Anecdotal experience in our clinic suggests a recent reduction in cases of pubic lice despite increased patient numbers and increasing prevalence rates of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Also, in recent years we have seen an increasing number of patients who have undergone extensive pubic hair removal procedures, such as the “Brazilian.” Could there be an association between the rates of pubic lice and the introduction of pubic hair removal practices? We have looked at the prevalence rates of pubic lice in relation to hair removal practices and, for comparison, also looked at the rates of gonorrhoea and chlamydia over the same period.

Annual cases of pubic lice, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea diagnosed at the Department of Genitourinary Medicine, …