If you’ve ever seen a soft bump or bulge of fat just above your pubic region, you’re not alone—and you’re not abnormal. This section of your body is commonly referred to as a FUPA, an acronym for Fat Upper Pubic Area. While social media and pop culture tend to use the term nonchalantly or with ridicule, it’s actually a natural body part.
But is FUPA something to be worried about? Is it normal to have one? Let’s break down the facts and myths together as well as the real answers.
What Is FUPA?
FUPA is an acronym that stands for Fat Upper Pubic Area. It refers to the layer of fat that sits above the pubic bone and beneath the belly button. Technically, this region is a part of the mons pubis, which is a naturally fatty region of the human body that exists in every male and female.
It can be more pronounced with the fat retention in that region due to weight, hormonal changes, pregnancy, aging, or even your genes.
Is FUPA Normal?
Yes, FUPA is completely normal. Numerous individuals store some fat in this zone, and its prominence can be influenced by several factors:
- Body type and genetics
- Age and hormonal shifts
- History of pregnancy or C-sections
- Overall body weight
- Muscle tone
For many, it is simply part of their body shape. Even some slim or athletic individuals can have a visible FUPA.
What Causes FUPA?
A few common factors help explain FUPA for many people:
1. Weight Gain
Extra body fat tends to settle in certain areas, and the lower belly is a common place to store fat.
2. Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy can also cause some muscles in the abdominal region to weaken, and it may cause the skin to stretch, which can cause fat to be retained or skin to sag in the pubic area.
3. C-Section Surgery
Following a C-section, scar tissue and displaced fat may settle in the region above the incision line which may add to the appearance of FUPA.
4. Hormonal Changes
Menopause or hormonal shifts after giving birth, plus stress (which raises cortisol levels) can cause fat to be stored in the lower belly.
5. Genetics
Other people simply have the tendency to store fat in the pubic or lower abdominal region.
Is FUPA Fat Something You Can Get Rid Of?
It is possible to lose FUPA with patience, consistency, and a holistic approach. As with most things in life, “there is no magic solution.” Unfortunately, “spot reduction,” or losing fat in just one area, is a myth.
Here is a list of things you can do to reduce FUPA:
1. Do Cardio, FUPA, and Full Body Exercises
Lap swimming, brisk walking, jogging, or cycling are all great forms of cardio. With time, consistent, cardio will lead to a reduction in fat in all areas of the body, including the FUPA.
2. Do Strength Training
Doing leg raises, reverse crunches, and planks can help strengthen the core muscles. Tighter muscles under the skin can improve the area’s appearance, and strengthen the core.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
A big part of getting rid of FUPA is consuming proper diet. Processed foods and sugary drinks make bloating worse. Lean proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains reduce body fat, and help a person look and feel lighter.
4. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps reduce the bloating and the subsequent bulging in the abdominal section.
5. Managing Stress
Meditation, yoga, and even getting proper sleep can help with the body’s cortisol levels caused by chronic stress.
Non-invasive and Surgery Options
If you can not seem to get rid of FUPA by simply dieting and exercising, many diseases can be treated by non-invasive or surgical treatment such as CoolSculpting (Cryolipolysis). This method, as the name suggests, freezes and reduces fat cells in specific areas. Ultrasound or laser fat reduction is another method and they work by heating fat cells and destroying them.
- Liposuction: fat can be removed surgically from specific areas of the body such as the pubis.
- Tummy Tuck or Monsplasty: these procedures are more aggressive and remove fat as well as excess skin.
- Education is the best treatment option: It is ideal to speak to a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist first.
Mental Health and Self Acceptance
Even though we can actively work to change certain aspects of our body, we must be careful to criticize ourselves for having a FUPA. Rather, this is a social mark of body acceptance as many people, regardless of body structure, are known to store fat in this region.
In our current age of social media, it is common to be hyper focused on having the perfect body as a result of skewed beauty standards. Celebrate your body as it is, and do long-term habits towards better health.
When to consult a physician?
A protrusion of the lower belly is towards the center of the body, and in a few unusual circumstances can be a sign of something dangerous like a hernia, or swelling from some infectious or lymphatic process. If your bulging FUPA is sudden, painful, or does drastic change in a short time, I suggest that seeing a doctor is a good pick.
Questions And Answers FUPA
Q1: Is FUPA more common in women?
Yes, for women it is more common because of a FUPA. But it can also be found in men.
Q2: Can FUPA go away on its own?
If it’s caused by bloat or water retention, then it might go away on its own. However, if it’s caused by fat accumulation, then some lifestyle changes or treatments will need to be undertaken.
Q3: Do certain clothes make FUPA more noticeable?
Absolutely. Clothes with a low-rise cut, tight waistbands, and hugging dresses accentuate the area. On the other hand, shapewear or high-waisted garments can smooth over the area and reduce its appearance.
Q4: Can you target FUPA with specific exercises?
It’s possible to strengthen the muscles beneath the fat, such as the lower abs, but you cannot burn fat in a specific area. Overall body fat loss is required.
Q5: Is having a FUPA unhealthy?
No, it is not considered unhealthy, but it depends on one’s body composition and overall health. If other health markers are in the normal range, a small FUPA is not a concern.
Q6: Does age play a role in FUPA development?
Yes. With age, metabolism, and skin elasticity, fat distribution shifts to the lower belly.
Final Thoughts
Is FUPA normal? Yes. It’s part of countless bodies and does not dictate one’s health, beauty, or value. While embracing changes is okay, choosing acceptance instead of relentless correction is just as valid.
You can choose to either embrace it, transform it, or minimize it—the most important thing is doing what feels right for you. Your body, your choice.
