What Causes White Hair to Appear in the Genital Area?
Mar 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
With increasing age, the melanocytes in human hair follicles gradually lose their function, leading to reduced melanin production, and pubic hair may also turn white. This is a normal physiological phenomenon that does not require special treatment. In daily life, consuming foods rich in vitamin B complex, copper, zinc, and other trace elements, such as nuts and leafy green vegetables, may help delay the graying process.
The appearance of white hair in the genital area may be caused by aging, malnutrition, high mental stress, vitiligo, albinism, and other factors. Management can vary depending on the specific situation. If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical advice for appropriate management.
1. Aging: With increasing age, the function of melanocytes in hair follicles gradually declines, resulting in reduced melanin production, and the hair in the genital area may also turn white. This is a normal physiological phenomenon and does not require special treatment. In daily life, consuming foods rich in B vitamins, copper, zinc, and other trace elements, such as nuts and leafy vegetables, may help delay the graying process.
2. Malnutrition: Long-term dieting or picky eating may lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamin B12, copper, and other nutrients, which can affect melanin synthesis, causing white hair in the genital area, often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue and pallor. It is important to adjust dietary habits to ensure balanced nutrition, and to consume more meat, eggs, and whole grains to improve nutritional status and hair condition.
3. High Mental Stress: Prolonged high-pressure states can disrupt the endocrine system and impair the normal function of melanocytes in hair follicles, which may cause white hair in the genital area, often accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms. It is recommended to relieve stress through exercise, meditation, talking to others, maintaining regular作息 (作息 translates as作息 patterns), and alleviating tension, which may help improve hair graying.
4. Vitiligo: This condition may be caused by autoimmune factors, where melanocytes are destroyed, leading to a lack of melanin in the local skin and hair, which may cause white hair in the genital area along with clearly defined white patches on the skin. Patients can use medications such as tacrolimus ointment, pimecrolimus cream, and compound kulisuan tincture under a doctor's guidance to promote recovery of melanocytes and alleviate symptoms.
5. Albinism: This is a genetic disorder caused by gene mutations that result in the lack of key enzymes required for melanin synthesis. All body hair, including genital hair, may appear white, and the skin and eyes may also lack pigmentation and be sensitive to light. It is recommended to use medications such as vitamin D drops, calcium carbonate D3 tablets, and vitamin D soft capsules under a doctor's guidance to alleviate discomfort.
In daily life, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as balanced nutrition and moderate exercise, may help delay the aging process.
References:
[1] Lu Q, Zhao YX. Clinical features and treatment progress of segmental vitiligo[J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology and Venereology Integrated with Traditional and Western Medicine, 2025, 24(01):93-96.
[2] Zhang KT, Li XL, Li SP. A systematic review of patient-reported outcomes in albinism[J]. Chinese Journal of Drug Economics, 2023, 18(05):18-22.
