Men Are Asking Women Detailed Questions They're Too Intimidated To Ask IRL, And Women Are Answering In Vulnerable Ways

"Why do women have them everywhere? I get having one or two. But I've seen women with five or more."

I'm a curious person, so when I came across this Reddit thread where u/ThePlague_Doct0r asked, "Men of Reddit, what are some questions you’ve always wanted to ask women but couldn’t because it would seem weird?" I couldn't stop scrolling through the thread.

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Not only were some of the questions pretty surprising, but a lot of women answered them very honestly. Here's some of what the men asked and what women answered:

1. "When you're using the bathroom and you see your pad is slightly soiled, does it feel awkward having to put it back against your body?"

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—u/faux_pas1

Answer #1: "Yes. You also suddenly feel hyper-aware of the wet, soggy feeling of expelled blood being pushed back up against your bits."

—u/Lalalelo94

Answer #2: "It's like putting a wet swimsuit on. It feels awkward and it doesn't go back in the exact same place, so it feels weird. I hate pads!"

—u/pink_mango

2. "What kind of common behavior makes a guy seem creepy or unattractive?"

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—u/Player_Number3

Answer #1: "Asking sexual questions when you're not very close friends."

—u/ImproveOrEnjoy

Answer #2: "Throwing too many compliments right off the bat. You can easily turn from a good, nice guy to a creep in less than five seconds."

—u/ItsCatwoman

Answer #3: "Way too forward way too fast. Like, hinting at sex and making sexual jokes at me when I've known them for four hours. And acting as if they're entitled to my time. If I don't respond within five minutes, the 'OK, guess you're not interested' equals a major creep — red flag alert."

—u/Hyentics

3. "Why is there an overabundance of pillows everywhere? Couches, beds. I get having one or two for comfort. But I've seen women with five or more pillows."

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—u/greybruce1980

Answer #1: "I don’t know about others, but I have extra pillows to hug because I can’t sleep without pretending I’m with someone."

—u/Annaclaire_x

Answer #2: "For me, it's partially about aligning the shoulders and hips. Since I'm a side sleeper, I need to keep everything in line, including space between my knees. Pillow arrangement is key."

—u/Richard_Thickens

Answer #3: "For me, it's mostly for added, flexible comfort. In the bed and bedroom: different pillows for different places and positions — large for sleep, smaller for the neck when sitting up or between the knees.

"On the couch: for behind the neck, lap, propping things up, sitting on the floor by the coffee table, lying sideways, just holding on to for snuggling or warmth  while watching a movie. You'll always find a use."

—u/helpmewhyamistillup

4. "I'm a single dad to an 11-year-old daughter. What are some things I need to be knowledgeable of as she matures?"

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—u/Pioneer411

Answer #1: "First, I want to say that by commenting on here and asking for advice, you're already doing GREAT!! But I would say, know how periods actually work, what products to use, and when. As well as just being there to openly communicate with her. I know it's hard, but as someone with parents who never talked to her about things like this, I would've loved to have a parent like you. Best of luck to you!

"Also, I know this is random, but as she gets older, just remember it's easier and better to have the condom/birth control talk rather than the 'Dad, I'm pregnant' talk."

—u/irrevocably_an_olive

Answer #2: "Always knock on her door and wait for her to grant access before opening the door! Such awkward moments can be avoided with a little respect for privacy."

—u/missvvvv

Answer #3: "Talk to her about bras. So many women suffer wearing the wrong sizes (and I was one of them for a long 15 years)."

—u/ami_zalesskaya

5. "Do women put deodorant in their boob pits?"

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—u/3rdAccountPlsDontBan

Answer #1: "Some of us have to — either because of body chemistry or the shape of our breasts. On an extremely hot and humid day, if I know I'm going to be active or in a sports bra, I HAVE to put something there. I went mountain hiking in university with friends while wearing a regular bra and learned this the hard way right before finals. The friction of the regular bra in 98-degree weather — combined with a short rainstorm, subsequent humidity, AND my own sweat — gave me a two-week yeast infection under my breasts. 

