I Like This Guy But He Smells Bad - What Should I Do?
We've all been there. You meet an amazing guy who seems perfect in so many ways. You share common interests, have great chemistry and can talk for hours. However, there's just one little problem - he has consistent bad body odor.
Body odor can be an embarrassing and tricky subject to tackle. You may wonder if you should bring it up and risk offending him. But the smell is difficult to ignore and could get in the way of an otherwise promising connection.
So what should you do if you really like a guy but he just smells bad?
Understanding the Potential Causes
Before addressing the issue, it helps to understand what may be behind his body odor. Common culprits include:
- Sweating - Heat, humidity, stress or exercise can trigger excessive perspiration which bacteria on the skin breaks down causing underarm, foot or other body odors.
- Medical Conditions - Health issues like chronic sinus infections, diabetes, liver or kidney disease may lead to unpleasant scents.
- Poor Hygiene - Insufficient bathing, changing clothes, laundry practices, deodorant use can allow odors to build up.
- Pungent Foods - Spices like garlic, onions and curry or foods like fish, cabbage or asparagus can cause odor when excreted.
- Smoking and Alcohol - These destructive habits can significantly worsen body and breath smells.
Sensitively Bringing Up the Body Odor Issue
If you genuinely care for him, avoid making critical comments about his smell. Instead, come from a caring mindset focused on his health and wellbeing. You could gently say something like:
"I wanted to talk about something a bit uncomfortable. I really enjoy spending time with you, but lately I've noticed a bit of a body odor. I'm concerned it may be a sign of an underlying issue. Maybe we could discuss it with your doctor to make sure everything is okay?"
Reassure him that you aren’t judging him, you just want him to feel his best. Suggest seeing his physician to uncover any possible medical reasons behind the smell.
Encouraging Improved Hygiene Habits
If his doctor gives him a clean bill of health, the odor may come down to insufficient hygiene habits. You can subtly promote better self-care by:
- Gifting him bodywash, deodorant, breath mints
- Keeping wipes, spray deodorant, gum handy when you’re together
- Reminding him before going out for a meal, activity or getting intimate
- Praising him when he smells fresh after bathing
- Leading by example - always be impeccably clean when you see him
Improving fitness, nutrition and other lifestyle factors can also help minimize unpleasant scents.
Dietary Changes to Improve Body Odor
Your guy’s nutrition likely plays a major role in regulating body odors and sweat smells. By cleaning up his diet and staying hydrated, he can reduce unpleasant aromas emanating from his underarms and elsewhere.
Encourage these dietary strategies to curb smelly bodily excretions:
Hydrate With Clean Water
Drinking more water, especially between meals, dilutes toxins for cleaner sweat.
Up His Probiotic Intake
Fermented foods build healthy gut flora to reduce strong-smelling compounds exiting the GI tract.
Eat More Plants, Less Meat
A plant-based diet with more fiber minimizes meat and body waste odors.
Cut Back Alcohol and Caffeine
Reduce stimulants that can worsen B.O. by altering sweat composition.
Avoid Pungent Foods If Sensitive
Limit bell peppers, broccoli, curry, cabbage etc. a few days pre-date if these foods make him smellier.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Body Odor
Aside from dietary adjustments, implementing certain lifestyle modifications may also help control excessive odors:Bathe Regularly
Daily showers using antibacterial soap prevent smelly bacteria buildup, especially in sweat-prone areas.
Apply Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Choose all-natural deodorant with odor-neutralizing essential oils and avoid pore-clogging aluminum.
Change Clothes and Bedding Frequently
Put on clean clothes daily, replace sweat-drenched shirts and wash bed linens weekly.
Wear Moisture Wicking Fabrics
Choose performance workout gear or breathable business attire to stay dry and odor-free.
Air Out Shoes and Bags
Insert cedar blocks or baking soda in stinky footwear or gym bags between uses.
Paying attention to hygiene, hydration and fabric choices can make a major difference in minimizing body odors.
