Aging causes changes across the entire body, and the hair that grows in the pubic region is no exception. It is common for people to notice a difference in their body hair density and quality over time, leading to questions about whether pubic hair loss is a predictable part of the aging process. This gradual reduction reflects underlying biological and hormonal shifts occurring throughout the adult lifespan. These changes are typically slow, commencing during middle age, and are closely tied to the body’s shifting endocrine function.
How Pubic Hair Changes with Age
The most noticeable change in pubic hair with advancing age is a progressive reduction in overall density. This thinning process usually begins in the late 40s or 50s, though the timeline varies significantly among individuals. The reduction in density is accompanied by changes in the physical qualities of individual hair strands.
The thick, coarse hair that characterizes the pubic region in younger adults gradually transforms into a finer, softer texture. The hair strands themselves become smaller in diameter and shorter in length. Furthermore, pubic hair loses its pigment over time, leading to graying or whitening.
This color change occurs because the hair follicles produce less melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. The overall rate of hair growth also slows down as part of this natural aging process. The combined effect of reduced pigment, decreased density, and finer texture makes the hair appear significantly sparser and less prominent over time.
The Endocrine System and Hair Follicle Cycles
The primary biological driver behind the loss of pubic hair is the gradual decline in sex hormones produced by the endocrine system. Pubic hair is classified as androgen-dependent hair, meaning its development and maintenance rely heavily on the presence of androgens, such as testosterone and its derivatives, as well as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
As people age, the production of these hormones decreases significantly. Men experience a slow decline in testosterone levels, often losing about one percent annually after age 40. Simultaneously, women going through menopause experience a sharp reduction in both estrogen and progesterone levels, which profoundly impacts hair follicles.
These hormones regulate the hair growth cycle, which consists of the anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting) phases. Estrogens are known to extend the anagen phase, promoting longer, thicker hair. The duration of the anagen phase is much shorter in pubic hair than in scalp hair, making it more susceptible to hormonal fluctuations.
When sex hormone levels fall, the hair follicles in the pubic region respond by shortening the anagen phase and prolonging the telogen phase. This shift disrupts the normal cycle, causing the follicle to spend less time actively growing hair. Over successive cycles, the hair follicle undergoes involutional miniaturization, where the dermal papilla shrinks in size. This results in the production of thinner, shorter hairs that are eventually shed and sometimes not replaced, leading to the noticeable reduction in density associated with aging.
Why This Differs From Scalp Hair Loss
The age-related thinning of pubic hair must be distinguished from the pattern baldness that affects the scalp. While both conditions are influenced by hormones, the underlying mechanisms and follicular responses are fundamentally different. Scalp hair follicles prone to pattern baldness are genetically predisposed to become hypersensitive to a potent androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
In scalp hair loss, high levels of DHT cause the follicles to prematurely shrink, or miniaturize, leading to a localized balding pattern. Conversely, the loss of pubic hair is primarily a result of the general, systemic decline in circulating sex hormones, including testosterone, DHEA, and estrogen, throughout the body.
The hair follicles in the pubic area are programmed to rely on a high concentration of these hormones for maintenance. When the general hormonal environment shifts downward with age, these follicles simply reduce production and eventually stop functioning. This difference in follicular programming explains why pubic hair undergoes a slower, more diffuse thinning due to hormonal withdrawal, unlike the rapid loss seen in DHT sensitivity.