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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Puberty > Q&A
Posted on: 04/28/2003
Question
Hi I am a 17-year-old male. I believe I was late to start puberty. My friends had armpit hair since the 5th grade. Mine began to grow shortly before 10th. I try to avoid social events that require taking off my shirt. Now I am going into 12th grade and I have finally have some armpit hair. Of course there is a problem. My right armpit has a fair amount of pubic hair, but my left has much less. It is very embarrassing. I have been watching the growth process for sometime, hoping the left one will catch up, but it's only falling more behind. I am getting worried since they have been uneven for 2 years. I plan on going to the beach with friends, but I am worried. Please help
Answer
Having more hair on one side is fairly common during puberty. It will probably even out as you get older. Try not to be embarrassed by how much hair you have. Your friends probably won't notice that you have more hair under one arm than the other. If someone does give you trouble about it, you might just say, "so what?". Hopefully you'll have a good time at the beach free of any arm pit hair woes.
Answered By:
Nancy Brown, PhD
Nancy Brown, PhD