I like to think I know myself pretty well. I know I have a tiny, dark mole about two inches below my left collarbone and I’ve stared at myself naked enough times to be extremely familiar with the size and shape of my boobs. One area of my body I don’t know that well is my vajay. My vagina has been with me all my life, but I wouldn’t exactly say we’re close friends. My boyfriend has a better chance of picking my vagina out of a police lineup than I do.
The only time we get up close and personal is when I take a weed wacker to my woodland forest every week or so. We’re all different in how we like to tame our beavers. Personally, I leave no hair behind in my deforestation attempt (except for one or two lucky bastards who I only notice are there when I’m out of the shower).
A new study titled “Pubic Hair Grooming Prevalence and Motivation Among Women in the United States” says I’m not alone — 62 percent of American women reported removing all of their pubic hair, while 84 percent said they did some grooming. Researchers also found that white, college-educated women are more inclined to remove their hair down there.
What’s most surprising is the reason most of us choose to go bald.
“While previous research showed that women groom to facilitate sexual activity,” writes Jan Hoffman in the New York Times. “This survey found the overwhelming majority said they did so for hygiene.”
“At least once a week I hear from a young woman that she thinks it’s wrong to have pubic hair, that it’s meant to be removed,” Dr. Jennifer Gunter, ob-gyn, told the New York Times.
I have to admit, I am that young woman who hates a hairy vajay, and I feel like most college-aged women feel the same way. We think hairlessness is akin to godliness, but we couldn’t be more wrong. It’s actually more hygienic NOT to groom your pubes.
“Pubic hair removal naturally irritates and inflames the hair follicles left behind, leaving microscopic open wounds,” says Dr. Emily Gibson.
Those open wounds make you more at risk for contracting STIs, which is just about the worst catch-22 of all time. Get rid of the hair on your vagina and risk gonorrhea (or worse), or let your hair grow wild down there and risk guys judging you and possibly refusing to go down on you.
Laser hair removal is looking better and better with each passing day. .
[via Cosmopolitan]
Image via Shutterstock
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Cristina Montemayor
Cristina is a Grandex Writer and Content Manager. She was an intern for over two years before she graduated a semester early to write about college full time, which makes absolutely no sense. She regretfully considers herself a Carrie, but is first and foremost a Rory. She tends to draw strong reactions from people. They are occasionally positive. You can find her in a bar as you're bending down to tie your shoes, drinking Dos XX and drunk crying to Elton John. Email her: [email protected] (not .com).
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