Why does my pubic mound stick out so much? Uncovering the common reasons

September 22, 2025 •

5 min read

Millions of people worldwide express concern over a prominent mons pubis, a natural part of the body. If you've been asking yourself, "Why does my pubic mound stick out so much?", you're not alone, and there are several common explanations.

Quick Summary

A prominent pubic mound, or mons pubis, is often due to excess fat accumulation, loose skin from weight loss or pregnancy, genetics, or previous surgery. Medical conditions are less common causes.

Key Points

Fat Accumulation is Common: Excess fat often accumulates in the mons pubis due to weight gain, genetics, or hormonal changes, making the area appear more prominent.
Post-Pregnancy and Weight Loss: Significant weight changes, especially after pregnancy or major weight loss, can lead to loose, sagging skin that contributes to a bulging appearance.
Check for Swelling: A sudden, painful, or tender bulge may indicate a medical issue like a hernia or swollen lymph nodes and warrants a doctor's visit.
Lifestyle Changes Help Overall: While you can't spot-reduce fat, a balanced diet and overall weight management can help reduce fat in the pubic area over time.
Surgical Options Exist: For persistent concerns, procedures like liposuction or a monsplasty can effectively remove excess fat and skin for a smoother contour.

Understanding the Mons Pubis

The mons pubis, or mons veneris, is the rounded mound of fatty tissue located directly above the pubic bone. It is a normal part of human anatomy in both men and women, though it is often more prominent in women due to hormonal influences and natural fat distribution. Its primary function is to serve as a cushion and protect the pubic bone, though it also houses pheromone-releasing glands. While its size and shape vary significantly from person to person, a prominent mons pubis can sometimes lead to body image concerns and discomfort with certain types of clothing.

What Causes a Prominent Pubic Mound?

Several factors contribute to the size and projection of the mons pubis. Understanding these can help demystify why it may appear larger than expected.

Excess Fat Accumulation

One of the most common reasons for a prominent mons pubis is localized fat accumulation. Just like other parts of the body, the mons pubis can store excess fat. The distribution of this fat is often influenced by several factors:

Weight gain: As overall body fat increases, the mons pubis can gain fat and become larger and more noticeable. This is often the first and most direct cause of an enlarged pubic mound.
Hormonal shifts: Hormones play a significant role in where the body stores fat. For instance, estrogen can cause increased fat deposits in the mons pubis, which is why it becomes more prominent during puberty and can change during menopause.
Genetics: Some individuals are simply genetically predisposed to storing more fat in their upper pubic area, even if they are at a healthy weight overall.

Loose Skin and Elasticity Loss

Changes in skin elasticity can also cause the mons pubis to appear enlarged, especially when significant weight loss or pregnancy is involved.

After pregnancy: The skin and muscles of the abdomen stretch significantly during pregnancy. Following childbirth, this skin may not fully retract, leading to loose, sagging skin that contributes to a prominent appearance in the pubic area. A C-section scar can also sometimes create an indentation that accentuates the bulge below it.
Post-significant weight loss: For individuals who have lost a large amount of weight, the stretched skin in the mons pubis may lose its elasticity and sag. This excess skin and fatty tissue can create a persistent bulge, even after the overall body fat has been reduced.
Aging: As a natural part of the aging process, skin loses its firmness and elasticity over time, which can contribute to a more noticeable and sagging mons pubis.

The Role of Surgery

Certain surgical procedures can also alter the appearance of the mons pubis.

Tummy tucks (Abdominoplasty): A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall and removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. In some cases, this can make the mons pubis appear more pronounced by creating a flatter area directly above it.
Liposuction: This procedure can be used to remove fat from the mons pubis directly, but can sometimes result in uneven fat removal or skin laxity if not performed with care.

Distinguishing Fat from Swelling: When to See a Doctor

While excess fat and loose skin are the most common causes, persistent or sudden changes in the pubic mound can sometimes signal a medical issue. It is important to know the difference.