"I didn't even know you could get them there until it happened, but my god, it was awful. The shape of my boobs means I HAVE to wear a bra to prevent pain (despite them being small), but I couldn't at the time because the infection spanned the area the band had to go on. Plus, I had antibiotic cream there, so it would end up being very messy."

—u/LookMa-ItsAThrowaway

6. "I know this is going to seem weird, but how do you guys control your pee stream? It’s easy for a guy, but I’m not too sure it would be for a woman."

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—u/Foxy_genocid3

Answer #1: "Direction? No. Flow speed? Yes."

—u/MooshAro

Answer #2: "I think it’s the same pelvic floor muscles that men have. When you contract or relax your muscles to regulate your pee, it’s at the base, right? As in, you cut the flow off at the faucet, not at the end of the hose. Women just have a faucet but no hose. You, too, can do Kegels to strengthen those muscles."

—u/ObliviousDirt

7. "Do you randomly get sexually aroused in public for no reason at all, like men? And if so, does it die down quickly?"

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—u/Zenith_K

Answer #1: "Usually when I lie down and raise my knees or legs in workouts and stretching. My body is literally like, 'Yes! Finally, you bitch — oh. Oh, it's just yoga. No, go ahead.' It does die down quickly, though."

—u/sneakerooni

Answer #2: "Yes to random arousal; depends on the situation and how fast it dies down. Sometimes I get randomly horny at work and then just sit there and fantasize about raunchy things — takes longer to die down that way."

—u/biwaterbender

Answer #3: "Yeah, but it’s not an issue because we don’t get erections. Just awkward and kind of funny."

—u/Date_me_nadia

8. "Do women prefer men to be open and direct about their intentions when dating, or is there a necessity for nuance, subtle signals, and such?"

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—u/SenatorTom97

Answer #1: "Clarity is generally better, although I'm certain there are women out there who prefer the back-and-forth and trying to figure it out. I'd always prefer it if someone made their intentions clear — that way, there's no room for accidentally leading anyone on or missing signals."

—u/Heya-Its-Me-Imoen

Answer #2: "This is the way. If I’m just a hookup, tell me, but don’t be gross about it. If you really like me, tell me, but don’t tell me you love me two weeks in."

—u/ScottlandyardRi

9. "When you're platonic friends with a man, do you want to be treated exactly how he treats his male friends? In terms of tone, the inside jokes, and the way time is spent, or is there an expectation to be treated differently as a woman? All in the platonic sphere, of course."

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—u/Slarien

Answer #1: "I just want to be approached naturally, and not much different from how you would approach a male friend. In my personal experience, though, I do expect more boundaries when it comes to sex jokes or physical contact. Otherwise, please treat a female friend like any other friend and respect what she says she is comfortable with."

—u/azuari

Answer #2: "I mean, depends on how you treat your male friends. I might also not be comfortable being treated like your other female friends. Isn't every relationship a negotiation between individuals? But if I see that you treat me differently BECAUSE of my gender, I'll feel certain sentiments. Women are just people too! Same as anybody!"

—u/msvivica

Answer #3: "I want to be treated like I'm me. All the things you're listing differ by personality and comfort level, not gender."

—u/carinavet

10. "How soon should a guy call after asking for your number?"

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—u/IAmNotYourMouse

Answer #1: "Unpopular opinion, but I don’t mind if I get a text a little while later that day. Actually calling seems like something to do when you make it official. Maybe that’s just me because I see phone calls as an inconvenience. The next-day rule would bug the crap out of me. If I was interested in you, I would want you to text me later after I gave you my number."

—u/NameNobodyTook

Answer #2: "The next day, for sure! If you call too soon, it comes across as creepy, but if you wait too long, then it’s implied that you’re not as interested as you first appeared to be. The next day is the perfect timing."

