Published on: 5/6/2025
Not having armpit hair but having pubic hair can happen because different hair follicles respond differently to hormones like testosterone rather than always meaning low testosterone.
After puberty, hormones like testosterone help grow body hair. However, not all hair follicles are the same. The follicles in the pubic area often need a lower amount of hormones to start growing hair, while the armpit follicles might need a bit more sensitivity to these hormones. This means that even if testosterone levels are normal, some men may grow pubic hair but have little or no armpit hair because the hair in the armpit does not respond as strongly. Genetics also play a role, as your body might simply be more or less sensitive in certain areas. Other factors like the way your cells use and react to hormones (known as androgen receptor sensitivity) can influence this too. In most cases, this difference doesn’t mean that there is a problem with your testosterone levels. Instead, it is just a natural variation in how your body develops hair. If there are concerns about hormonal balance or other related issues, speaking with a doctor can help clarify the underlying reasons.
(References)
Grymowicz M, Rudnicka E, Podfigurna A, et al. Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020 Jul;21(15):E5342. DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155342. PMID: 32731328; PMCID: PMC7432488.
Miranda BH, Charlesworth MR, Tobin DJ, Sharpe DT, Randall VA. Androgens trigger different growth responses in genetically identical human hair follicles in organ culture that reflect their epigenetic diversity in life. FASEB J. 2018 Feb;32(2):795-806. doi: 10.1096/fj.201700260RR. Epub 2018 Jan 4. PMID: 29046359; PMCID: PMC5928870.
Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A. Male hypogonadism: Symptoms and treatment. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010 Jul;1(3):297-301. doi: 10.4103/0110-5558.72420. PMID: 22247861; PMCID: PMC3255409.
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