P3. What Lower Back Dimples Really Mean: Facts About “Venus Holes” and Their Role in Body Anatomy

What Lower Back Dimples Really Mean—And Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Them

If you’ve ever noticed two small indentations just above your buttocks, you’re not alone. These are known as lower back dimples—commonly referred to as “dimples of Venus” in women and sometimes “Apollo holes” in men. While often associated with beauty or fitness, these dimples are natural anatomical variations, not indicators of health or medical concerns.

In this article, we’ll break down what causes these dimples, whether they hold any medical significance, and the myths that often surround them.

What Are Lower Back Dimples?

Lower back dimples are small, symmetrical indentations located just above the buttocks, typically where the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) meets the skin. This bony landmark of the pelvic region creates the dimpling effect when skin and ligaments attach closely to the underlying bone.

These features are more noticeable in individuals with:

• Low body fat

• Defined lower back and glute muscles

• Prominent pelvic bone structure

They’re not medical conditions—they’re simply variations in how your body is built.

Why Are They Called “Dimples of Venus”?

The term “Dimples of Venus” refers to the Roman goddess of love and beauty, highlighting how these features have been romanticized throughout history. When found on men, they are sometimes referred to as “Apollo holes,” named after the Greek god of strength and youth.

Despite these poetic names, they carry no actual medical or diagnostic relevance.

How Common Are They?

Lower back dimples are relatively common but not universal. Their visibility is largely determined by:

• Genetics

• Body composition

• Muscle tone

You either have them or you don’t—it’s not something you can “train into” existence.

Do They Indicate Good Health?

In short: no. While people with lower back dimples often have lower body fat or stronger musculature, there is no scientific evidence linking them to better health, fertility, or physical performance.

Here’s what we know:

• They do not affect your metabolism, circulation, or reproductive system.

• They are not a sign of fitness, despite what social media might suggest.

• They are not a medical indicator of any condition—good or bad.

Are They Ever a Cause for Concern?

In nearly all cases, no. Lower back dimples are completely harmless.

However, don’t confuse them with sacral dimples, which are located near the base of the spine (closer to the buttocks) and may sometimes require medical attention in infants if associated with other signs. Lower back dimples, by contrast, are superficial and not connected to spinal issues.

Can You Get Them Through Exercise?

Not exactly.

While building muscle and reducing body fat can enhance the definition of your lower back, you can’t create dimples if you don’t already have the anatomical structure for them. Their visibility is primarily influenced by:

• Pelvic bone position

• Skin-to-bone ligament attachment

• Your natural connective tissue pattern

A healthy lifestyle may make existing dimples more noticeable, but they can’t be formed through workouts alone.

Are They Considered Attractive?

Beauty is subjective. Lower back dimples have been admired in art and media, but they’re just one of many natural features of the human body.

What really matters is:

• How you feel in your own skin

• How you care for your health

• How you celebrate your body, as it is

Common Myths—Busted

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Body, Dimples or Not

Whether or not you have lower back dimples, remember: they’re a small, genetically influenced feature—not a measure of your health, beauty, or worth. The most important thing you can do for your body is to nurture it, move it, and treat it with kindness.

Focus on:

• Balanced nutrition

• Regular physical activity

• Mental well-being

• Positive body image

Your uniqueness is your strength. Celebrate the body you have—dimples or no dimples.