If You Have These 2 “Dimples” on Your Lower Back, Here’s What They Really Mean

Have you ever noticed two small indentations on your lower back, just above your buttocks? They are often called “Venus dimples” in women and “Apollo dimples” in men, and they have become a popular topic online because of the many claims surrounding them.

Some social media posts suggest that these little dimples reveal something about your health, fitness, attractiveness, fertility, or even your sex life. But the reality is much simpler—and far more interesting.

These dimples are usually a completely normal feature of human anatomy.

They are created by the way the skin and connective tissues attach around the underlying bones of the pelvis. Their appearance can vary considerably from person to person.

So, what exactly are those two little marks on your lower back?

1. They’re Called “Venus Dimples”

The two indentations are commonly known as Venus dimples, a name inspired by Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty.

They are generally located symmetrically on either side of the lower spine, around the area of the posterior superior iliac spines—small bony landmarks at the back of the pelvis.

Unlike a bruise, scar, or rash, these indentations are usually simply part of a person's natural body structure.

If you've always had them, there is generally nothing medically unusual about them.

2. Your Bones Help Create Their Appearance

Those little dimples aren't random holes in the skin.

Underneath the skin are muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, and the bones of the pelvis. The shape and attachment of these structures can create subtle depressions in the skin.

Genetics plays a major role in determining pelvic structure, body composition, skin characteristics, and where fat is distributed.

That's why some people have very noticeable dimples while others have barely visible ones—or don't have them at all.

Having them isn't a sign that your body is “better” or healthier than someone else's.

3. They Are Not a Guaranteed Sign of Being Fit

One of the biggest myths online is that lower-back dimples prove someone has a low body-fat percentage or is particularly athletic.

That's not necessarily true.

A person can have very visible Venus dimples without being extremely lean, while another person with a very low body-fat percentage may not have noticeable dimples at all.

Body composition can influence how visible anatomical features appear, but genetics and skeletal structure are important factors too.

So don't use the presence—or absence—of these dimples as a measure of fitness.

4. They Don't Tell You Whether Someone Is Fertile

Another popular internet claim suggests that Venus dimples are associated with fertility.

There is no reliable evidence that having lower-back dimples means a woman is more fertile or more likely to become pregnant.

Fertility depends on a complex combination of factors involving reproductive anatomy, ovulation, hormones, age, sperm health, and many other variables.

A pair of indentations above the buttocks cannot tell you whether someone can conceive.

They're an anatomical feature, not a fertility test.

5. They Don't Predict Sexual Performance Either

Social media has also connected Venus dimples with claims about sexual attractiveness or sexual performance.

While different cultures may associate these dimples with beauty, there is no scientific basis for using them to predict someone's sexual ability, libido, or sexual satisfaction.

People naturally have different body shapes and features.

A small indentation on the lower back may look attractive to some people, but that's a matter of individual preference—not evidence of a particular physiological advantage.

6. Not Everyone Has Them

If you look at your lower back and don't see two dimples, that's completely normal too.

The visibility of these indentations depends on several factors, including:

• Genetics
• Pelvic anatomy
• Skin and connective tissue structure
• Muscle development
• Body-fat distribution
• Age
• Individual body shape

Some people have deep, obvious dimples. Others have shallow indentations that are difficult to see.

There is no requirement for the human body to have them.

7. Losing Weight May Make Them More Visible

Although weight loss doesn't “create” Venus dimples, changes in body composition can sometimes make existing anatomical features easier to see.

When the amount of tissue covering the pelvis changes, the contours of the underlying structures may become more noticeable.

This can make the dimples appear deeper or more defined.

However, trying to lose weight simply to make these dimples visible is unnecessary. Their presence has no special health benefit.

8. Exercise Can Change the Surrounding Appearance

Strength training can alter the muscles surrounding the lower back and hips, particularly the gluteal and lower-back muscles.

As those muscles develop, the overall shape of the area can change, potentially making existing dimples appear more or less prominent.

But exercise does not reliably create Venus dimples in someone who doesn't naturally have them.

You can strengthen your body without needing to chase a particular anatomical feature.

9. When Should a Lower-Back Dimple Be Checked?

There is an important distinction between adult Venus dimples and certain types of dimples that are present near the spine from birth.

A small indentation in the lower back, particularly if it is located very close to the middle of the spine, can sometimes be a sacral dimple. Most sacral dimples are harmless, but certain unusual features may warrant medical evaluation.

Seek medical advice if a spinal or sacral dimple is associated with things such as:

Drainage, redness, swelling, a nearby lump, significant hair growth over the area, changes in sensation, weakness, or problems with bladder or bowel control.

These findings don't automatically mean there is a serious problem, but they deserve professional assessment.

10. Don't Confuse Dimples With Skin Problems

The dimples shown in the image appear to represent normal anatomical indentations. But if a depression in your lower back is new, painful, inflamed, itchy, swollen, or accompanied by changes in the surrounding skin, don't automatically assume it is a Venus dimple.

Skin infections, cysts, injuries, inflammation, and other conditions can sometimes change the appearance of the lower back.

A healthcare professional can distinguish a normal anatomical feature from something that needs treatment.

Why Do People Find Venus Dimples So Interesting?

Part of the fascination comes from the fact that these dimples are relatively subtle.

They're not present on everyone's body, and their symmetrical appearance can make them look almost deliberately designed.

For centuries, body features such as dimples, freckles, birthmarks, and particular facial structures have been associated with beauty or symbolism.

Today, social media has amplified these ideas, sometimes turning ordinary anatomical variations into supposed “secret signs” of health or personality.

That's where misinformation can creep in.

A feature can be interesting without having a hidden medical meaning.

The Bottom Line

If you have two small, symmetrical dimples on your lower back, you most likely have a normal anatomical feature commonly called Venus dimples.

They are influenced by your genetics, pelvic structure, connective tissues, and body composition.

They do not reliably indicate fertility, sexual performance, athletic ability, or superior health.

And if you don't have them?

You're completely normal too.

The human body comes in an enormous variety of shapes and structures. Some people have dimples on their cheeks, some have freckles, some have pronounced collarbones, and some have these two little indentations above their hips.

So the next time you notice those two marks on your lower back, there's no need to search for a mysterious meaning.

They're most likely just one of the many unique anatomical features that make your body yours.