When Odor Points to Deeper Health Issues
In some cases, persistently foul body smells may result from an underlying chronic condition. Smelly symptoms pointing to diseases and disorders include:
Sweet, Fruity Scent - Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Smells like acetone from high blood sugar and ketones.
Rotten Egg Smell - Liver Dysfunction
Ammonia-like odor from inability to process proteins.
Yeasty, Bread Smell - Skin Infections
Overgrowth of Candida or other fungi emit musty smells.
Fecal Body Odor - Bowel Leakage or Fistula
Uncontrolled leakage or abnormal internal connections allow bowel contents to seep.
When standard hygiene fails to resolve foul physical aromas, medical assessment is warranted. Gastroenterologists, dermatologists and endocrinologists can order specialized tests and imaging to diagnose sources.
Coping with Private Part Odors
Intimate bodily smells related to the groin, rear end or vaginal regions can be especially mortifying. But several strategies may help reduce embarrassing odors from private areas when getting intimate:
- Daily cleansing of sweat and odor prone regions
- Breathable cotton underwear over synthetic fabrics that trap moisture
- Avoid douching which can disrupt healthy vaginal pH allowing bad bacteria to take hold
- See your gynecologist to treat yeast or bacterial vaginosis
- Take probiotics to promote protective vaginal lactobacilli
Do your best not to react negatively if you catch a whiff of private odors in the bedroom. Gently suggest taking a sensual shower together beforehand instead.
When Body Odor Signals an Incompatible Match
If his unpleasant scent persists after you’ve exhausted all supportive tactics, it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship. Consider moving on if:
- He gets angry or refuses to address complaints about his odor
- Underlying depression or self-neglect seems involved rather than medical issues
- His smell combined with other red flags makes you constantly uneasy or disgusted
- You feel his lack of hygiene means you can’t have the future you envision together
Pay attention over time if his pungent aromas correlate with periods of high stress, lack of sleep, poor diet or limited self-care related to job loss, family problems or other struggles.
While supporting a partner through tough times is important, you shouldn’t have to constantly convince someone to practice basic cleanliness. Good intimate relationships require mutual care and consideration regarding even sensitive subjects like body odor.
Enjoy Lasting Love Without the Body Odor
Being attracted to someone who has consistent bad body odor can be frustrating and worrying. Foul smells may stem from temporary situations like hot weather or diet. But persistent unpleasant scents can signal medical conditions or self-care issues needing compassionate attention.
By sensitively bringing up the topic, encouraging positive changes and leading with understanding, you can preserve a relationship threatened by bad smells. However, refusal to address odor concerns may indicate deeper incompatibilities.
Prioritize your needs while supporting his ability to become the healthiest version of himself. With open communication and care on both sides, you can hopefully overcome body odor woes to focus on lasting love!
FAQs
How do you tell a guy he smells bad?
Avoid criticism. Gently share your concerns about his health and suggest seeing a doctor to rule out underlying issues. Then you can subtly encourage better hygiene habits like gifting soaps, keeping wipes handy when together, and praising fresh smells.
What does it mean when a man smells like poop?
Fecal body odor may indicate bowel incontinence, a fistula allowing stool to abnormally pass through the body, severe constipation or an impaction requiring medical attention. Parasitic infections could also cause poop-like smells.
Why does my boyfriend's private area smell?
Groin or genital odors typically result from sweat mixing with bacteria, poor hygiene, underwear fabric trapping moisture, as well as untreated yeast or bacterial infections. See a doctor to address consistent unpleasant private part smells.
What vitamin deficiency causes body odor?
Body odor can by a sign of vitamin B6, zinc or magnesium deficiencies. People with diabetes or thyroid disorders more prone to Vitamin B deficiency may have increased unpleasant smells from high blood sugar and metabolic changes.
When should you break up over body odor?
It may be time to end things if he gets angry when you shows care and concern about his smell, if deeper mental health issues or self-neglect seem involved rather than medical reasons, or his odor plus other red flags make you constantly uneasy about the relationship.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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