A trend I've noticed is that many girls and women ~ 10 to 20 years younger than me believe that their pubic hair is a bad thing and must be removed entirely. I did not grow up with such a cultural "norm." There's even a trend now whereby girls are getting laser procedures to remove the hair so it won't grow back.

For my own comfort, I do some grooming but I do not wax everything off nor do I pay someone to do that for me. I had this conversation with my gynecologist because I was curious about her thoughts. She encouraged me to continue as I am: "Removing the hair is not healthy. It increases the risk of infection. I don't have any problem with patients who are not waxed. Sometimes women think I expect that. I don't."

I believe the "bald" trend originated in the porn industry. The idea was that more of the man's penis could be seen and supposedly a bald vulva would be more appealing.

What do other women here think? Anyone comfortable sharing their own habits?

I respect any choice made by girls and women for their own bodies. If folks want to wax it all off, that's what works for them. What I'm uncomfortable with is the pressure on young women to not have any pubic hair. That seems loopy to me. I dated a man who tried to pressure me to go bald. I told him to take a hike. Plus, any man who says he can't go down on a woman unless she's bald isn't doing it right

[sarahsweets]

I am 44 now and I got married when I was 20. Around age 23 or 24 I went through a "phase" of majorly overgrooming my lady parts and for me it was definitely related to that "porn star" look or being sexy. The funny thing is I have the sweetest husband who never made me feel bad about what's natural or insinuated that things should be shaved. I firmly believe it was the messages I was receiving. This was in the late 90's/2000 and big boobs, thongs sticking out of your low rise jeans and a certain way of grooming was considered desirable. I always wanted breast implants because I am a b and thought I would be sexy with bigger ones. I had these ideas through all three kids, all the way up until about 2/4 years ago. I had an ingrown hair in that area and had to go see my primary ( you can guess what had to be done) and she told me also about the infection protection, how these little things turned into abcesses and how a small nick could end up being staph if any "dirt" got into it. I thought about it that night and realized that I hated shaving anyway. It was a chore and itched growing back in! I used to weigh 300lbs and had roux-n-y gastric bypass and have kept all the weight off for 10 years. But you do not get to pick where the weight comes off at so I still thought I wanted breast implants for proportional reasons. Since I have stopped the severe landscaping I have come to realize that I do not want silicone that could harden or saline that could burst under the muscle on my chest. My husband is well occupied with what I have going on and even though a women with big boobs might catch him off guard for a hot minute- he seems to be just fine with it. The good thing is tiny boobies and bralettes are a thing now so finally I am in style. Sorry to hijack and branch out your thread but it all goes hand in hand for me.

[Ohseedee]

I agree, and would go further and say other hair (leg hair, armpit hair) on a woman isn't a bad thing either!

That being said, I prefer to keep things shaved because it feels better for me, but that is a personal preference.

[TishaBuv]

Yes, there are hair styles on top of one’s head and down there. There’s also ‘manscaping’ pressure put on men now for the same reasons. No pube shaming!

[Aviza]

I go through phases, I have waxed, but honestly I prefer to trim with a scissors or something. I just don't care for the bare feel.

[piggy momma]

I used to get everything waxed off. Then I tried laser. Both are incredibly painful, so now I just shave it. I don’t get it nearly as clean as I like (I like to be completely bald and soft) but it does the job. I’m not in a relationship so it’s for no one else’s benefit but my own.

Ironically, I just shaved my legs for the first time since October yesterday lol.

[Betty_Banana]

Back in the day men thought a "big bush" was sexy and now it's gone to the other extreme hasn't it?

I have stopped shaving and have decided to allow my bush to grow.I got an infected hair a few months ago and it took forever to heal up and left a scar.It's not worth it to me.

[Rive1976]

I used to have to go bald for my husband and he went bald for me. We liked it that way. I did get an ingrown hair though which stunk. Now that I am not in a relationship I have no need to do it but I am not opposed to doing it again in future relationships.

[Calypso2632]

I used to do the shaved clean bit. Now I honestly don't care. And the ingrown hairs/pimples from shaving are no longer worth the effort. My boyfriend doesn't seem to care about a full bush so I just let it be. Lol. And with the comment about other body hair I can totally let my legs go. Could not give two f's. But the pits need to be shaved!! I dunno I guess it's just a comfort thing with the prickly and then itchy? Ugh! Hate that feeling!! Lol

[romantic rose]

I did shave down there a few times in the past for a guy who said I needed to if he was to go down on me. It is a pain in the neck in my opinion, and it itches when it grows back.

But it's definitely staying on, and my arms and legs are like bushes too atm. Am not seeing anyone so I see no reason to shave. Is like an extra layer of fur in the winter.

[romantic rose]

In fact have not shaved at all since before Christmas and likely won't until I wear something with very short sleeves.