I'm afab and have been receiving some strong reaction to my opinions so I will hedge my answer; I give it with kindness and the best of intent and I will generalise. I'm not an authority nor do I have access to scientific research of the matter. This is just my 2 cents based on my experience FWIW.
I'm recently out after 45 years of living as a 6' + white cis heterosexual woman.
I have had periods of shaving and not shaving armpits and legs.
Generally I only shave when I know these areas will be visible to the public. If I'm going to the gym or the beach etc.
My husband always preferred the hair, the natural look, and I do as well.
There are times that I was taken for a male because of people seeing my legs and not looking up
I have also had some number of men explain to me how they would only ever consider women that shaved these areas. Considering that they were saying this to someone that was in a very established relationship did not seem to deter them one bit
From what I have seen in the locker room, then most women do shave and majority even shaves the vaginal area.
I have never shaved the vaginal area until now because the STPs work much better when I do
Talk about irony lol.
I agree with others that say it is all about your goals
Do shave if:
- you aim to pass and the armpits will be visible
- it makes you feel more feminine to go with the current fashion
- you want to blend in
- you want to do what is currently, in general, perceived as feminine
Do not shave if:
- it bothers you or you prefer not too
- you don't know how to do it safely, (there are plenty of online instructions)
- you are concerned about health ramifications, (ingrown hair and irritations)
- you want to be considered hard-line feminist that is a bit of tongue in cheek but often accurate
- you are butch lesbian, (stereotypical yes but it is the first thing everyone assumed that I was lol)
Sadly the last on that list is what many are convinced I am now since coming out as afab.
Hope this helps.
