How to Care for Your Hair…Down There

How do I care for my pubic hair with out giving myself a yeast an infection? Is there something I can do in addition to washing within the bathe? I’ve observed there are actually oils and lotions available on the market, however I’m cautious based mostly on previous expertise.

— Franny

[Have a query about ladies’s well being? Ask Dr. Gunter your self.]

Short Take

There isn’t any want for any particular pubic hair care routine. There are a number of pubic hair care merchandise available on the market, however all appear designed as an answer to a nonexistent downside.

Tell Me More

How to care or not care for pubic hair has not been studied. We know that eradicating pubic hair is related to accidents — burns from scorching wax, for instance, or lacerations from razors. Infections from accidents or ingrown hairs also can occur. There can be knowledge that means pubic hair elimination could also be related to an elevated danger of transmission of some sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. It is feasible that the an infection danger rises as a result of the elimination of pubic hair creates a neater portal of entry for some micro organism and viruses. It can be attainable that pubic hair elimination may change the microenvironment of the vulva in a means that reduces pure protection mechanisms. This affiliation between pubic hair elimination and STIs is also correlation and never trigger and impact. Basically, we don’t know what we don’t know.

There isn’t any knowledge linking pubic hair grooming of any form with vaginal yeast infections. Remember, the vagina is inside your physique and the areas of the vulva which have pubic hair are on the skin (the place garments contact the pores and skin). The labia minora, the a part of the vulva that’s closest to the vaginal opening, doesn’t have pubic hair. Biologically, it appears unbelievable that pubic hair care regimens or elimination would contribute to vaginal yeast infections.

Could pubic hair elimination contribute to vulvar yeast infections? These infections, a lot much less frequent than vaginal yeast infections, produce intense exterior itching in addition to redness of the vulva. It is feasible that pubic hair elimination may, by way of microtrauma, permit yeast that’s usually on the pores and skin to trigger a vulvar yeast an infection, though this speculation has not been studied.

Removal apart, it appears biologically implausible that the way you care for your pubic hair may lead to any an infection. Washing the world with a cleanser as a substitute of cleaning soap is probably going higher for the pores and skin on the vulva as a result of soaps are drying and might increase the pH degree of the pores and skin. (The pH degree of the vulvar pores and skin is often low.) Additionally, dryness or short-term adjustments in pH may lead to irritation that is perhaps mistaken for a yeast an infection.

What about oils and lotions? These business merchandise are all untested. If you are feeling your pubic hair is dry, strive switching from a cleaning soap to a fragrance-free facial cleanser. You don’t want a particular vulvar cleanser. If you need to strive a pubic hair product to see if that provides you softer hair, you may strive cooking oil, equivalent to a small quantity of coconut or olive oil. These are additionally untested, however not like the business merchandise they’ve just one ingredient. If fancy merchandise in jars spark pleasure for you, simply be cautious of any irritation; many of those merchandise have fragrances, which could possibly be an irritant or allergen.

Remember, pubic hair care merchandise are extremely unlikely to supply any well being profit, so be clear to your self why you might be utilizing them — for enjoyable or how they make you are feeling as opposed to treating or stopping any medical situation.

Dr. Jen Gunter, typically referred to as Twitter’s resident gynecologist, is teaming up with our editors to reply your questions on all issues ladies’s well being. From what’s regular for your anatomy to wholesome intercourse and clearing up the reality behind unusual wellness claims, Dr. Gunter, who additionally writes a column referred to as The Cycle, guarantees to deal with your questions with respect, forthrightness and honesty.