Shaving

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2006
Shaving
10
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 10:08am
Let me start by saying that I am in a monogomous relationship with the same man for over a year now. We are both free of any diseases. I began shaving down there a couple of months ago just for a little surprise for him because I knew he would enjoy it. It turns out that I enjoyed it just as much and have been shaving ever since and am considering getting a brazilian so there is less maintenance. I went to the gyn this morning and she told me that she recomended letting the hair grow back because it can cause several health issues such as an increased chance for infection and STDs. I am not concerned about the STD issue because I know that I am not at risk but the infection kind of concerned me. Has anyone here had any problems with shaving or waxing and infections? Thanks for any input. I really dont want to let it grow back but if it is going to cause health problems then I will. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2006
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 10:21am

I suppose it's possible to cut yourself and get an infection. Beyond that, I can't imagine how shaving would cause any kind of infection.

Personally, I don't see any advantage to shaving, and it's a lot of work to keep it up, but it's a personal choice. If you like it, do it. Millions of women do since it's become a fad, and nothing has ever been publicized about infections, or STD's. There's no way having pubic hair will prevent an STD if your partner has one!

Whoever "she" is at the gym, she's not a doctor, and if you want a legitimate opinion, check with your doctor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 10:33am

I'm not sure why your gyn told you that. I have never heard of anyone having problems with infection, and I don't really see how it would prevent STDs. Perhaps that particular doctor has a personal issue with shaving. That's just my opinion, obviously as a gyn, the doctor knows more than I do!

The only thing I could imagine causing an infection is a dirty razor or a cut. The Brazilian wax would alleviate all of that. I've never had one (I just trim my hair close), but I would make sure you have it done at a reputable salon.

I know a lot of people shave and get waxed, so hopefully some of them will stop by and offer their opinion too. I'm thinking you were probably shocked at the gyn office when you were told that, but you can also call the gyn and ask more questions, like why it would cause either of those things.

If you find out more detail, I hope you'll share it with us here.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2007
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 2:35pm
I think she siad GYN instead of gym and she did get a legitimate answer!
~ Emily ~
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2006
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 3:23pm
Sorry, I read gyn wrong, thought it was gym. I still don't see how shaving would increase your chance of getting STD's, unless she meant that if you had an open cut from shaving, the bacteria or virus could enter your system thru the cut. A wax should eliminate that possibility!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2006
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 6:17pm
Thanks everyone for your replies. I called my doctor this afternoon and she told me that the hair provides a barrier for the diseases and that she strongly discourages shaving or trimming of any sort. It seems to me that she does not like shaving for one reason or another and this is the reason she is discouraging it. I was told that it is a fad but xtremely bad for my health. She was somewhat rude to me on the phone and I am actually considering not going back to her. When I told her that STDs were not a concern for me due to the status of my relationship she told me that many men lie to girls about diseases they might have and I should not trust my boyfriend when he tells me he has no diseases. My appointment was with a dr at the student health clinic at school so I guess she is used to seeing a lot of STDs but I still feel that her comments were uncalled for and she crossed a boundry when telling me that I should not trust my boyfriend. I am definitely going to make an effort to not go back to the same person. Thanks for the advice and opportunity to vent. lol
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2007
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 6:41pm
That seems highly, highly unprofessional of her to say. I love having it shaved (actually, in my case, waxed). I would never, ever go back. It looks awesome when it's in use. It doesn't get infected or whatever, that's just crazy talk.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2006
In reply to: gal_jen19
Tue, 05-01-2007 - 8:04pm
I think she was definitely out of line to say something like that to you. I worked at a hospital for over 25 years, with many gyn, primary care and emergency department doctors. Never heard or seen any complaints of that nature come through. Me personally, I've never had a problem shaving. Just be careful you don't cut yourself.



28999825.jpg picture by nhgal2006

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2007
In reply to: gal_jen19
Wed, 05-02-2007 - 3:19am
It sounds like she has an issue, because I have never heard of that... the only thing I can think of is if you had an open sore from cutting yourself (in which case you would be at a higher risk for contracting STDs. The only negative effects I have heard of are pain/itching sometimes associated with hair removal (shaving, waxing, etc.) and ingrown hairs. Check out this site which has a whole article about "The Hair Down There": http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/?article=teensex&refid=016 As far as your boyfriend goes, if you have both been tested and are clean, then I think she was out of line insisting otherwise - the key is to be tested (because many people don't have symptoms of STDs and therefore don't know they have one) and to trust you partner (which it sounds like you do)! Definitely try to get a different gyno next time... If I were you I would be tempted to file a complaint against her!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2005
In reply to: gal_jen19
Fri, 05-04-2007 - 8:42pm
I've never had any problems, nor heard of any concerns, but DH was reading in one of his health magazines about infections that can occur in guys who shave their scrotums. Don't know if this is urban legend or truth associated with cuts from infections.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-08-2004
In reply to: gal_jen19
Fri, 05-04-2007 - 9:34pm

I've been shaving it all

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