Scarleteen

I have a vulva and am almost 18. I have muuuuch higher testosterone levels than standard, it effects my body in a few ways and one is that my body hair is much thicker. It became noticeable when I was like 8, my body hair is much more similar to a male my age. I don’t shave; I’m genderqueer and much prefer it this way, I tried it one summer and found that I feel a lot happier in myself without shaving.
I have very thick and long pubic hair from my mons all the way back between my thighs. I trim it with scissors every now and then, but not super short (I’ve tried this once and found it really uncomfortable both physically and in how it made me feel emotionally), just so that it isn’t noticeable if I’m for example wearing a tight swimming costume. I’ve seen people say that it’s unhygienic not to shave down there, is that true? I feel like it shouldn’t be, given that I clean externally with soap every day, but I can’t help being nervous about it.

Nope, that's a myth. In fact, so long as you generally keep yourself clean the way you do, with a shower every day or two, pubic hair helps keep bacteria FROM your genitals, which is helpful to prevent infections and irritation.

Keep your hair as much as you'd like!