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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not shave my armpits

114 replies

JesusSufferingFuck22 · 05/07/2021 13:53

I have armpits. They are hairy. Shaving causes massive irritation. Also I don’t have the energy to do them.
I have a doctors appointment today and they will be checking my breasts, under arm area as I’ve been getting some weird symptoms.
They won’t care that my pits are hairy will they?

OP posts:
userxx · 05/07/2021 14:19

@Thisisthemonth

how much energy does shaving your armpit really take.. Confused
Yep. How hairy are we talking here ?
Golden2021 · 05/07/2021 14:21

I think in this situation I would as it may allow the gp a better view of the area. That would be the only reason though.

nellly · 05/07/2021 14:25

Hmmm I think I would, not because they will care about the look but because I get worried about these things and would want to be certain they had a really clear view and could feel around, I wouldn't want to sit and wonder in days to come if they missed a lump under a lot of hair, they would have to very long for that to even be a possibility though! And to be honest they would probably have stuff with them to shave you if they needed a better look!

TheQueef · 05/07/2021 14:25

I don't shave, haven't for years and the GP has never been registered.
They are interested in anatomy not some bizarre social ritual.

toolazytothinkofausername · 05/07/2021 14:25

I stopped shaving my armpits a few years ago.

Original poster
JesusSufferingFuck22 · 05/07/2021 14:30

@Flamingdingus
Pit kittens Grin never heard that one before. Love it!
I’m sure it’ll be fine. Just one of those things that are better getting checked and to confirm it’s probably just my peri menopausal symptoms.

OP posts:
Carrotgarrotte · 05/07/2021 14:31

I’m sure your hairy armpits will provide welcome respite from the bulging haemorrhoids, stinky UTI wee, pus-filled leg ulcers and abnormal discharge your GP will have probably seen today

1940s · 05/07/2021 14:32

The last place I care about my body hair is the Drs! They see boils and scabs and terrible smells. My body hair is probably the least offensive thing they've ever come across

LadyJaye · 05/07/2021 14:33

Pit kittens - I love it! Grin

I embrace the pit kittens.

Original poster
JesusSufferingFuck22 · 05/07/2021 14:34

@BrownEyedSquirrel
I’m a bit self conscious but probably not enough to do anything about it really. I don’t proudly parade my pits on summer days. Same as I don’t wear shorts. I just wish more people did….then I would too!

OP posts:
parttimedrifter · 05/07/2021 14:34

I only shave when I feel like it. I’m sure a doctor wouldn’t care!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 05/07/2021 14:36

I’m sure the GP must know that female humans grow hair in their armpits. I don’t expect they will keel over from shock.

BrownEyedSquirrel · 05/07/2021 14:42

Right there with you OP. I stopped having during lockdown and it was great. Would happily continue to be hairy if I didn't feel so judged.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/07/2021 14:46

You're only self concious because of societal expectations of women. Very few men have ever asked such a question.

GalesThisMorning · 05/07/2021 14:49

I haven't shaved my armpits since before the pandemic. I may never shave them again. It's great. I highly recommend it

Einszwei · 05/07/2021 14:51

Many of my friends do not shave (I switch it up every couple of months). It is becoming more and more popular not to within the younger generation. Why should we have to?

My grandma however thinks it is committing a mortal sin... Grin

moonbedazzled · 05/07/2021 14:58
  1. You don't have to shave.
  2. The gp will notice.
  3. The gp will not say anything.
  4. If you're self-conscious, put some talc under your arm and dry shave. V little effort.
  5. With the time and effort you have taken to write your different posts, you could have shaved and not been self-conscious.
Blossomtoes · 05/07/2021 15:00

@Einszwei

Many of my friends do not shave (I switch it up every couple of months). It is becoming more and more popular not to within the younger generation. Why should we have to?

My grandma however thinks it is committing a mortal sin... Grin

Is it? It’s really good news that younger people aren’t doing it. I’ve done it all my adult life and really resented it.
GalesThisMorning · 05/07/2021 15:02

@moonbedazzled

  1. With the time and effort OP took to write her thread and read the response she could have begun to think about why a woman feels self conscious about not shaving her armpits.
  2. With a little more time and effort she may come to the realisation that her comfort is more important than society's norms around her body hair
  3. It may have wound up being a good use of time, after all
grey12 · 05/07/2021 15:04

You're fine as long as you wash very well before your appointment.

Personally I prefer no hair and for DH as well actually!! Grin he prefers it too

helpfulperson · 05/07/2021 15:04

If they haven't been shaved for a while (like mine) then it would take more than 'a couple of strokes on each side'

Even in the very unlikely event the doctor thinks 'gosh, I haven't seen foliage like that in a long time' I presume they would be too polite to mention it.

It's good to hear from so many fellow non savers and that it's becoming popular.

TheQueef · 05/07/2021 15:04

It's widely accepted that women only started shaving when Gillette ™ told women to shave, to sell razors.
About 100 years ago, it's about time it fell out of fashion!

igelkott2021 · 05/07/2021 15:06

I hate hairy armpits, I have shaved under my arms since the very first hair appeared.

But it's nobody else's business what you do OP, only yours. If it irritates and takes too much time, don't bother.

Duckypoohs · 05/07/2021 15:17

I didn't bother when I went to the Dr's for the same thing, the same thought crossed my mind too. I only have about spindly little hairs though, oddly jealous of the pit kittens Grin

CupOfTPlease · 05/07/2021 15:24

No they won't care.

I personally have to have mine as they'd be longer than DP's Grin. For whatever weird reason he doesn't have much armpit hair... maybe he shaves them too 🤔.