Am I the only woman in the Western world who doesn't wax their fanny?

[Wordsmith]

That's it really. Just reading the thread about a woman debating whether to wax and have a manicure before giving birth and there were loads of responses on the subject of nails but hardly anyone saying "For the love of God, woman, why would you choose to deforest your fanjo before it resembles a war zone?". Since when has denuding your lady garden been a mainstream activity and not something confined to sexploitation movies?

Waxed here, also, not a porn star. I exercise a lot, do a lot of swimming etc it just feels cleaner and more hygienic. Also sex feels much nicer when there's no big hairy bush in the way (for me personally, put down your pitchforks)
Strangely enough I don't find waxing hurts at all, after a few races the hair grows back much finer anyway making waxing very quick and easy, for a hot wax I'm in and out in 15 minutes.

No. Waxing hurts. Not happening. Even if I did think it necessary.

Pain for looks should have gone out with footbinding.

Nope, DH trims mine with his electric shaver. Have never seen the appeal of waxing, mainly because I'm a wimp.

. I think these threads create some of the most judgemental comments from mums netters. Why does it matter what people do? I struggle to understand why this preference offends so many people.

It's something to do with having body hair and then because it becomes the socially acceptable to do, you "have" to remove it ( armpit hair anyone).The fact that every high street offers a bikini wax now implies this is happening with pubic hair. Increasingly women now have to tweak most of their body for this reason. Rather than embracing the differences women have a whole list of requirements necessary to be " a woman"

. I think these threads create some of the most judgemental comments from mums netters. Why does it matter what people do? I struggle to understand why this preference offends so many people.

It's something to do with having body hair and then because it becomes the socially acceptable to do, you "have" to remove it ( armpit hair anyone).The fact that every high street offers a bikini wax now implies this is happening with pubic hair. Increasingly women now have to tweak most of their body for this reason. Rather than embracing the differences women have a whole list of requirements necessary to be " a woman"

No! And I don't shave my legs!!

Nope. I trim mine but never had it waxed. Never had my legs waxed either for that matter (though do shave them).

Nah!! Wax my shins once a year, then get bored.

I don't. I'm late 20s, and my friends around my age don't either. One has a regular bikini wax (edges only) and the others do nothing, or use cream/shave for holidays etc.

I really don't think it's as ubiquitous as it's made out to be. None of my many partners has ever commented either wouldn't dare

Dreadful idea. It's a bit patronising to suggest that those of who do wax are so easily lead. My point was that it's a decision that any grown woman can Make for herself. I'm not judging those that don't, so don't judge me. The suggestions that it is tantamount to being a porn star are patronising and as usual for Mumsnet judgemental!

I had the sides lasered years ago, and trim the rest with dh's beard trimmer if it starts catching knickers or panty liners.

Quite a lot of my friends, my age, say they get rid of all of it. We're all late 30's / early 40's. I prefer mine as it is, and so does DH.

When I was at my most promiscuous I had a full on bush. That was in around 1998-2000. Never once did a bloke comment on it. Maybe porn has changed since then....

This subject tickled me so much so I laughed out loud and hubby asked what was so funny! I could think of nothing worse than having a full bush I trim everything! (only my personal preference of course) sometimes I threaten to go retro but he wouldn't like it! Each to their own though ladies. X

I don't. I have no intention of paying a total stranger to traumatise my bits with hot wax whilst I display my flaps and bum crack in a variety of awkward positions. It's just not my idea of a good time. I know lots of people swear by it and obviously they don't find it humiliating, but I couldn't do it.

I'm a waxer (the full Hollywood!) but that's just my personal preference- I've experimented with full bush, short back and sides and Brazilian. The clincher for the Hollywood for me was when my landing strip started to go grey. I wasn't having that!

I hated having my bikini line waxed. I used to have it done quite frequently, but now just use an electric bikini trimmer thing instead. It's painless and some random woman doesn't have to get up close and personal with my fanjo, which I never liked. Plus, it's free now I have the trimmer, which cost less to buy than a decent bikini wax. I don't get ingrowing hairs either which I occasionally did with waxing. I don't know why I bothered with the waxing now tbh.

Waxing before giving birth is a different thing to waxing generally.

I was advised by friends that when you are in labour, the nurse will shave you so the area is hair free for medical reasons - hygeniene, visibility and in case they need to stitch.

As one friend put it to me (advising pre-birth waxing), " would you rather have your hair removed privately - waxed by a trusted trained beautician in your usual salon or an untrained hair removing nurse coming at you with a disposable Bic razor?"

Never my fadge, but am 47.

NameChangedddd shaving before labour went out as a rule in about ?1990 when evidence showed that it increased infection risk.

I used to feel feminist about all hair removal but have been well trained out of that by MN. Having had some waxing done twice many years ago (of lip, cheeks, throat, legs, underarms and feet - I have PCOS), my main objections are pain and cost, any one of which are too much to allow me to bother. Since the cost is so high, realistically it can't be as widespread as all that.

"when you are in labour, the nurse will shave you"

Jeeze! Not in my experience! I've never heard of this. Does this really happen?

Aha thanks annandale.

I shave. Legs, armpits, fadge. The lot.just don't like body hair!!!

They didn't shave me when I gave birth! I think it used to happen.

the nurse will shave you so the area is hair free for medical reasons - hygeniene, visibility and in case they need to stitch.

The current best practice is not to shave. It increases the risk of infection, as already mentioned. It is more "hygienic" not to shave or remove hair.

That, of course, doesn't mean all hospitals and hcp's have updated their practices, many still stick to how they've always done it, despite evidence to the contrary.

I have had two sections, one emcs, one elcs, at a teaching hospital which has carried out research into post birth infection. I was advised no hair removal, and wasn't shaved for either section.

I think it depends where you are.

Friend who gave previous advice in strong terms last gave birth 5 years ago. She said a nurse was coming at her with a Bic razor and she was relieved to be able to say she'd had a wax (based on previous experience).

I wasn't shaved (about 8 yrs ago), but I think my mum was when giving birth to me, about 40 yrs ago, but not with my younger siblings. So I thought shaving by the midwife was very old-fashioned?

I don't. Used to ave a "light" bikini wax maybe once a year before a holiday but more recently it's enough to tidy up with Veet.

For all those who do, how can it not hurt?!

I understand how the main front bit (moms pubis) would be ok, but what about the hairs on the labia (lips) part? Surely that must hurt like hell? And then all the bits between your vulva and anus? Sorry for TMI but I've always wondered...