Pubic Hair Grooming and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Clinic-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Pubic hair grooming has been correlated with a selfreported history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We examined this relationship further in a cross-sectional survey of patients attending an urban STI clinic in San Francisco in 2018.Methods: Pubic hair grooming practices and detailed sexual histories were obtained. Sexually transmitted infections were confirmed via laboratory diagnosis or physical examination by a licensed provider.

Attitudes and practices associated with pubic hair grooming behaviours: A cross‐sectional study

“…Furthermore, as the number of women who undergo elective genital surgeries increases, it is essential that researchers and clinicians better understand how women view their genital appearance before undergoing surgery (such as a labiaplasty) relative to their PHG behaviours 7,16 . A woman with completely removed PH may consider genital surgery when evaluating her genitalia.…”

“…Historically, sex workers had completely removed their PH to reduce parasite transmission such as pubic lice or for medical reasons associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Recent studies have also provided significant correlations between PHG and sexual activity relative to STIs 16 . Gaither et al reported that after adjusting for age, individuals who groomed their anus were 3.1 times as likely to be diagnosed with a rectal STI compared with genital‐only groomers and non‐groomers 16 .…”

“…Recent studies have also provided significant correlations between PHG and sexual activity relative to STIs 16 . Gaither et al reported that after adjusting for age, individuals who groomed their anus were 3.1 times as likely to be diagnosed with a rectal STI compared with genital‐only groomers and non‐groomers 16 . In a cross‐sectional study conducted by Osterberg et al, researchers found a significant correlation between PHG and cutaneous STIs, including herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis, and molluscum 17 .…”

“…16 Gaither et al reported that after adjusting for age, individuals who groomed their anus were 3.1 times as likely to be diagnosed with a rectal STI compared with genital-only groomers and non-groomers. 16 In a cross-sectional study conducted by Osterberg et al, researchers found a significant correlation between PHG and cutaneous STIs, including herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis, and molluscum. 17 The authors of this study reported that 13% of participants (N = 943) had a history of STI(s) (11% of men and 15% of women), with a more significant proportion of groomers reporting a lifetime history of STI(s) than non-groomers (14% vs 8%).…”

Lubrication Practices and Receptive Anal Sex: Implications for STI Transmission and Prevention

“…The study population for this analysis is a subcohort from another initial, published study that evaluates the association between pubic hair grooming and STI diagnosis. 16 In that study, eligible participants were identified amongst individuals visiting the San Francisco Department of Public Health City Clinic between April and May of 2018 based on the inclusion criteria: primary English speaker, age ≥18. From those eligible in the initial study, the informed consented participants who completed the survey and reported receptive anal sex in the past 3 months were eligible for this secondary post-hoc analysis.…”