How to improve wife sex drive? - or am I doomed?

[RDerby]

Ok, I know this is 'mumsnet' and I'm a dad rather than a mum but I am after a female perspective on whether I am being unreasonable.

My wife has never been overly interested in sex with me - when we first stated going out it was maybe 3 times a week. We got maried witihn 2 years and even by then it had dropped to once a week. It's really been downhill from there (been married 10 year next year - two kids 5 & 2.5). For the last two years it has been at most once a month (me always initiating) - which I think technically is a sexless marriage (

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I think your 'Ross' analysis is right, unfortunately. You weren't hired for the sex... you're the 'safe' guy. Tell me, is there much intimacy and affection in your relationship otherwise? Do you hold hands, snuggle on the sofa, are you tactile with each other or kiss in public? If the answer to that is 'no' then you really do have a problem.

[SouredStones]

I'm female and I could have written your post about my husband.

Our lack of sex is the result of other issues though and I'm working up the courage to leave him. There is only so much rejection a person can take.

[TeaAddict235]

Hey op, sorry to hear about this. I and friends get quite annoyed with some women who do this to their husbands, as they sometimes do it as payback and sow the seeds of conflict. I would ask her if she doesn't think that sex is part of a marital relationship, or did she only want to be impregnated. I don't get these women sometimes; if they find their husbands on dodgy websites they go beserk. What did you expect hunny?

Some of us are currently on a thread about getting our other half to do it more than once a week (that's my major problem with DH at the mo, who overworks himself at work, then is exhausted to do the deed.

[TheCrumpetQueen]

Sorry you're going through this. No advice as I'm in the same situation.

We're in counselling though, would she consider going to discuss things?

[stevea565]

10 times a year, you lucky sod!

We are just finally confronting the issue as I can't go on like this anymore.
I hope we can deal with it, else we are all in for a lot of short term pain.

You have to let her understand how it's effecting you and that you can't carry on like this.
If you've repeatedly tried so deal with it and got nowhere, it's ultimatum time.

[Tiredemma]

are you affectionate in other ways (other than in the immediate moments before you want sex?)

My Dp for a while only showed me affection when it appeared to be a form of 'foreplay' and this pissed me off.

When he became more affectionate spontaneously (ie hugs, kisses but not expecting sex) I found that I warmed to him more. And didnt feel as if I was just being used for sex.

[DubaiAnna]

If your wife is interested in improving the situation, she could try taking Maca (powder or capsules from a health food store). It's a South American superfood with known positive effects on libido (also taken for fertility and general energy boost). It's a simple thing to try and definitely was a help to me. Works within a couple of days too

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

The answer to sexual incompatibility is not to medicate women...

[gamerchick]

Your wife has said she's tired and you've mentioned your partnership in sorting the house and kids out.

You haven't mentioned your relationship as a couple other than you initiating sex. . Having rows about it etc. What do you do together as a couple? Do you laugh together..do you make her feel good about herself and visa versa?

[JakeBullet]

Your sex drives are different end of.....I am like your wife too sadly but it is about trying to find a happy medium and I suspect you will need joint counselling to help you both talk this through without it descending to arguments and making the situation worse.

As others have asked ....do you show lots of affection at other times? Hold hands, cuddle up in the sofa to watch a film wtc without this being seen as an expectation for sex.

It IS hard for both parties when sex drives are so mismatched.

[PumpkinsPieEyed]

Op I think you haven't got much option left, your wife says you ask too much and then says you don't ask enough and then your fobbed off anyway.

Would she consider marriage or sex counselling?

I don't believe she is withholding sex out of spite and just used you to get impregnated.It is not her marital duty to provide you with sex at your beck and call but she has to at least address the issue and be open with you about it.

If you both love each other then you might work out but I think you should consider what you really need from This marriage and if it isn't getting met over time then Time to split.

[RDerby]

Wow! - Thanks for all the quick responses. Other than the lack of sex - we are fine. We cuddled up and watched a film last satuday as it goes. We normally hold hands when we can (bit difficult when one is pushing a pushchair!). Also definitely not splitting as there is no way I am not seeing my two daughters every day (even just doing the normal day-to-day things with them) and would not be able to take them having a replacement 'dad' if my wife got together with someone else.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

If there's affection and intimacy in your relationship then it doesn't sound like a total train smash. The choices when it comes to incompatibility are broadly.... a) do nothing and suck it up b) keep expressing your unhappiness and try to reach a middle ground or c) reject the other person. a) will leave you feeling resentful in the long term, b) is hard work, c) you've dismissed so is a non-starter.

