TY - JOUR T1 - Brazilian bikini wax and the designer vagina JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 1005 LP - 1005 VL - 57 IS - 545 AU - Mike Fitzpatrick Y1 - 2007/12/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/57/545/1005.abstract N2 - One of the most striking features revealed in one of Jan van Rymsdyk's famous illustrations in William Hunter's 1774 anatomy of the human gravid uterus is an exuberant display of pubic hair. This is of contemporary interest because of the remarkable disappearance of female body hair over recent years. This began with the removal of axillary hair, continued with the depilation of the legs and has now extended to the cultivation of a range of pubic tonsures, extending from bikini waxing to full shaving. From the perspective of the examination couch, variations on these practices, once the preserve of religious and ethnic minorities, have become commonplace, especially among young women. (I leave aside here … ER -