—u/[deleted]

11. "Does someone's job or profession change how attractive you find him?"

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—u/Danktanic420

Answer #1: "Not the specific job per se, but whether they have passion, dedication, or interest in it. I don’t care what people do for a living, and sometimes it’s cool to hear about their day. But if someone’s gonna complain about feeling as if they’re in a dead-end job that they’re just half-assing every day, but won’t do anything about the situation — then total turnoff."

—u/ReineTek

Answer #2: "If guys message and they say they are always bored, then it’s a huge turnoff for women. Women want that motivation and a guy who wants to get out, even if it’s just a walk in the park. Who wants to be the one to always comes up with the plans? I would go nuts if we always sat inside the home during off-work hours. Also, don’t make video games and streaming your main pastime."

—u/[deleted]

12. "How do you hide your period pain so well?"

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—u/Firemaster1577

Answer #1: "Honestly, the world doesn’t let us stop because of the pain. We still have to go to work, school, be moms. For me, if I didn't take magnesium glycinate daily, I couldn’t function. Three days a week, it’s unbearable if not for cannabidiol. Some women just use a bit of ibuprofen and they can manage. For others, it’s unbearable."

—u/cookingismything

Answer #2: "Years of practice. Painkillers help, and knowing what movements to do and not to do. But honestly, you get used to it because you have to. Nobody wants to listen to you complain about how much pain you're in, and nobody will give you three days off because you're in it, so instead of curling up in a ball and waiting for it to pass, you just carry on because what choice do you have?"

—u/CantChooseAFandom69

13. "What are some things that contribute to a 'dead' bedroom in a long-term relationship, and what might men do to resolve those issues?"

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—u/Organic-Ad9474

Answer #1: "A BIG problem for women is having to take care of the man, house, and responsibilities. If a woman has to nag or mother you, that's a turnoff. If she has to pick up after you, do all the cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping, remind you of plans, remind you of appointments, ask you to do things without you knowing you should do them, or beg you to make plans for once instead of saying, 'I don't care, what do you want to do?' — you are heading for a dead bedroom. If you treat her like a roommate or employee instead of someone you love, respect, and appreciate — dead bedroom. If the only time you show her affection is when you are horny, she will resent you, and dead bedroom."

—u/ZanzibarLove

Answer #2: "Don’t ask her to make you a list of what she wants to be done to show you’ll 'help' around the house. You are a grown-ass man living in a home. Assuming she’s got her hands full with a job or kids and isn’t sitting around waiting for nail polish to dry, open your eyes or do some research into what it takes to make a household run and just start carrying your own weight. If you’re a partner, you’re more than a helper."

—u/thayaht

Answer #3: "When you stop complimenting her or generally caring at all. Staring at your phone if she’s talking. Taking no interest in her issues. Generally being a cold asshole. That will immediately kill any intimacy. Just be nice and take an interest in her daily, regardless of arguments or stuff going on in your life."

—u/ccKyuubi

Answer #4: "A lack of communication and no effort. I think many people believe sex will just continue to happen in a long-term relationship, but sometimes it takes real effort and planning to keep the spark alive. Communicating about it is key. Talk to each other about what you like and what you don't like, and be clear about it. You have no idea what you could be missing out on if you don't talk about it!"

—u/Heya-Its-Me-Imoen

14. "The good ole classic question: Does size matter?"

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—u/forgetablepassenger

Answer #1: "Yes. Too big is a letdown for me. Eliminates more than half of positions, intensity, and how hard I can go. That being said, I would not break up with a wonderful man just because of his dick size."

—u/tcatt1212

Answer #2: "Yeah, I once dated a dude who would get light-headed every time he had a hard-on. Dick was HUGE. It was a shower, too, not a grower, so I swear he had to coil that thing up like a snail to fit his undies over it. Sex with him was underwhelming at best or bloody uncomfortable, depending on the position."

—u/hellouterus

Do you have any questions you want women to answer honestly? If so, tell us what they are in the comments below.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.