Those who prefer their nether regions smooth and hairless may want to rethink their grooming habits.

People who regularly trim or remove their pubic hair may be more at risk for sexually transmitted infections, according to a new study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.

The findings come from a survey of 7,580 people ages 18-65 about their grooming habits, sexual behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections.

The study defined high-frequency grooming as those who partake in daily or weekly grooming and extreme grooming as those who remove all pubic hair more than 11 times a year.

According to the survey, 74% of participants reported grooming their pubic hair in the past.

Extreme groomers were almost four times more likely to report having an STI than non-groomers.

The high frequency and extreme groomers were also more likely to report a greater number of sexual partners and more frequent sex.

While the study does not prove there is a link between shaving and STI, it does question whether small tears from shaving or waxing may make it easier for sexually transmitted infections to take hold. 

“As pubic hair grooming is correlated with an increased number of lifetime sexual partners and is viewed as a preparatory act to sexual engagement, it may also serve as a marker of increased STI risk,” according to the authors.

The authors note more research is needed to determine what role pubic hair grooming plays in sexually transmitted infections.