The other risk of a) or b) of course, is that one day someone will come along who lights you up, finds you sexually attractive, and your loyalties will be very torn.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

"she has broken her vows"

Mediaeval promises of regular sex are not part of the deal No man should be demanding she performs her 'wifely chore' or similar rubbish... If people are incompatible they have to work it through like grown-ups on an equal footing.

[Tiredemma]

"Also definitely not splitting as there is no way I am not seeing my two daughters every day (even just doing the normal day-to-day things with them) and would not be able to take them having a replacement 'dad' if my wife got together with someone else"

This has me me

is that the only reason why you wont split???

[Bythebeach]

If she wasn't overly interested in sex with you at the start then it sounds like you will have an uphill struggle! Add in the pressure of a young family and maybe sex just can't be a priority for her.

I have a lovely ex who I got together with when I was very young and stayed with for years and expected to spend our life together. It all fell apart after years fundamentally because although there was tonnes of love and like there wasn't enough lust. I never felt sexually wanted. I guess this is how you feel?
In contrast with my husband, despite three kids including a baby, the lust and sexual compatibity both ways is mutual source of enjoyment in hectic and overworked life. We manage at least once a week but it's lovely knowing we're in sync...would both like more if we weren't so tired! And there's lots of sexiness/affection that doesn't lead to sex
But I don't know how you get there if you aren't naturally into each other? It makes me want to ask why you married someone who wasn't that into you but that is completely unhelpful. Are the other areas of your relationship working? Do you have fun and like each other? It sounds like practically you share chores which helps to not build resentment. Have you tried no sex for three weeks but lots of kissing/touching type rule to build up the passion?

both like more if less tired! And despihhhvte having a mummy tummy etc

[Bythebeach]

Grrr ignore the last couple of lines...posting on mobile

[gamerchick]

I'm going to ignore wobblys post.. jesus

what else do you do together? i'm assuming you do the whole 'fancy a night out i'll find a babysitter for us' thing.

Or send her for a pampering without the kids every 6 weeks or so?

Does she get time out of the house without the kids to recharge (my husband shoves me out once or twice a week and takes over the house and kids).

Compliments.. do you give them to each other?

Does she confide in you about how she's feeling.. or if she's stressed or unhappy about anything?

[SolidGoldBrass]

Do both you and your wife get the same amount of leisure time ie time without children or chores, to do whatever you like (see a friend, pursue a hobby, go for a walk, whatever)? I notice that your younger child is still only a toddler and looking after a toddler can leave a woman with little or no energy for sex. Toddlers are often physically demanding/affectionate and that can sometimes make a mother feel that she just doesn't want to be touched for a bit, but having a break can help with this.
Do you and you wife like and respect each other and treat each other with kindness generally? Do you listen to each other?

[LessMissAbs]

So it wasn't a passion fest at the beginning of the relationship, but you both wanted the same things, which was to settle down and have a family. And now you have that, you naturally think a good sex life should follow?

I think you are very unlucky. A lot of people "settle" ie in not looking for the elusive "one", and stay quite happy. Have you tried counselling? Are you prepared to live the rest of your life like this? Is your wife prepared to lose you?

Wellywobbly I don't think many women who can financially support themselves would see the point in getting married if that was the way world still worked! Way too risky for them...

[gamerchick]

Man I agree with sensory overloads from toddlers. After you've had a kid climb All over you all day everyday once they're in bed the last thing you want is to be touched.

[AnyFuckerReporting]

I feel sad for you, this must be upsetting for you both but if there was never much sex, why did you settle down together knowing that things of that nature were likely to get worse over time, after children etc? And why had it become such an issue now?

I think you are sexually incompatible and you either come to other arrangements or split up. Something like this could really dent your confidence and erode respect for each other.

[PumpkinsPieEyed]

I'm at the suggestions that it is your wife's duty to keep you happy in the bedroom and if she doesn't you should find it else where.

You won't leave your wife for a sex life because of your need to see the kids then that is your compromise.
If you then cheat on your wife That makes you a very selfish human being and the damage you would cause to your wife and kids will be un measurable.

I really think you should seek couple counselling of some sort you are not going to get the answer you are looking for from here.