Swelling due to inflammation: Swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin can be caused by infections in the lower body, such as STIs, or skin infections from shaving. This is usually accompanied by tenderness, redness, and a warm sensation.
Hernias: An inguinal hernia occurs when soft tissue, like part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This can result in a bulge near the pubic bone that may become more obvious when coughing or straining.

If you experience a sudden, painful, or tender bulge, or notice other concerning symptoms, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to rule out a medical condition.

Comparison Table: Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Options


Feature	Non-Surgical Options	Surgical Procedures (Monsplasty)
Effectiveness	Can reduce fat but cannot address loose skin. Results may vary and are often less dramatic.	Highly effective for both fat and excess skin removal, providing more dramatic and permanent results.
Procedure	Non-invasive, often using methods like cryolipolysis (fat freezing) or radiofrequency.	Invasive surgery involving liposuction and/or skin excision.
Recovery	Little to no downtime, with mild swelling or bruising.	Several weeks of recovery, with a longer healing process and potential discomfort.
Cost	Generally less expensive per session, but multiple treatments may be needed.	Higher initial cost, though it provides a more permanent solution.
Best for...	Mild fat accumulation and those seeking minimal intervention.	Significant excess fat, loose skin, and desiring definitive results.

What Can You Do?

For those bothered by the appearance of their mons pubis, there are several steps one can take.

Lifestyle and Exercise

Overall weight management: If excess weight is the primary cause, losing weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce fat deposits in the pubic mound, although targeted fat loss is often not possible.
Core strengthening: While spot-toning the mons pubis isn't possible, strengthening your lower abdominal muscles can help improve the overall tone and appearance of the area.

Cosmetic Procedures

For more significant or persistent concerns, or for those at a healthy weight, cosmetic interventions offer more targeted solutions.

Mons Liposuction: A minimally invasive procedure that uses suction to remove excess fat from the mons pubis.
Monsplasty (Pubic Lift): A surgical procedure that removes both excess skin and fat for a firmer, flatter appearance, often combined with a tummy tuck.

Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to determine the most suitable option for your individual needs and goals.

Conclusion

The prominent nature of your pubic mound, or mons pubis, can be attributed to several factors, with excess fat, loose skin, genetics, and past surgeries being the most frequent culprits. For most, it is a normal anatomical variation, but if it causes discomfort or self-consciousness, there are solutions ranging from general weight management to targeted cosmetic procedures. For those concerned about sudden swelling or pain, a medical evaluation is recommended to rule out any underlying health issues.

Learn more about mons pubis anatomy and pain on Healthline

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, overall weight loss through diet and exercise can help reduce excess fat in the mons pubis. However, genetics and loose skin may mean that lifestyle changes alone are not enough to achieve the desired result. Spot reduction is largely a myth, but reducing overall body fat will have an impact.

FUPA is a slang term for "Fatty Upper Pubic Area." Medically, this refers to a prominent or enlarged mons pubis, which is the fatty mound of tissue located above the pubic bone.

A C-section can sometimes contribute to a more prominent pubic mound. The scar can remain tight against the underlying tissue, while the skin and fat below it may not, creating a more pronounced bulge or shelf-like appearance.

A bulge caused by fat is typically soft, non-tender, and a persistent feature. Swelling, however, is often accompanied by pain, tenderness, redness, or warmth, and may have appeared more suddenly. If you are unsure, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Yes, genetics can play a significant role. Some individuals are simply genetically predisposed to storing more fat in this specific area, meaning they can have a prominent mons pubis even if they are at a healthy weight.

Monsplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and loose skin from the mons pubis area. It is designed to create a flatter, more contoured appearance and is often combined with other procedures like a tummy tuck.

Yes, some non-surgical options exist, such as cryolipolysis (fat freezing) or radiofrequency treatments. These methods are most effective for addressing mild fat deposits and cannot treat loose skin.