epilation involves risks of vaginal infections

Whether by hygiene or for reasons of comfort or aesthetics, more than three out of four French women regularly depilate pubic hair, partially or completely. But this practice is not without consequences, it increases the risk of vaginal infections.

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Hair removal or accepting the hairs that nature has endowed us with? A question that more and more women are asking themselves. Partly because they want to feel free to maintain their bodies as they see fit, without necessarily complying with beauty orders. But also for health reasons. Indeed, the hairs, and in particular those of the pubis, are not there only to keep warm: they also form a protective barrier for the vaginal flora. As a result, a close-shaved pubic area or a fully shaved bikini line increases the risk of infection or mycoses Vaginal.

According to a recent OpinionWay survey carried out for Saforelle on a sample of 1,200 French women and 200 gynecologists, more than three out of four women use bikini hair removal (partial or total). Among them, 65% state that they do so primarily for their own comfort (65%), for hygiene (56%) or for aesthetic reasons (41%).

Hair removal of the bikini line more exposed to vaginal infections

However, this ritual is not without consequences for 92% of respondents, who recognize that the more hair removal area is large, the more health problems are likely to appear there. A phenomenon confirmed by the gynecologists interviewed as part of this survey: nearly one doctor in two finds an increase in symptoms and pathologies related to full or semi-full hair removal.

Vaginosis, ingrown hair, mycosis, itching… the range of infections linked to the imbalance of the vaginal flora is wide. However, 60% of women who suffer them after having their hair shaved do not dare to talk about it. This embarrassment probably explains why one in three women did not find a solution to overcome this type of inconvenience.

To avoid irritations or infections daily, it is advisable not to wash the interior area of ​​the vagina too frequently and do it with a mild soap, without a washcloth. Be careful not to wear jeans that are too tight, favor cotton materials for underwear and not wearing panties or briefs at night will also help preserve the balance of the vaginal flora.

Pubic hair: total hair removal associated with the risk of STIs

Hair removal from pubic hair is associated with a higher risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections (IST), as gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia or syphilis. The risk increases even more among followers of full and very frequent hair removal.

Article by Marie-Hélène Ray, published on December 6, 2006

Sexually transmitted infections or STIs are on the rise in France, as shown in the weekly epidemiological bulletin from the French public health agency published in early December, hence the importance of understanding the reasons for this upsurge. Unprotected sex promotes transmission, but are there other factors?

Hair removal for pubic hair has become a common practice among women and men around the world. The canons of beauty and seduction have evolved over time and the hairs have become undesirable. To find out if pubic conditions influence STI transmission, researchers from the University of California (San Francisco) have compiled the results of a study on the habits of 7,580 American adults, 56% of whom are men. Participants answered questions about the frequency and the intensity of their hair removal (total or partial), on the means used to eliminate pubic hair and on their sex life. Among them, 7,470 had at least one sexual partner.

Researchers considered those who completely removed pubic hair at least 11 times a year to be “extreme epilators”, and those who epilated daily or weekly as “very frequent” epilators. The results appear in the review Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Three quarters of the participants had already shaved pubic hair, more women (84%) than men (66%). Among these people, 17% were extreme epilators and 22% were very frequent epilators. Overall, those who depilated were younger, more sexually active, and had more sexual partners in the year or during their lifetime. The number of partners in extreme epilators was the highest.

High risk of STIs with frequent and total hair removal

Regarding the means of hair removal, the Shaver electric was the preferred tool for men, while for women it was rather the manual razor. One in five people used scissors. Women used wax more often than men.

In total, 13% of participants (943 people) declared that they had already contracted an STI (herpes, HPV, syphilis, molluscum, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV) or crabs. Overall, waxing was associated with an 80% increase in risk. The intensity and frequency of epilations played a role: in extreme or very frequent epilators, their epilating practice was associated with a risk multiplied by a factor of 3.5 to 4, in particular for infections which are caused by skin contact (herpes, HPV).

For crabs, overall, waxing was associated with a higher risk but extreme and very frequent hair removal was not associated with the risk. Indeed, hair removal reduces the quantity and length of pubic hairs and therefore reduces the risk of crabs.

As this is an observational study, it is not possible to conclude on a cause and effect link. To explain these results, the researchers put forward several hypotheses: hair removal, considered as a preparatory stage for sexual intercourse, may be associated with higher sexual activity and therefore with a higher risk of STIs; in addition, hair removal can cause small sores on the skin whereby bacteria and virus enter more easily (eg HPV virus).