Perceptions & Correlates of Pubic Hair Removal & Grooming among College-Aged Women

Background:

Although much is known about behavioural indicators of pubic hair removal, current research lacks deeper cognitive reasoning and understanding through utilising quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The purpose of this study was to: (1) describe and understand pubic hair removal behaviours using a quantitative survey; and (2) examine the relationship between pubic hair removal, sexual behaviours and genital self-image using in-depth interviews

Methods:

Data were collected from women aged 18-24 years living in the United States. Overall, 663 participants completed an online survey and 53 completed in-depth interviews. Questions asked related to pubic hair removal and sexual history.

Results:

Participants removed hair for hygiene, comfort and sensation purposes, which was a personal decision influenced by family, friends and the media. Race, pubic hair removal initiation age, genital image and sexual behaviours were significantly related to pubic hair removal.

Conclusions:

Data from this study prove that further education regarding safe pubic hair removal methods is needed, especially for those who initiate pubic hair removal and sexual behaviours concurrently.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/kNOpX5

By:  Andrea L. DeMaria A D, Beth Sundstrom B, Stephanie M. McInnis B and Emily RogersC 

A Department of Health and Human Performance, College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424-0001, USA. B Department of Communication, College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424-0001, USA. C Women’s and Gender Studies Program, College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424-0001, USA. D Corresponding author. Email: demariaa@cofc.edu 

Sex Health. 2016 Feb 18. doi: 10.1071/SH15034. 

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Crab Louse

A 25-year-old married male presented with itching in the pubic area since two weeks. He gave a history of extramarital contact three weeks ago. On examination he was found to have excoriated papules in lower abdomen, pubic area and thighs. Close inspection revealed multiple brown colored nits attached to the pubic hairs. A clinical diagnosis of phthiriasis pubis was made. Other hair bearing areas including axilla, beard, mustache, eyelids and scalp were examined and were found to be free from infestation. He had no genital ulcer, urethral discharge or inguinal adenopathy. Serology for syphilis and retroviral status were non reactive. Microscopic examination of pubic hair revealed the presence of pubic louse with characteristic morphology and a blood filled esophagus indicating a recent blood meal [Figure 1].

The Crab louse or Phthirus pubis is a dorsoventrally flattened, wingless insect of order Anoplura and familyPthiridae. Adult louse measures about 1–2 mm with three parts namely head, thorax with three pairs of legs, and abdomen. The terminal part of each leg has claw-like appendages whose grasp is designed to match the diameter of pubic or axillary hair. The louse buries sharp mouthpiece stylets inside the pubic hair follicle to obtain a constant blood supply.[1]

Sexual transmission is considered the most important means of crab louse transmission.[2] However, there are documented cases of transmission from toilet seats, beds, and egg-infested loose hairs dropped by infested persons on shared objects. Treatment options include 1% permethrin rinse, 5% permethrin cream, 1% lindane shampoo, oral ivermectin. Occlusive agents like vaseline, freshly prepared fluorescein eyedrops and manual removal of nits are recommended in case the eyelashes are infested.

Below: Crab louse with its characteristic morphology grasping the hair shaft with blood filled esophagus (40× magnification)

Via: http://goo.gl/cBkjNF

By: Arun Prasath Palanisamy, Kamalakannan Kutuwa Kanakaram, Sivasubramanian Vadivel, and Srivenkateswaran Kothandapany

Department of Dermatology and STD, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal, Puducherry, India

Address for correspondence: Dr. Arun Prasath Palanisamy, Department of Dermatology and STD, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal - 609 609, Puducherry, India. E-mail: ni.oc.oohay@tri_lihumrd

   

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The Influence of Sexual Orientation & Sexual Role on Male Grooming-Related Injuries & Infections

Pubic hair grooming is a common practice in the United States and coincides with prevalence of grooming-related injuries. Men who have sex with men (MSM) groom more frequently than men who have sex with women (MSW). We aim to characterize the influence of sexual orientation and sexual role on grooming behavior, injuries, and infections in men in the United States.

We conducted a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18–65 residing in the United States. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of injuries and infections that occur as a result of personal grooming.

Of the 4,062 men who completed the survey, 

• 3,176 (78.2%) report having sex with only women (MSW), 
• 198 (4.9%) report sex with men (MSM), and 
• 688 (16.9%) report not being sexually active. 
• MSM are more likely to groom (42.5% vs. 29.0%) 
• and groom more around the anus, scrotum, and penile shaft compared with MSW. 
• MSM receptive partners groom more often (50.9% vs. 26.9%) and groom more for sex (85.3% vs. 51.9%) compared with MSM insertive partners. 
• MSM report 
• more injuries to the anus (7.0% vs. 1.0%), 
• more grooming-related infections (7.0% vs. 1.0%) and abscesses (8.8% vs. 2.5%), 
• as well as lifetime sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (1.65 vs. 1.45) compared with MSW. 
• More receptive partners report grooming at the time of their STI infection (52.2% vs. 14.3%) compared with insertive partners.

Sexual orientation, and in particular sexual role, may influence male grooming behavior and impact grooming-related injuries and infections. Anogenital grooming may put one at risk for an STI. Healthcare providers should be aware of different grooming practices in order to better educate safe depilatory practices (i.e., the use of electric razors for anogenital grooming) in patients of all sexual orientations.

Full article at: http://goo.gl/TlIrnb

By: Thomas W. Gaither, BS,* Matthew Truesdale, MD,* Catherine R. Harris, MD, MPH,* Amjad Alwaal, MD,* Alan W. Shindel, MD,† Isabel E. Allen, PhD,‡ and Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS*

*Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

†Department of Urology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA

‡Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

  

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