9 WTF Facts About Pubic Hair We Bet You Never Knew

So what is the deal with pubic hair? For real, we’re not all that sure.

Pubic hair is a pretty polarizing issue. The purpose of pubic hair remains a mystery and yet we spend a whole lot of time trying to figure out what to do about it. While some women maintain a “full bush,” others enjoy a landing strip and some of us go bare. What we choose to do about our pubic hair is often intimately related to our beau’s preferences.

However, many of us have our reasons, too, which include but aren’t limited to: feeling cleaner, smoother, and maybe even more sensitive when we have less hair! And as decades pass, trends often determine a major change in how women (or men) groom their pubic hair.

So what IS the deal with pubic hair? For real, we’re not all that sure ourselves but here’s a bit of insight from someone who knows.

1. Nobody’s exactly sure why we have pubes.

After millions of years on this planet, we’re still not quite sure why we have pubic hair. However, most sources agree that pubic hair relates to pheromones. According to Madeleine Castellanos, MD., pheromones are scents that the body produces that may attract a mate.

2. It may be cushion against friction that causes skin abrasion.

In addition to providing protection from bacteria.

3. Waxing is less painful after your period.

Hair removal i.e. waxing is less painful the week after your period, says Castellanos. We tend to be super sensitive in the days leading up to and during our period, but less sensitive (i.e. higher pain threshold) in the few days to follow.

4. We transfer pubic hair during s*x.
Here’s a reason to shave that bush, and ask him to do the same! A study reveals that some pubic hair is tranferred to our partner during s*x (as if that’s the only thing!).

5. The curtains don’t always match the rug.

Pubic hair may vary in color from hair on scalp … why is this? Well, hair color is determined by our melanin and that amount can range from one part of our body to another!

6. In the Victorian era, women wore wigs on their vaginas.

(Yes, you read correctly). Back during the Victorian era, a lot of women shaved their lady bits in order to prevent lice infestations (Um, ew?!). Many of these women would invest in a Merkin — a pubic hair WIG. Interestingly, to this day, the ladies of the P0*n industry where Merkins as well; this is in order to cover their private parts during intimate scenes. (Modesty, y’all!).

7. Sexually active people are more likely to shave their pubes.

Sexually active people are more likely to remove pubic hair than those who aren’t having s*x, says Castellanos.

8. women spend $23K on waxing over a lifetime.

women who wax spend an average of twenty-three thousand dollars on hair removal over the course of a lifetime, says Castellanos. Ouch! That’s a steep price to pay for a little T.L.C., but I suppose it comes with the territory. And if it’s in the name of beauty, then to hell with it.

9. A form of ID

How wild is this? Our prehistoric ancestors didn’t run by the same age of consent laws we do. The appearance of pubic and other body hair was one of the ways to show that you were sexually mature. “Pubic hair also tends to get thinner when you are past your childbearing years; another way to indicate age and fertility,” says Katrina “Rainsong” Messenger.