I have trichotillomania, a disorder that causes me to compulsively pull my hair out. It is what's classified as a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior, a category that also includes dermatillomania (skin picking) and chronic nail biting. I don't remember a time in my post-pubescent life when I didn't have patchy, uneven pubic hair due to pulling. This has always been a point of insecurity for me, and I often feel obligated to shave in order to hide my disorder. When talking about the disorder, most use the scalp or eyebrows as examples, but hair pulling can be from any place on your body, including your pubic hair. Up to 4% of the overall population suffers from the disorder, mainly adults, and while I know from talking to them that many other sufferers pull from their pubic regions, very few are open about it, finding the same shame and insecurity. I hope that by showing my vulva as it is, others can see that they're not alone.
For more information, check out http://www.bfrb.org/learn-about-bfrbs/trichotillomania
T. - 24 years old