Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

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

1 2 3

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

This isn't normal, is it? (sex)

60 replies

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 10:36

Don't know how to put this so am just going to be blunt; when we DTD, I feel like I am in bed with my brother (or something like that). Not turned on in the slightest. And it's not for lack of attention or technique. What is wrong with me?!

He's my best friend and everything else is great. I don't want to chuck away a brilliant relationship over this one thing. Am on the pill but that's not the problem.

How can I fix this?

OP posts:

Report

akawisey · 15/02/2014 10:39

How long have you been together and how long has it been like this? Have you talked about it with him?

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 10:43

3 years... A while - it's a bit up and down.

No, I wouldn't know what to say...

OP posts:

akawisey · 15/02/2014 10:44

A bit up and down is usual in established relationships. Do you fancy him when you see him across a room, that kind of thing?

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 10:48

I'm so used to him I find it hard to tell! But yes, I think so. In a loving 'you're cute' way as opposed to 'wow, you're really hot'. Although occasionally I do think he looks really delish - so maybe that's a good sign? So much of sex is psychological isn't it? I don't want to feel like this! Do other people get this too then? It just seems wrong

OP posts:

akawisey · 15/02/2014 10:57

Sex is linked to other areas of your life - is he behaving more like a brother in other areas which is affecting how attracted you are to him sexually? Other people do go through this, of course they do, but I don't think it's possible to generalise.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/02/2014 11:05

I think when you say 'best friend' that's your problem. Best friends don't necessarily make for lovers. I had the hots once for a man I used to work with. We were perfect for each other and had a great friendship and connection, but then I snogged him and, to my eternal disappointment, there was nothing. No sexual spark whatsoever. It was like kissing my granny.

I don't think you can 'fix' absence of spark. Sorry

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 11:10

I'm not sure. What is behaving more like a brother as opposed to a partner?

OP posts:

SomewhereBeyondTheSea · 15/02/2014 11:12

Being on the pill can totally kill your sex drive. How do you feel about other men, do you fancy them? I mean in a 'could imagine shagging' kind of way.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/02/2014 11:15

What distinguishes a brother or best friend from a partner is sexual attraction. QED

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 11:18

That's a difficult one. I find other men attractive/sexy looking, and notice this, yes - but I don't ever really find myself thinking about shagging someone until I actually know them.

OP posts:

akawisey · 15/02/2014 11:19

I mean some relationships start out all bells and whistles sexually but evolve over time into something which feels quite different. If that were the case it might not be all doom and gloom.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/02/2014 11:24

Other men are not your concern right now. A good relationship requires a degree of honesty. If things aren't right in an important area of a relationship and you're concealing your true feelings because he's a good mate and you don't want to cause any upset, then you're not really being honest. You can live with it for now which is fine but, if nothing changes, you're going to find it increasingly difficult that something's missing. It's not his fault but I think he might be the one that ends up suffering...

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 11:26

I know, but what on earth can I say?! Things were good at the beginning and I just wish I could get that back.

OP posts:

DiscoBiscuits · 15/02/2014 11:34

Being on the pill destroyed my sex drive. I had no idea how much until I came off it to TTC the difference was a revelation to me (and him!)
Is using another form of contraception and option?

maleview70 · 15/02/2014 11:35

If you feel like this now, it will get worse until you hardly sleep together anymore.

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 11:53

I don't know but I feel awful :( how on earth do you ever find someone who checks all the boxes?!

OP posts:

SomewhereBeyondTheSea · 15/02/2014 12:07

I didn't mean to suggest that you should consider shagging elsewhere btw; just trying to establish whether it's just your DP who you don't feel sexually attracted to, or whether it's a wider issue of a drop-off in your libido.

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 12:13

No I don't think it's a wider issue. Possibly a c

OP posts:

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 12:15

Sorry posted too soon.

Possibly a fear of commitment thing.

The thought of leaving and starting again is scary. It would feel like taking 10 steps backwards. Also, we're in London, so it would mean moving back into a shared house :s I don't even know who I am any more without him, and can't imagine the type of guy I would be better suited with!

OP posts:

DameFanny · 15/02/2014 12:16

How do you feel if you have a really good sniff of his skin just where the ear joins the neck? It's a good way of getting a quick hit of the pheromones he's putting out - might wake up that part of you that's going on automatic?

thecircleline · 15/02/2014 12:22

Ha, yeah I'll try that.

Actually, I have talked to him about it before, but I put it as 'I'm worried we're more friends than anything'. He took it pretty well but I don't think he feels that's way, although he says he understands what I mean. But there's not exactly much he can do about it, is there, it's all in my head. There is of course also the argument that friendship is a pretty good basis for marriage?

OP posts:

Auntimatter · 15/02/2014 12:23

Why are you jumping to "I've got to leave him"?

If things used to be good, then you went on the pill and moved in together, and now they're less sexy, that doesn't seem to be the obvious thing to try.

What about coming off the pill & using something else, doing sexy stuff that isn't in bed, trying something a bit different. All the usual stuff that people who are a bit bored in the bedroom try.
Are you on any other medication? That might be having an effect also.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

justiceofthePeas · 15/02/2014 12:31

Are you suffering any external stress? Do you find when you are in bed you are not actually concentrating and your mind is wandering?

You may be suffering reduced libido due to stress?

Also, if he isn't there / you have not DTD for a bit do you feel any need for release? Or do you ever get aroused when he is not about?

I.e. if you never feel like it then it is likely the problem is not your level of attraction to him but if you do feel aroused right up until he gets involved then that relates to how you see him...could be you just don't fancy him or it could be you are harboring resentment about something.

akawisey · 15/02/2014 12:35

That's why I asked about the quality of your relationship OP rather than focussing everything upon you. It's just a different way of approaching the dilemma.

I'm beginning to think you're quite young and maybe commitment means 'settling for less' in some way. Just a thought. Chuck it if it doesn't fit.

thecircleline · 18/02/2014 09:48

Apologies for the silence - been mulling things over.

Is 28 young? Feeling pressured that we're coming up to prime marrying/having babies age.

This is so annoying. He's perfect! Why is it always the slightly arrogant ones who are so much more of an attraction?! I don't want to waste 5 years chasing round after them.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.