• Question: why do boys get hairy genitles

    Asked by nigel from mars to Amy, Craig, Laura, Partha, Saffron on 16 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Amy Cameron

      Amy Cameron answered on 16 Jun 2015:

      Both boys and girls develop hair in the pubic region at puberty. This is determined by the level of androgens (mainly testosterone and its derivatives) a person has. There are a number of conflicting ideas as to why we develop hair in this area – for warmth, to provide cushioning during intercourse, to act as a signal of sexual maturity etc.

    • Photo: Laura Wales

      Laura Wales answered on 17 Jun 2015:

      There doesn’t seem to be any definite answer. Different views are:
      – To trap pheromones
      – Protection of the delicate tissues in this area
      – Warmth (evolution from hairy apes)

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