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More women are grooming their pubic hair, and by doing so, experts say they could be increasing their risk of injury and potentially sexually transmitted infections.
Tidying the nether regions has become more commonplace, especially among younger white, and better educated women, a new study suggests.
But, the increasingly prevalent practice does not come without its pitfalls.
Experts in the field warn women could be at greater risk of shaving injury or STDs.
Dr Benjamin Breyer, an associate professor at the department of urology at UC San Francisco, said: 'This novel data source reflects just how prevalent is the practice of personal grooming.
'We believe grooming practices are also associated with personal injury and potentially sexually transmitted infection.
'We're analyzing these associations in the hope of finding risk factors that can be modified, such as instrument use.'
A total of 3,316 women aged between 18 and 65 participated in the study.
Researchers discovered nearly 84 per cent reported they had groomed.
In addition, the study, also focused on assessing the role of a woman's partner in her decision to groom down below.
Researchers - the first to examine the influence - found women were far more likely to groom if their partner was in favor of grooming.
And, furthermore, the findings suggest women groom for social events, including sex and vacations, but also when visiting a healthcare professional.
We believe grooming practices are also associated with personal injury and potentially sexually transmitted infection
Dr Benjamin Breyer, UC San Francisco
Dr Breyer said: 'Our study is important for healthcare professionals because grooming behaviors reflect cultural norms and it shows that women have diverse motivations that are not universal.'
His previous research has shown that waxing, shaving or clipping pubic hair can raise the risk of genitourinary injuries, the most common being lacerations, with some resulting in emergency department visits.
Lead author, Dr Tami Rowen, from the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF, said: 'The prevalence of pubic hair grooming in women is substantial in the 21st century.
'What is most apparent from the study is that women are grooming based on numerous external pressures that have likely increased over the last decade.'
The team of researchers identified striking demographic differences in their findings, which was conducted in January 2013.
Younger women were more inclined to groom, especially compared to women above the age of 55.
Furthermore, women with some college education, or a bachelor's degree were more likely to groom.
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