Is it normal for my pubic hair to grow in patchy or change texture over time (like after switching birth control, getting stressed, or just aging into my 20s)?

Anatomy and Body BasicsExternal Genital Anatomy

1 Jan

Short version: yes, it’s very normal for pubic hair to look different over time. Pubic hair is controlled by hormones (especially androgens like testosterone), genetics, stress, and overall health. That means the density, curl pattern, thickness, and even where it grows can shift in your late teens and 20s, when your hormones and lifestyle are still settling.

Changes after starting or stopping birth control, going through a stressful period, losing/gaining weight, or changing meds are all common. What’s more important than “Did it change?” is “How did it change?” Sudden bald patches, pain, sores, intense itching, or hair loss in other areas (scalp, brows) are reasons to get checked. Otherwise, your “weird” growth pattern is probably just… your normal.

Want to rant about your hair doing the absolute most? You can always chat with Gush and talk through what your body’s been up to.

Is it normal for pubic hair to be patchy or change texture?

Pubic hair 101: what “normal” actually looks like

Pubic hair isn’t supposed to look like porn or airbrushed bikini ads. It’s supposed to look like a forest: uneven, wild, and doing its own thing.

Totally normal variations:

One side thicker than the other
Patchy spots where hair is finer or sparser
Mix of straight, wavy, and curly hairs
Color differences (some darker, some lighter or even reddish)

Each hair grows from a follicle that cycles through phases:

Anagen (growth): hair is actively growing
Catagen (transition): growth stops
Telogen (resting/shedding): hair falls out; follicle chills

Different follicles are in different phases at any given time. That’s why you’ll never have a perfectly uniform “carpet” of hair — and why patchiness can come and go.

How hormones in your teens and 20s reshape pubic hair

Pubic hair is very hormone-sensitive, especially to androgens (testosterone and friends). Here’s the rough timeline:

Puberty: Androgens spike, and you start getting pubic hair. It usually spreads out and thickens over several years, often into your early 20s.
Late teens to mid-20s: Hormones are still finding their baseline. Periods may still be regulating, and your hair can subtly change in thickness, pattern, and coverage.

Your menstrual cycle also affects how your pubic area feels, even if the hair itself isn’t changing that fast:

Menstrual phase (bleeding): More moisture, friction from pads/tampons. Hair and skin can feel irritated or “messier.”
Follicular phase (after period, estrogen rising): Skin is usually calmer, less inflamed. If you’re paying attention, hair may feel softer because skin is less dry.
Ovulation (estrogen peak): Oil production can increase slightly — hair may feel a bit slicker.
Luteal phase (PMS, progesterone high): More sweating, bloating, chafing. Hair isn’t different, but the whole area can feel swampy, which makes you hyper-aware of it.

Then add birth control to the mix:

Combined pill/patch/ring (estrogen + progestin): Often lowers free testosterone. Pubic hair can become a bit finer, sparser, or softer over months.
Progestin-only methods (mini-pill, implant, shot, some IUDs): Can go either way. Some people notice thicker body hair; others notice thinning.
Coming off birth control: Your natural hormones “wake up.” Temporary shedding, new growth patterns, or changes in thickness are very common for 3–12 months.

If your pubic hair changed after a BC switch, that tracks. Your follicles are literally responding to a new hormone environment.

Bodies don’t always follow the script. If your pubic hair changes feel way off from what you’re reading here, you can walk through your history, birth control, stress, and cycle with Gush and get a more tailored reality check.

Stress, nutrition, and life chaos: the silent hair influencers

Your hair doesn’t just care about estrogen and testosterone. It’s also watching:

Stress: High cortisol can push hair into the shedding phase (telogen effluvium). That can look like thinning, patchiness, or more hairs showing up in your underwear or shower.
Weight changes / under-eating: Your body prioritizes survival, not lush hair. Extreme dieting, disordered eating, or sudden weight loss can cause body hair changes.
Nutrient gaps: Low iron, low protein, and deficiencies (like B12 or vitamin D) can mess with hair quality all over — scalp and pubes included.
Medications: Some psych meds, steroids, and other drugs can change hair growth or loss.

The pattern is usually gradual: things look “thinner” or more scattered over months, not “I woke up and there’s a bald circle.” Sudden, defined patches are more concerning.

When changing pubic hair is a red flag

Time to get checked (primary care, gyn, or dermatologist) if you notice:

Sudden bald patch or perfectly round areas without hair
Red, white, or shiny skin changes where hair used to be
Intense itching, burning, or pain in the skin
Blisters, sores, or warty bumps
Hair loss elsewhere (scalp, brows, lashes) at the same time
New irregular periods, acne, or facial hair alongside pubic hair changes

What these might mean:

Alopecia areata: Autoimmune condition causing round bald patches (including pubic area).
Lichen sclerosus: Chronic vulvar skin disease causing thinning, white patches, and scarring; needs treatment.
STIs, fungal infections, or dermatitis: Often come with itching, redness, or sores.
Hormonal disorders (PCOS, thyroid issues, high prolactin): Usually also affect periods, weight, mood, or energy.

You’re not “dramatic” for wanting a professional to look at your vulva. That’s their literal job.

How to support your pubic hair while it changes

If your changes sound more like “annoying but probably normal,” here’s what you can do:

Loosen your grip on the fantasy of symmetry
Hair isn’t supposed to be perfectly even. Let some of the anxiety go — a lot of shame around pubic hair is just patriarchy cosplay.
Give the follicles a calm environment
- Avoid aggressive waxing or shaving for a bit if your skin is inflamed.
- Use gentle, fragrance-free products on the vulva (and only on the outside).
- Wear breathable cotton underwear; skip tight synthetic leggings for long stretches.
Track patterns with your cycle and BC
- Note when you started/stopped any birth control and mark hair changes.
- Notice whether things feel more irritated in your luteal/PMS week or during your period; that might be friction + moisture, not the hair itself.
Check the basics
- Eat actual meals with protein, fats, and iron-rich foods.
- Sleep like you mean it. Your body does repair work (including follicle maintenance) at night.
- If you suspect nutrient issues, that’s a lab-test-conversation with a provider.
Ask for real testing if you’re worried
If you’ve got pubic hair changes plus:
- Irregular or missing periods
- New chin hair or worsening acne
- Hair thinning on your scalp
…you can push for hormone labs (androgens, thyroid, prolactin) and a real discussion, not just “it’s in your head.”