More than 80 percent of women groom their pubic hair regularly, based on survey data from diverse groups of women in Western countries. That number includes all methods of removal, from shaving and waxing to trimming and laser treatments. The percentage who have gone completely bare at least once is also high: over 60 percent.
How Common Is Pubic Hair Removal
The 80 percent figure represents women who actively do something to manage their pubic hair on a recurring basis. But “grooming” covers a wide spectrum. About 75 percent of women who groom focus on the front and bikini line rather than removing everything. So while most women remove some pubic hair, total removal is less common as a routine habit, even though a majority have tried it.
Only about 5 percent of women groom daily. A monthly schedule is far more typical. Grooming activity peaks between adolescence and the mid-30s, then tapers off. Older women are more likely to groom less frequently or stop altogether.
Why Most Women Remove Pubic Hair
The top reason women give for removing pubic hair is a feeling of cleanliness. In one survey, 85 percent of women who removed their hair cited wanting “a cleaner look” as their primary motivation. Nearly half (48 percent) said they found pubic hair unattractive. Other commonly cited reasons include sexual attractiveness, comfort, fitting in with peer norms, and feeling more feminine.
Partner preference plays a role too, but it’s not the dominant driver. Roughly 20 percent of women who groom say they do it because a partner wants them to. A more common situational trigger is a gynecologist visit: about 40 percent of women who groom report tidying up before an appointment. Over 55 percent prefer to remove hair before sex.
It’s worth noting that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is clear on this point: there is no medical reason to remove pubic hair, and pubic hair is not dirty or unclean. The sense that removal equals better hygiene is a social perception, not a medical fact.
Cultural Differences in Grooming Habits
Most of the research on pubic hair removal focuses on women in Western countries, where the practice has become widespread over the past two decades. Researchers often attribute the trend to product marketing, pornography, and pop culture. But when anthropologists examined grooming practices across 72 societies worldwide using a cross-cultural database, they found that women practice pubic hair removal more commonly than men in many cultures, and the reasons often overlap with Western motivations: hygiene concerns and sexual activity.
That said, the specific drivers vary. In non-Western societies, the practice can’t always be traced back to media exposure or commercial products. Some cultures have longstanding traditions around pubic hair removal or retention tied to rites of passage, religious customs, or local beauty standards.
Side Effects Are Extremely Common
If you do remove pubic hair, skin irritation is nearly unavoidable at some point. About 60 percent of women who groom have experienced at least one health complication from removal, most commonly skin abrasions and ingrown hairs. Genital itching is even more widespread, reported by over 80 percent of groomers on at least one occasion. These numbers come from clinical data, including cases that ended up in emergency departments for more serious injuries like cuts and infections.
The genital area is particularly vulnerable to irritation because the skin is thinner, stays moist, and is subject to friction from clothing. Shaving creates tiny nicks that can become entry points for bacteria, leading to folliculitis (infected hair follicles that look like small red bumps or whiteheads).
Reducing Irritation If You Shave
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a few basics for anyone who shaves the pubic area. Use a clean razor each time and don’t share grooming tools with anyone else. Shave carefully and slowly, ideally in the direction of hair growth to minimize ingrown hairs. After shaving, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer that won’t clog pores, which helps counter the dryness and irritation that typically follow.
Trimming with scissors or an electric trimmer is a lower-risk alternative that avoids the razor-against-skin contact responsible for most complications. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs or folliculitis, switching from a razor to a trimmer can make a significant difference. You won’t get a smooth finish, but you’ll also skip the itching, bumps, and abrasions that most women experience with shaving.