groom their pubic hair stood higher chances of contracting an STD. What’s more shocking is that the “extreme groomers” were exposed to the vulnerability at least four more times.These findings are unique in their own way. They block all that we have always known about pubic hair.

Is it just because of grooming?

But before you quickly run to throw away your electric razor kits, consider this. The frequently grooming folks majorly do so because they are sexually active. They feel it isn’t right for their partners to see the hair and thus shave it off. But with every shave, it may be a precursor to a sexual moment – which basically raises the risk of contracting STDs. After all, what is the point of all the upkeep if you have no intentions of hooking up with anybody?

But also, there is this other explanation that overly rigorous or haphazard grooming may cause "epidermal microtears," which creates smoother pathways for STDs to penetrate into your bloodstream.

While trying to explain the same results, the researchers said that there was also the possibility of shared use of grooming tools having been central in the spread.

The media propagating pubic hair trimming

As explained by Dr Benjamin Breyer, pubic hair trimming has become a common practice among men and women worldwide.

“The media has driven adoption of new grooming patterns and modern society's definition of attractiveness, cleanliness and feelings of femininity or masculinity.” This has been instrumental in changing our definition of genital normalcy.

Whether or not you believe that pubic hair trimming can cause STD infection, the study is a quick reminder that as you trim, wax or shave the little guy, be careful.

How the study was done

To conduct this study, United States researchers questioned 14,409 participants of their grooming habits, any cases of STDs and sexual habits.

Almost three quarters said they had trimmed in the past, with more women (84 per cent) than men (66 per cent) engaging in the practice.

The team ended up with “extreme groomers” and “High frequency groomers.” The extreme groomers are those who trimmed more than 11 times per year while high frequency group are those who partly groomed on a weekly or daily basis. Just more than one in five was classified as high-frequency, while 17 per cent fell into the 'extreme' category.

The young people were found to groom more frequently and had a considerably higher number of sexual partners as opposed to those who didn’t.

In total, 943 research participants reported that they had contracted HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, chlamydia, herpes or pubic lice. Some of them did private STD testing while others had to see a doctor for that. 

Contributor: admin