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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Relationships

If DH and I don't improve our sex life I think it's over

36 replies

NeedYourHelpPlease · 31/01/2013 18:30

I've NC for this as I feel so sensitive about it. I've posted on this board before and got amazing advice. After a one night 'fling' (no actual sex) with a colleague, which was the latest in a long line of male-attention-seeking behaviours over the years I posted a desperate plea and MNers really helped. I was advised to attend counselling and I have.

Essentially, my counseller thinks much of my behaviour stems from my DH. I am in no way seeking to blame him for what I did with my colleague which was a shocking breach of trust and I feel horribly guilty. But I do understand why I behave the way I do.

DH is very undemonstrative verbally, with 'you look nice' the only compliment I have ever had from him, and only when he knows I've made an effort (ie we are going out to dinner). I might be shallow, pathetic and needy but I would love more than that. I would love him to begin a text 'hello gorgeous' or say something truly heartfelt.

The main problem is that coupled with the above, we just don't have enough/any sex. We only do it when he is drunk Sad. He is very cuddly and affectionate but it never goes further.

I know it's not right but I compare us/him to other bf's I've had previously (who were all over me all the time) and to the way men are portrayed (as horny buggers).

I've spoken to him a number of times about the above (without improvement despite reassurances) but I've hit a brick wall and am stuck as to how to proceed. Any suggestions? I love him and think he is the most utterly gorgeous creature ever put on this earth! He is my ideal man in every way except this and I'm feeling heartbroken.

I'm also, of course, desperately concerned that my bad behaviour of the past will repeat itself and everyone will end up heartbroken. I cannot bear the thought of him being hurt for even a second, but I can see a troubled path ahead if things don't improve.

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NotQuiteCockney · 31/01/2013 18:42

Is counselling an option for him?

Has he always been this way with you?

Does he show his love for you in other ways?

Does it seem to you like he has a low sex drive, or like this is something more complicated?

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SolidGoldBrass · 31/01/2013 18:43

Has he ever offered any reason as to why he doesn't want to have sex with you? Was he always less interested than you were?

Basically, someone who has, for a long time, been withholding sex while aware that this makes his/her partner miserable is not that 'lovely.' He is being selfish, because he wants the relationship to carry on as it is, because that suits him and he considers your unhappiness unimportant.

He may simply be someone with a very low libido. He may be gay-but-homophobic (men who have been raised in a bigoted culture often hate the fact that they are gay, and marry in order to convince themselves and others that they are heterosexual, but at the same time, feel little or no desire for their wives and therefore avoid sex). He may have a particular fetish that he is ashamed of and disinclined to share with you.

Have you ever discussed with him what might make him more interested in sex? And if he suggested anything, was it stuff you were prepared to try? (Not that you should do sexual things that revolt or scare you, of course).

If he really, really, isn't interested in having sex with you, then your options are to end the relationship or tell him that you will be seeking sex elsewhere. Because he doesn't have the right to enforce celibacy on you for the rest of your life.

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catladycourtney1 · 31/01/2013 18:44

I don't have any advice for you but I know exactly how you feel. "We only do it when he is drunk. He is very cuddly and affectionate but it never goes further," - I could have written that myself. Ditto the comparing with previous boyfriends/other peoples' relationships/how men are portrayed. The only difference is that, although I've been sorely tempted, it's actually him who has cheated (albeit a long time ago, before any of this was really a problem). And I've tried to address the issue in the past to no avail, but since I've been pregnant there's no point because he uses that as an excuse and refuses to appreciate that we ever had a problem before.

I hope you manage to sort this out, one way or the other.

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NeedYourHelpPlease · 31/01/2013 18:54

Thanks for the quick replies already.

He has never been a mad shagger(!) but we used to have a better sex life than we do. If I'm truly honest with myself though, it has been an issue for a long time (possibly with me really acknowledging it).

He offers an explanations which are; being tired, too many other things to do, we tend not to go to bed at the same time (he stays up late) and he also says I need to make more of an effort to come onto him I think I make a normal amount of effort which is always rejected - part of the issue is that I want to feel wanted by him.

As guilty and sick as I feel about cheating, the sexual spark and connection I felt with my colleague blew me away. He utterly desired me and made that very clear. I wish I could have that with DH but I know it will probably never be like that. I would be happy for even an iota of that feeling with him.

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NeedYourHelpPlease · 31/01/2013 18:56

Sorry my punctuation went a bit mad in that last post.

I have broached the idea of couples counselling with him and he is agreeable if not keen. He will really struggle to discuss these issues with a counsellor though.

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NeedYourHelpPlease · 31/01/2013 18:57

One final thing which is the most concerning to me - we are in our 20's and have no kids. I dread to think how things could be in ten years' time.

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AnyFucker · 31/01/2013 19:05

Erk, I don't know if I posted on your previous threads but if I did I probably told you to cut your losses now and move on

In your 20's, no kids, shit sex life, looking outside your relationship because you get no hot sex within it ?

I don't know if he is a bastard, but I do think you should leave him. In as kind and thoughtful way as possible of course, but the outcome should be the same.

Life is too short for this. Really.

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AThingInYourLife · 31/01/2013 19:09

"he also says I need to make more of an effort to come onto him"

That is really, really shitty behaviour.

He knows you want sex, he knows you feel rejected by him, and yet he is putting the onus on you to make sure sex happens and implying that if it doesn't it's because you didn't work hard enough?

He deserves a kick in the nuts for that little piece of manipulative bullshit.

Why not actually shag your colleague? Sounds like you could do with some sex with someone who makes you feel good.

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AThingInYourLife · 31/01/2013 19:10

20s with no kids?

