Shave or not to shave? I’m as nature intended. Do you go Brazilian, have a landing strip or let it all hang out.

I don't think age has anything to do with it, whatever you think amounts to good grooming ( on or off) is important for self esteem. Anyway, if you want to please a partner why not?

All off. Purely because it feels better.

Neatly trimmed!

This is all becoming a bit much for me possibly tmi really but quite amusing!

When younger and often swimming and/or sunbathing, I always kept mine neatly trimmed. Since I don't do either now (though I should go swimming for the exercise!), everything left "au naturel".

Have to laugh at all of this. Do what makes you feel good. BUT, I agree, if a man insists a woman do this he should go first.

This thread has been very fun to read, Lots of laughs.

I keep it trimmed along the sides, as I didn't want to do an impersonation of one of those fancy tailed goldfish, everything flowing out round me in the swimming pool!

Nothing looks worse than hairy bits poking out from the sides of your cossie.
I would be dead embarrassed walking around the pool like that.
I’m not a fan of shaving or waxing, and only do it if I go swimming.

Greciangirl, I could list many things that look worse than hairy bits poking out from the sides of your Cassie. Why on earth would you be 'dead embarrassed' walking around the pool like that?

Men who shave their faces need to do it every day. The thought of either having to do THAT down below every day or being all stubbly - does that REALLY please a partner? - makes the question a no-brainer for me. It was only about 20 years ago that I even heard that "most" (?) women shave their pubes. I suppose if we grew up believing that was the norm, most of us would assume it was disgusting not to. Armpits, yes, because you're less likely to get BO. But surely a nice thick springy curly bush is nicer to touch than a load of stubble?

I’m with you Greciangirl - I’d definitely do a double take if I saw pubes poking out of the side of a swimming costume or trunks. A bit of a trim looks better imo.

Not only is itchy regrowth not particularly attractive looking, waxing is less hygienic apparently and makes you more prone to infection m.health24.com/Medical/Vaginal-health/News/5-things-you-should-know-before-going-for-a-bikini-wax-20181116 <- not envy

I would like to let it all hang out but I'm afraid it's disappeared.

Nicely trimmed but nothing more than that after the trauma of having acute appendicitis aged 15.
The student nurse who shaved me pre -op had been to my school - and recognised me! Oh the horror for this shy teenager! I felt so vulnerable “naked” and the itching afterwards was unbearable.

I wish it was!

Meant to say I wish it was just grandmas on here

Thank you for all the smiles today. I have always just had a small near bush and no need for any trimming to be bikini or swimsuit ready. In fact it's hearttshaoed due to the surgeon cutting vertically instead of horizontally for my hysterectomy many years ago. With chemo last year I lost every hair on my body and except for the hair on my head plus my eyelashes and eyebrows would have been happy for it not to regrow. Unfortunately it has and has grown faster than the hair on my head.

I have to say I am offended by those conflating a "full monty" with paedophilia - look to your own dirty minds first! My DH has shaved it off for me (men are SO much better with razors than women) every so often over the years - when we have both fancied it. He doesn't care, if I don't want to shave then we don't. All I have to say is - if you have never tried it then don't knock it, it can enhance sex for both parties. My husband likes a mature curvy woman and the disgusting thoughts of some of you who equate a full shave to paedophilila - well, let's just say he is offended and so am I!!!

My friend had hers waxed and proceeded to describe the experience in great detail on the plane to Portugal last summer. The poor guy in the aisle seat didn't know where to put himself!

I’ve tried it Saetana - it didn’t enhance anything, it looked oddly hybrid on my adult woman’s and the itchy regrowth within a couple of days was anything but sexy. No need to be offended, all opinions are valid.

Nothing wrong with keeping your pubic hair neatly trimmed with an electric ladies trimmer made for just that purpose. It's just good grooming but a personal preference too. Once you start you just get used to it and feel a bit 'unkempt' if you leave it too long between trimmings. A bit like manicures and pedicures or getting your roots done, one you start it becomes a bit of a necessity. Not being high maintenance, I don't bother getting my nails done at a salon, just do it myself.

I too was shaved prior to the birth of both my children and it was very uncomfortable (and unnecessary it would appear now) and no soap or shaving gel used either. Not much dignity afforded to you giving birth in the 70's I'm afraid.

I haven’t seen the programme on the bush yet, but don’t expect anything new.
Although I said I let it all hang out, that’s not strictly true as I have ‘at home’ pubes and holiday pubes, when I trim the sides so no sideburns rounds my cossie? I saw an hysterical cabaret on holiday when one of the performers was sunbathing
In a bikini, legs wide open in a deckchair and two black wigs inserted to look like escaping pubic hair (I’m easily amused...)
Mary Beard is mistaken regarding pubic hair. Many paintings show pubic hair, but were kept private (what about Courbet’s amazing “Source of the world” and it’s magnificent black hair?
Can’t remember the exact title) Classical statues also had any extraneous detail removed and the penis shown as small so as not to be distracting. So that balances things out a bit!
Mary Beard needs pruning too, a good haircut and teeth seen to. How many people, men and women, would get a good tv contract and say What the hell regarding their appearance?
Haven’t seen the Beard programme so may modify my views.

Well. At nearly 73, I've certainly learned a few things today.

I watched the bush programme out of duty really, to try and keep up with today's world. What came across was the overwhelming influence of pornography on young people. Most young men won't accept pubic hair, so the girls have no choice but to remove it. They consider it very brave to actually let it grow and to do that is 'empowering' apparently.

I don't share your distaste for Mary Beard's appearance hollysteers.
Why should she conform to the expected norm. She is dynamic and makes her subject come alive, that's why she's been chosen.
I admire her for not getting "beautified" to fit expectations. She has had dreadful trolling for her appearance but thankfully also had lots of support.

Well said Greeneyedgirl. Mary Beard is so much more than being judged on appearance