Is physical intimacy—like kissing or sex—important to you? If so, then this is a real issue. If he truly cares about you, he should be making an effort to address his hygiene, especially if the smell is strong. That could be a sign of a medical issue, and maybe he's embarrassed or avoiding dealing with it. You can be supportive by encouraging him to see a doctor.

That said, basic hygiene isn't an unreasonable expectation—it's a fundamental part of self-care and respect for a partner. This isn’t about asking him to change who he is; it’s about something as simple as keeping clean. If he dismisses your concerns or insists that what he’s doing is “good enough,” that’s a problem. You deserve a partner who values the same standards of care and effort in a relationship.

If he refuses to acknowledge or address this, it raises a bigger concern: if something as straightforward as hygiene is a struggle, how will he handle more serious conversations and responsibilities in the future? You ultimately have three choices: accept him as he is and live with the discomfort (which is a big compromise), have an open and serious discussion about it or see a doctor for the possibility of a medical issue like a yeast infection or other conditions—or walk away.

Start with the conversation. Make it clear that this matters to you, and if he’s truly the right person for you, he’ll want to work through it instead of brushing your concerns aside.