Sex differences in adult pubic hair distribution in Nigeria.

Pubic hair was studied in 520 men and 270 women belonging to the various parts of the Northern Nigeria. An attempt has been made to study the pubic hair pattern in three age groups. The distribution of pubic hair was classified into four types, designated as horizontal, sagittal, acuminate and disperse. The acuminate or "masculine" type is present in approximately half of the men and 10 percent of the women. It is characteristic of 39.8 per cent of 19-20 years old males, and persists in 20.2 per cent of adult males. In the majority the division into "masculine" and "feminine" types is found to be satisfactory. There is definite relationship between the age of an individual and hair pattern. In males the decrease in frequency of the horizontal pattern with age is associated with increase in general hirsutism and is associated by the development of a disperse pubic hair pattern.