What Causes Thick Hair Growth In Perineum?

Posted on Wed, 11 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 Answered on

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there, i would like to find out more on androgens impact on hair.

At age 14, i noticed a 'different' kind of thick single hair in my perineum. A few weeks later i had a big growth spurt so i think i mustve reached stage 3 puberty. I know at stage 4-5 we get 'adult type' hair in the pubic area...but does perineum hair also change its type as stage 4 and 5 are reached? Or the first one seen by me at 14 remains the same type forever?

My question:

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
perineum hair also changes

Detailed Answer:
Hello
The hair of perineum is also under androgen control and becomes thick curley and dark ad you reach puberty.
Both axillary and perineal hairs as well as facial hairs are going to change and will remain same for life.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (41 minutes later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX thank you for answer.

I read online that during the course of puberty, pubic hair doesn't immediately become 'adult type'. It becomes adult-like towards the end of puberty.

I think the same applies to perineal hair also? I.e. higher androgens towards XXXXXXX stage 4/5 is when the perineal hair becomes adult type ?

Best Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are correct, pubic hair become adult type in stage 4 onwards.
Same holds good for perineal hairs also.
However perineal hairs don't become as thick as pubic hairs.
Hair follicles have androgen receptors and each hair follicle can respond differently.
So there can be instances when only few hair follicles becme adult type even in stage 3 puberty.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (4 days later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX

Thank you for your valued advice.

I have one final question regarding testosterone action compared with weak anabolic steroid action. Specifically their actions within the cells .

Can you give example how the two steroids differ in their actions within the cell?

Thanks and wishing you all the best

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (33 hours later)

Brief Answer:
they act exactly same as testosterone

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Anabolic steroid work in a way very similar to testosterone.
They act on dna and increse protein synthesis and hence increase muscle mass.
However prolonged use suppresses the natural steroid production in body.
Hence use of anabolic steroids is harmful.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (19 hours later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX just for final clarification, does perenium hair change in type from stage 3 to stage 4 puberty?

Secondly, how much androgen is required for these hair follicles to produce 'adult' hair type....from first androgen pulse?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (27 hours later)

Brief Answer:
7 mg testosterone daily

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Daily around 7 mg testosterone is produced in an average adult male.
A part of this gets converted to dihydro testosterone which is the active agent in hair follicle and causes transition to adult type in stage 3 or 4 of puberty
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj