I'd like to submit a theory about the point of pubic hair ? it acts as a type of buffer to reduce direct contact, and therefore friction, both during intercourse, and other activities as well, i.e., walking, running, etc. The same theory may hold true for underarm hair ? it acts to reduce friction as well. This could also possibly explain the presence of stomach and chest hair on men ? stemming from a time many thousands of years ago, when intercourse would have been primarily from behind, and the male's stomach/chest would have been in contact with the female's back.

An amateur "hair"storian

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(2)
Alice,

In regards to pubic hair, I heard another theory that comes close to the pheromone theory. Pubes reduce friction during sex. Better to have those hairs rubbing against each other than bare skin apparently. What do you think? Nick

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(3)
re: WHAT'S THE POINT OF PUBIC HAIR?

Dear Alice,

I have read in a few different places over the years that pubic hair develops during puberty to act as a lubricant to prevent chafing during coitus.

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(4)
alice,

anecdotally (sp?), once out of frustration, i decided to shave some pubic hair near my labia. to my dismay, everything down there stayed wetter a lot longer than preferable. so, even just the pubic hair around that area serves to prevent some places from getting too moist!

been there, shaved that.

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(5)
Hey Alice,

I saw your response to a reader's question regarding why humans have pubic hair. It started by describing the question as one of the great mysteries (do not quote me) of human physiology.

Aside from the reason given (scents, etc.), does not having (and displaying) pubic hair have a far more subtle role in the realm of sex?

Assuming man is naked, having pubic hair would be a way of announcing the person is of age (for sex). All with this "annoucement" comes the display (advertisement) that the person is healthy. And assuming competition for a mate, where numbers of males and females are out of balance, would not pubic hair be (either consciously or unconsciously) a way to choose one (a mate)?

An interesting experiment (do you have an in at the University?) might be to have an experiment where students would watch videos of potential mates (or dates), and then have them select "the one." Then, have the same students go through the experiment again and at the end, see the potential candidate (and I understand this would be highly controversial) naked. And then see if the sight of how a person looked naked (some with pubic hair, others without) might play a role in who (and how) a person makes his choice.

For this to work, of course, a Columbia student should be seeing (on the tape) persons from a completely different part of the country so as someone could not be sought out. And, assurances regarding anonymity have to be steadfastly honored. But given the relatively uninhibited nature of people today (as opposed to even half a generation ago), it is an experiment that might fly.

No, I disagree with you in saying pubic hair plays no (or only a slight) role in human physiology.

There is always the possibility modern man maintained pubic hair as a source of warmth and protection, as well.

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(6)
Alice,

I like the theory of the pubic hair preventing dirt and bacteria from entering the vagina, and the reason men do not have any around the opening of their penis is because men are born with foreskin. We invented circumcision just like we invented shaving off our hair.