How do I tell my roommate about her fishy odor?

[Redstrawberries28]

Okay my roommate is cool and a nice person. We share a dorm room with a bathroom by the way. I noticed since September that whenever she comes on her period the room starts to smell fishy. I went in the bathroom behind her and it smelled like fish. I want to tell her but I don't want to sound like I'm being mean but I don't want to live in a fishy smelly room either. she's a nice person. She just has a fishy odor only when she's on her period. How do I tell her without being to harsh? Its actually harder than you think.

[miamigirl1970]

Believe it or not, menstrual blood has no odor. Neither does sweat for that matter. But, let’s be real, we have all experienced a smell or felt less than clean down there. First, menstrual blood is made of both blood and tissue that sheds from the uterus. When menstrual blood mixes with our own bodies, bacteria and odor may develop. Many describe this as fishy. Just like when we sweat. Perspiration has no odor, mix that with our body’s bacteria and we all know what that odor smells like. Noticing a fishy odor is common, and very likely unnoticeable to anyone else. Think about it, have you ever been able to tell if someone is on their period? To decrease odor, change your pad frequently. Assure you are using the pad or tampon with the right amount of absorbency. If a fishy odor persists after your period is over, an infection such as bacterial vaginosis may be present. Contact your healthcare provider for an in-office examination.

[miamigirl1970]

Thanks for the MHO

[itsagirlthing900]

put a candle in there or one of those wall scents from bath and body works. Or since its fall you can buy a basket of cinnamon and vanilla scented pine cones as decoration. If neither of these cover the smell then still don't tell her because there probably isn't anything she can do about it.

[pooper89]

It's probably not her period. The fishy smell is bacterial vaginosis and she needs to go on antibiotics and use them until all the pills are gone! You have to make sure ALL the bacteria are killed so that the bacteria that survived don't breed and spread their immunity.

[BeerFarts]

Personally, I would just deal with it since it only happens when she's on her period. Maybe it's something that she can't help.

However, if it bothers you that much, I would bring it up in a subtle, but gentle way. How she will take it depends on how sensitive a person she is.

[rayoki]

Maybe she can't help it? Just ask her about it and see if she could perhaps wash her vagina more. Maybe she does not even realize she smells bad.

[Redstrawberries28]

I don't know. Not saying that showering once a day is bad but when a woman is on her period she take at least two showers maybeeeeee 3. But 2 is good enough. She showers once when she's on her period and thats like at 6 in the morning. The rest of the day she doesn't shower.

[rayoki]

Seriously just ask her to shower twice a day then. I wouldn't try to beat around the bush like the broken toilet comment, she will catch on quickly and will think you think she is stupid. When I am wrong I would want someone to be honest with me, and most others do to. Be nice about it, ask her if she has a second to sit down and talk. Then just break it out and be like "Can you do me a favor and please shower perhaps twice a day?" She will respect that. Just be polite, serious, and confident when you ask her to shower more.

[Redstrawberries28]

Your advice was my first approach then I thought maybe I'm being to hard. I think I should just go and be honest and respectful.

[WillowTree]

She's not washing enough or it's her clothing. It's best to bring it up discreetly and while she's on her rag. Lots of girls don't notice their own scent. I remember the horrors of middle school with girls still learning how to handle and deal with their periods and all the maintenance that comes with it. She probably doesn't smell it or doesn't think it's as strong. You're probably not the only one who smells it. Tell her it's for her own good.

[Ahrixxa]

When I am on my period, I dispose the used tampon inside toliet paper and I put it in a bag and throw it outside in the trash. The odor may be coming from disposing the tampons inside the trash bin. I just stick it in a bag and dump it out

[thevapors1234]

People oftentimes smell a certain way because of what they eat. If they did a huge recent diet change, that could be the cause. What's her usual diet like?

I've dealt with stinky roommates before. It sucks. There are a few cool tips here on how to handle the situation. sdhouseguys. com/my-roommate-smells-bad-what-to-do/

Don't be afraid to confront them! However, tread lightly because they might not know they actually smell.

[mooky06]

How does she dispose of them? I would have a separate bin (with scented plastic bags) to dispose that sort of stuff and tie it off. Keep using air freshener (a better one)

[Ninja97]

Buy a her powder/ intimate care wash and tell her you bought this and it was amazing! She has to try it!

[Dim_121]

Tell her that your worried about her because of the fishy smell and that she should see a doctor about it.

[Anonymous]

be subtle, when she comes out of the bathroom tell her something like "can you smell that? I think the toilet might be broken or something"

[Redstrawberries28]

Thats a good one. Maybe I'll try.

[rayoki]

haha that is so sneaky. :P

[stillagoodgirl]

Get some spray and tell her to use it for bad odor, enuf said

[Bobbyhill1]

dont say its her but ask what is that smell? she will be self conscious about it

[PhoenixItalian]

What can she do about it? Is it safe to use a douche on your period? Perhaps a solution would be better than a complaint

[jakebrake7]

Even If you tell her, it won't fix it. My advice find another roommate.

[Frogeegurl]

Just buy some air fresheners

[Redstrawberries28]

I did. That didn't work.

[singlebee]

Yukkksss 😷 I lst my appetite heheeh

[gapminder]

Ooooooooooooo gaaaawwwd

[Anonymous]

man thats fukin gross

[larry69]

Use scented tampons

[TonyRyanAgain]

LOL, gross...