The fleshy, rounded area above the vagina is called the mons pubis (sometimes shortened to “the mons”). It’s a pad of fatty tissue that sits directly over the pubic bone, covered by skin and, after puberty, pubic hair. The mons pubis is part of the vulva, which is the name for all the external genitalia.
What the Mons Pubis Actually Is
The mons pubis is a triangular mound of fatty tissue that extends from the top of the pubic bone up to where it meets the lower abdomen. Underneath the skin, it’s made up almost entirely of a thick cushion of fat. That fat layer serves as padding over the pubic bone, which matters during physical activity and sexual contact.
The skin covering the mons is rich in touch receptors but has relatively few pressure receptors, making it more sensitive to light touch than to deep pressure. Two nerves supply sensation to the area: one that also serves the lower abdomen and another that extends to the inner thigh and outer labia. This nerve supply is why the mons can be a sensitive area for many people.
Mons Pubis vs. Vulva vs. Vagina
People often use “vagina” to refer to everything between the legs, but that’s not quite right. The vagina is an internal canal that connects the vulva to the cervix and uterus. You can’t see it from the outside. The vulva is the correct term for the entire external area, and it includes the mons pubis, the labia (inner and outer lips), the clitoris, the urethral opening, and the vaginal opening.
So when someone points to the mound above and says “that part of the vagina,” they’re actually pointing at the mons pubis, which is part of the vulva. Planned Parenthood puts it simply: the mons is the fleshy mound above your vulva.
How It Changes During Puberty
Before puberty, the mons pubis is smooth and relatively flat. As puberty begins, it’s one of the first areas where changes become visible. In girls, sparse hair appears along the labia first, then gradually fills in over the mons in a roughly triangular pattern. By late puberty, pubic hair is thick and coarse. In some people it extends toward the inner thighs or up toward the belly button, while others never develop hair beyond the central triangle. Both patterns are normal.
The fat pad itself also thickens during puberty in response to hormonal changes, giving the area its characteristic rounded shape. Later in life, hormonal shifts during menopause, weight changes, or aging can cause the mons to gain or lose volume.
Common Skin Issues in This Area
Because the mons pubis is covered in coarse hair and often enclosed in tight clothing, it’s prone to a few skin problems. The most common is folliculitis, an inflammation or infection of hair follicles that looks like small red bumps or whiteheads. Shaving, waxing, and tight clothing all increase the risk by damaging or irritating hair follicles.
Ingrown hairs are especially common here. Curly hair is more likely to curl back into the skin after shaving, creating painful, inflamed bumps sometimes called razor bumps. People who get bikini waxes are particularly prone to this in the groin area. If you’re dealing with recurring irritation, trimming with scissors rather than shaving or waxing can reduce the problem significantly.
Keeping the Area Healthy
The skin on and around the mons pubis is more sensitive than skin elsewhere on your body, so it benefits from a gentle approach. Dermatological guidelines from the University of Iowa recommend washing external genital skin with warm water only, not applying soap directly to the vulvar area. If you do use soap nearby, stick to fragrance-free options designed for sensitive skin.
A few other practical tips worth knowing:
- Skip scented products. Perfumed lotions, bath salts, bubble bath, and scented oils can irritate the skin. Even products labeled “gentle” or “mild” may contain fragrances.
- Choose unscented, plain toilet paper. Avoid varieties with aloe or those marketed as ultra-soft or ultra-strong.
- Be cautious with hair removal. If shaving causes irritation, chemical hair removal products (depilatories) are an option, though they can also irritate sensitive skin. Trimming is the least irritating method.
- Wear breathable underwear. Cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics reduce trapped moisture, which helps prevent folliculitis and yeast overgrowth.
When the Mons Pubis Causes Discomfort
For some people, the size of the mons pubis becomes a functional issue rather than just a cosmetic concern. Excess tissue or skin can hang over the genitals, making hygiene difficult and creating skin folds that trap moisture, leading to rashes or recurring infections. In more pronounced cases, a large mons pubis can interfere with urination or make sexual activity uncomfortable.
A surgical option called monsplasty (also known as a pubic lift) exists for these situations. The procedure lifts, tightens, and reshapes the tissue of the mons. It’s considered cosmetic surgery, but for people who are dealing with chronic rashes, difficulty cleaning the area, or physical interference with daily activities, it addresses real quality-of-life issues. Significant weight loss is one of the more common reasons people develop excess skin in this area.