Scientists find links between pubic hair removal and STIs

People who shave or shave their pubic hair most commonly suffer from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a study published on Tuesday said. But a thesis that does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

According to a survey of about 7,500 people between the ages of 18 and 65 in the United States, participants who had depilated the genital region had a higher incidence of sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, syphilis, or chlamydia.

The results of the survey were adjusted to take into account differences in age and number of sexual partners of those surveyed, the report said in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Of the participants, 74% reported having shaved or depilated the pubic hair (84% women and 66% men). Researchers then established subcategories to divide people into those who depilated more than 11 times in a year, who did it almost daily or weekly and occasional supporters.

If the prevalence of STDs was 13% among study participants, the incidence was 8% among people who never epilated the region, while those who did it at least once had a 14% infection rate.

On the other hand, the adepts to the complete hair removal had an incidence of 18%. The research was based on an analysis conducted by the consultant GfK in January 2014. However, the authors of the article acknowledged that it is not possible to establish a cause-and-effect correlation between the two phenomena.

A "plausible" hypothesis to explain the relationship may be micro-cuts in the skin, which favor the entry of viruses and bacteria, the researchers said. Another possibility is that those who are adept at depilating their intimate regions tend to engage in risky sexual behavior, they added.

If this last cogitation is correct, one possibility may be to carry out prevention campaigns to alert people to expect their skin to heal from waxing before having sex, the authors said.

source : ibahia