Pubic Hair Removal Practices and Motivations Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Men

• Published in: American journal of men's health 2024-09, Vol.18 (5), p.15579883241279830
• Main Authors: Walsh-Buhi, Eric R., Javidi, Hannah, Walsh-Buhi, Margaret L., Herbenick, Debby, Houghton, Rebecca F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Hair Removal; Humans; Male; Male Sexual and Reproductive Health; Middle Aged; Motivation; Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Sexual orientation; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1557-9883; 1557-9891; 1557-9891
• DOI: 10.1177/15579883241279830

Understanding current pubic hair removal (PHR) practices is vital for public health, given the prevalence among U.S. adults. This study updates the understanding of PHR practices, motivations, and correlates in a nationally representative sample of adult men. In April 2023, through a probability-based internet panel survey (Ipsos KnowledgePanel®), we found that nearly half (46.7%) of respondents reported lifetime PHR, with 29.2% reporting PHR in the past 30 days. Statistically significant differences were observed in sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, sexual activity, and social media use. A higher proportion of Gay and Bisexual men (GBM) reported lifetime PHR (76.5%) compared with heterosexual men (44.6%), with GBM having nearly 3 times greater odds of reporting lifetime PHR (OR = 2.891, 95%CI [1.2, 6.7]). Being sexually active in the past month statistically significantly predicted both lifetime PHR (OR = 1.884, 95%CI [1.2, 2.9]) and past 30-day PHR (OR = 2.849, 95%CI [1.8, 4.6]). Age also emerged as a significant predictor, as men aged 25 to 34 years (OR = 2.275, 95%CI [1.0, 5.0]) and 45 to 54 years (OR = 2.493, 95%CI [1.1, 5.6]) had higher odds of reporting lifetime PHR compared with those aged 18 to 24 years. This study provides valuable insights and updated national data on the prevalence, methods, and frequency of PHR among men in the United States. Given the correlations between PHR practices and factors such as sexual orientation, sexual activity, and age, these findings can equip educators and health care providers with data to foster better health outcomes through acknowledging and addressing the interplay between individual choices and broader social and cultural factors.