The straight man’s perspective: Chris Kennedy
First off, kudos to this guy for being proactive. We gave similar advice a couple of columns ago to a woman who had a problem with her man’s smell. One of the things we suggested was to incorporate showers and baths into her and her partner’s sex life. You’re doing that. I’m always impressed when people follow our good advice—surprised and impressed.
This guy likes you and your smell hasn’t scared him away. If nothing else, he’s giving you a good hint that there’s an issue. Bathing regularly and being “hygienic” is a good start, but it may not be enough. Maybe you could take more and/or different approaches to the smell issue. A call to your OB/GYN and some basic research should give you some ideas.
To answer one of your questions, I don’t know if all women struggle with this. I would say most women are likely to have some sort of smell; you are a human being after all. We aren’t bars of soap, we’re living breathing entities. And of course, it’s dependent on how active you are and what time of the day too. There’s also a possibility your guy may be extra sensitive to smell too.
Regardless, you two like each other and should be able to communicate about this without much awkwardness. Try, “Hey baby, I’m trying a new douche. What do you think?”
Okay, probably too direct but maybe something more generic, “Hey baby, I’m trying some new things down here, let me know what you like.” Or “I talked to my doctor and she gave me this stuff. Do you notice a difference?” That’s all, no big deal.
It sounds like he’s the type who’s willing to work on this with you while you two continue to have fun, so I encourage you to bring it up.
Good luck getting the odor in order.
The gay woman’s perspective: Jody Fischer
If you realize that you have a bad smell “down there,” why would you think that anyone would want to be on, near, or around it? Guys may be into the smell of a woman, but why should he be into it when it sounds like even you realize that something is off?
