Here's why your razor could be blamed for an STI

Byline: Angeli Kakade

Maintaining grooming standards south of the border isn't something men and women discuss openly, it's just something both sexes just do in order to keep clean for their partners. But a new study suggests a link between pubic hair grooming and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

In a study published in the Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections, researchers say the relationship isn't far fetched because razors and shavers cause epidermal micro tears which may be penetrable by bacterial or viral STIs

For the study, 7,580 Americans ages 18-65 were surveyed about their grooming habits, sexual behavior and STI history. 74% of those surveyed reported to grooming their public hair in the past.

High frequency grooming was defined by daily or weekly hair removal while extreme grooming meant going bare more than 11 times a year.

The study showed extreme groomers were almost 4 times more likely to report having an STI than those who didn't groom at all.

While the researchers admit more studies are needed, the current findings suggest an opening for discussion regarding sexual risk education for groomers is needed.

Scroll through to see what STDs look like under the microscope:

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