Back Dimples (Dimples of Venus and Apollo): What Those Two Holes on Your Lower Back Mean

Some people have two small indentations on their lower back, just above the buttocks. They are known as dimples of Venus (or “Venus holes”), and in men they are sometimes called dimples of Apollo. They are a normal anatomical feature – not a sign of special health, and not something to worry about.

Where they come from

The dimples sit over the sacroiliac joints, where the pelvis meets the base of the spine. They form where a short ligament connects a bony point of the pelvis (the posterior superior iliac spine) to the skin. Whether you have them depends mostly on your genes and the shape of your pelvis.

Can you get them with exercise?

Not really. You cannot create the ligament attachment with training. The dimples may become more visible when there is less fat over the lower back, so overall fitness and a lower body-fat level can make existing dimples easier to see – but exercise cannot produce them where they don’t exist.

Do they say anything about your health?

Claims online that back dimples mean better circulation, better sexual health or a “special” body are myths without scientific support. Having them, or not having them, is simply normal variation.

When to see a doctor

Back dimples on both sides in an adult are harmless. In a newborn, a single dimple low on the back near the tailbone, especially with a tuft of hair, a skin mark or a lump, is sometimes checked by a doctor to rule out a problem with the spine. If you are unsure about a dimple in a baby, ask your pediatrician.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms or concerns about your own or your child’s health, talk to a doctor.