Yes, it's very common and normal for older women to experience thinning and graying of pubic hair due to declining estrogen levels and hormonal shifts after menopause, leading to sparser, lighter hair, though it usually doesn't disappear completely. This is part of the natural aging process, similar to hair on the head, and reflects changes in hormones and melanin production.
Pubic hair growth begins at the onset of puberty when estrogen and progesterone levels increase. After menopause, when estrogen levels decline, pubic hair - along with the hair on the head - stops growing. Not everyone will experience pubic hair loss after menopause, it may simply turn grey or simply thin.
Changes to Your Pubic Hair
This may result in a loss of pubic hair so that your pubic hair becomes thinner and more sparse. Similarly, just as the hair on your head becomes grey with time so may your pubic hair because of a reduction in the amount of melatonin or pigment in the hair follicles.
As we age, some pubic hair thinning, or loss, is normal. However, certain conditions like alopecia or an adrenal issue can also cause hair loss. If you have any concerns, it's best to contact your Axia Women's Health provider.
Yes, as people age, it's common for body hair, including pubic hair, to turn gray. This change occurs due to a decrease in melanin production in the hair follicles. Just like scalp hair, body hair can lose its pigment over time, leading to graying.
As an ob-gyn, I want you to know that pubic hair is normal. Whether to groom or let it grow is your choice—no one else's. And there is no reason to apologize about your pubic hair, to your ob-gyn or anyone else.
No Shaving, No Problem
The good news is, if you never shave your pubic hair, nothing drastic happens. Pubic hair grows to a certain length and then stops, so you're not going to end up with a never-ending forest. In fact, going without shaving can reduce the risk of skin irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs.
In addition to the termination of hair growth at a certain length, armpit hair also stops growing after a certain age which is in your 50s in most cases.
All body hair that sprouts during puberty—think hair on your underarms, genitals, and chest hair on guys—is controlled by hormones. Since our estrogen levels drop as we reach middle to later age, body hair growth corresponds by becoming sparser and thinner, too.
Let me introduce: Full bush in a bikini. Those words—repeated over and over again with varying emphasis—were trending on TikTok in January 2025, in what could have been the app's final days. It began with a video by artist Sujindah that has been viewed more than 14 million times.
Thinning hair is common as we age. And while the signs might not be as obvious as in men, about 55% of women experience some hair loss by the time they're 70. Treatments to prevent or stop it can help many women who are losing their hair.
Removing pubic hair is not necessary to keep the vulva or vaginal area clean. Pubic hair can help protect the skin and prevent chafing. Hair removal is a personal preference. Some people do not remove any of their pubic hair, and others may remove only the hair that grows outside of the bikini line.
Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur. Studies have even proven that low levels of vitamin D are also responsible for premature graying. Diagnosing vitamin D deficiency involves a simple blood test to check levels.
Pubic hair doesn't really follow any rule books. Some girls don't have much, others have a lot and — I assure you — many of us deal with the unruly pubic hair that likes to spread to the legs. The growth isn't related to your shaving. More likely, it's just that you're getting older.
The typical course of hair loss takes between 15 and 25 years to play out, progressing through the Norwood stages of hair loss until only hair at the back of the head and above the ears remains. Exceptions do exist, and some men may find that hair loss slows around the age of 35.
You're not imagining things; leg hair changes as you age. As we age, hormone levels like estrogen and testosterone shift, slowing down hair growth cycles. It's part of the body's natural evolution, just like getting wrinkles or gray hair. But here's the surprise: your hair isn't necessarily gone forever.
Main Causes of White Pubic Hair
As people age, melanin production declines or stops entirely, leading to graying or whitening of hair, including pubic hair. Graying can occur at different ages, influenced by genetics. Some may notice gray hair in their 30s or 40s, while others experience it in their teens or 20s.
Most girls begin thinking about underarm hair between 11 and 14, when body hair naturally becomes more visible. Some shave earlier, some later, and some choose not to shave at all. All of these are normal.
Pubic area
Loss of pubic hair may indicate low testosterone, low estrogen, imbalanced DHT, or combinations of hormone fluctuations. This type of hair loss commonly occurs with age. Yet, if it happens suddenly or severely, it may signal another underlying condition and should be evaluated.
Yes, it is normal to have a lot of hair around your vagina. Hair on the vulva and around the scrotum is normal. Everyone has pubic hair around their genitals, and it starts growing during puberty. Pubic hair helps prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the vagina.
Gen Z's approach to pubic hair is diverse, with a growing trend of embracing natural body hair, challenging older norms, but many still prefer some form of grooming like trimming over complete removal, with personal preference and comfort being key drivers, influenced heavily by social media trends. While some opt for "au naturel" looks, many in Gen Z trim for a "bikini-shaped bush," balancing naturalness with neatness, and views vary significantly, with TikTok promoting both naturalness and styling.
If you've spotted a few unwanted hairs and are grabbing for your razor, you might want to think twice.
The Full Moon is a newer style that's been growing in popularity over the past year or two. The look entails removing the hair from the sides, top, and back while grooming and waxing the hair at the front of the pubic mound into a circle using a stencil and high-precision waxing techniques.
No, you don't need to shave or wax. However, if there's something going on with your skin, shaving or waxing will make it easier for your physician to evaluate the area.