RUN

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Absolutelylost · 31/01/2013 19:15

He may be gay-but-homophobic (men who have been raised in a bigoted culture often hate the fact that they are gay, and marry in order to convince themselves and others that they are heterosexual, but at the same time, feel little or no desire for their wives and therefore avoid sex).

This was the marriage I found myself in, after our second child was born we went without sex for two years. I eventually left, I couldn't carry on that way in the end.

I feel for you and I do hope you can get the situation sorted out.

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deleted203 · 31/01/2013 19:16

I think SolidGold gives very good advice as to 'why' he may want less/no sex and also ways of talking to him about it. I also think that you need to spell it out to him in very, very clear terms that you are unhappy with the lack of sex to the point where, if it does not improve - and rapidly, that you will be out of this relationship. (Either completely and literally - or you will at least be seeking sex elsewhere). I think you HAVE to make it abundantly clear to him that for you this is a deal breaker (being in your 20s and childless) and that there is no way you will be spending your entire life like this.

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CiderwithBuda · 31/01/2013 20:07

Leave.

I am you 20 something years away.

One child who was conceived through IVF. Haven't had sex since 1995. 1995.

I should have left in my 20s. I always wanted more sex than he did. I was always more demonstrative. He never compliments me.

We tried counseling. Twice. Last time he admitted that it wouldn't bother him if he never had sex again.

Why am I still with him? Because of DS. I forced the issue of getting married and having a child. And although he wasn't initially keen on having children he adores DS and vice versa and he is a great dad. And other than the physical side he is a good husband. We are ok. Although I do worry about what will happen when DS grows up and leaves home.

But I do regret that I stayed. I wouldn't be without DS obviously but I do feel I have missed out on lot.

And if you do want kids the pressure will be even greater on your DH to have sex and the stress of trying to conceive will lead to more problems.

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Junebugjr · 31/01/2013 20:17

I'm not sure it's you who needs counselling, as there doesn't seem anything 'wrong' on your side of things.
It's human to want sex , love, affection and desire, and if your being deprived of it, I can understand why you've looked elsewhere. Especially as your still young and have no children.
Be aware, if you do have children, sex tends to take a nosedive for a couple of years afterwards, so it's unlikely to get better if you go down that road with your DH.
Personally if he isn't willing to face this head on, and take an active role in getting your sex life back, then knock it on the head. Life is too long to go without the things your missing.

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cronullansw · 31/01/2013 20:19

Hey - can you send me your counsellor's details, so next time I get caught cheating I can get a note from him saying it's all my DP's fault.

And AF and SGB are saying the things I'd say; at your age, your position, maybe it's time to move on, but...... don't flick it away just yet - talk to him, in blunt terms, tell him clearly, precisely exactly how you want things to be and what the options are, it needs to be blunt and straightforward.

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AnyFucker · 31/01/2013 20:48

If I needed to (repeatedly) talk someone into fucking me, I would go off and find someone who didn't need any second invitations

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CityTiliDie · 31/01/2013 21:00

I am in pretty much the same situation just the other way round my DW has almost zero libido but doesnt want to do anythong about it. tried counselling but she stopped that after a few sessions.

No advice but just to let you know there are lots of us out here in the same boat holding your hand.

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SolidGoldBrass · 31/01/2013 21:16

Also, I think it's perfectly understandable for someone in your situation to have an affair, either as an exit strategy or as a way of being able to continue in a relationship that, for whatever reason, you don't feel able to call a halt to. In fact, I think it's quite reasonable for someone with a sex-refusing partner who is making no effort to resolve the situation to decide that s/he will discreetly and privately seek sex outside the marriage, because no one has the right to force another person into celibacy.

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Pinkerl · 31/01/2013 21:20

I think you should end it for both your sakes. You don't seem to respect him much, and that can't help him

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NomNomDePlumPudding · 31/01/2013 21:22

leave. either his libido is mismatched with yours or he just doesn't really fancy you - whichever it is, you can't fix it. don't waste any more of your time. (i'm sorry if this seems harsh, but the sooner you junk him, the sooner you are going to meet someone who makes you feel like the hottest woman in the universe)

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LaurieFairyCake · 31/01/2013 21:22

I would also wonder if his low libido was a medical issue and urge him to get blood tests for testosterone at the docs.

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NeedYourHelpPlease · 31/01/2013 21:44

Hi

Thanks for the further replies. I feel devastated at the thought of us breaking up but I'm not sure if things can be rescued from here. The thought of being by myself and for all the plans I had for the future not coming true is terrifying. The thought of him having to live alone without me there to look after him... I honestly don't know if I have the guts to end things - I feel pathetic admitting that!

I have booked a couples counselling session (news of which he has reacted badly to although we have discussed it over and over) so I'll see how we get on at that.

I appreciate the time people have taken to respond and the words of wisdom.

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NeedYourHelpPlease · 31/01/2013 21:46

And I will see if he will speak to a doctor about his libido as well - I do think he is interested in sex and probably 'looks after himself'. It's the bother of actual sex that he seems not to want.

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AnyFucker · 31/01/2013 21:47

You are not his mother, ffs !

he doesn't need you to "look after him" Hmm

you are wasting your youth...one day you will look back and regret this very much

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AnyFucker · 31/01/2013 21:47

he's big into porn, yes ?

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Helltotheno · 31/01/2013 21:59

OP it sounds like you think he can't live without you or something. I agree 'look after him' doesn't sound good if that's the dynamic you have as a couple. He'll be absolutely fine, no question about that. You're in your 20s, just grab life by both hands and enjoy it. You're flogging a very dead horse here...

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