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Is once to twice a week sex enough in a marriage ? When does sex drive dwindle in men ?

643 replies

isitenoughnow · 08/04/2025 21:38

I just don’t ever feel up for it. The thought makes me feel sick. But I do it, as it causes resentment from my husband if I don’t.

anyway, he’s expecting it once a week- sometimes twice ( but more rarely twice ). Usually it’s once a week.

I am going away tomorrow for 2 weeks and usually he expects it in this kind of circumstance and will summon me soon.

I feel sick thinking about it. I just don’t want to do it.

I feel resentful of myself, of my body, of him. The fact that I just have to keep doing this or otherwise it’s a problem for my marriage.

when do men stop wanting sex ? Does it really need to be a weekly thing or could it be monthly or whatever ? I just can’t take it anymore. When I say no, it’s endless begging and if I continue to say no, usually sulking.

I honestly feel like crying tonight as I know he’s going to come and request it from me.

at the weekend I was worried about him as he was out in his fast car and I thought how sad it would be if something happened. But it did cross my mind that at least I wouldn’t need to have sex anymore.

anyway, I ask again - at what age does sex drive dwindle in men ?

OP posts:
OctoberandApril · 09/04/2025 14:27

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:22

Why does any victim of abuse stay?

She said she's happy with the marriage and the family set up. She wants to stay together as long as they don't have sex.

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:26

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:21

What does the law say about coerced sex? You're the expert.

Step 1 - establish that the coerced sex has actually taken place.

Thisistyresome · 09/04/2025 14:26

Haemagoblin · 09/04/2025 12:52

She has communicated plenty. Read the OP's posts. He knows she doesn't want it. He knows she is only doing it to serve his needs. And he bloody well knows fine well what 'no' or 'not now' means, but on a regular basis he is pushing past those very clear statements and begging, pleading etc until the OP gives in. What is the point of communicating any further when he clearly doesn't give a damn what she says?

“communicated plenty”

Well you are obviously a quantity over quality person. If you read OPs specific descriptions they are dreadful ways of communicating. From the oddly MN endorsed “get it somewhere else” thrown out during an argument, to the “you can divorce me but I won’t divorce you,” to the “I don’t know.”

OP says she has a problem and doesn’t want a divorce or to break up her family. Has no interest in sex buy has no idea why and no solution to the situation. This is a situation which is not serving either of them and most of the suggestions here are attempts to validate posters own prejudices. Fine but don’t pretend you are looking to help the OP.

The generalised “we had along talk and he knows how I feel” is very vague as so often with these posts there is always a “well I will want it at some unknown point in the future for reasons I don’t know and can give you no information about.” That is stringing someone along. The reality is that she has lost interest and in all likelihood it isn’t coming back. Her solution to date has been to “grin and bear it” which has made the situation worse, as it has put her off more frustrated him and set a really unhealthy dynamic in the marriage. The “the world ought to be this way” doesn’t really stack up to someone asking advice.

SouthLondonMum22 · 09/04/2025 14:24

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:19

No she has not told him - she has made it about frequency not a complete flat absolute permanent no. And the open marriage was, it sounds like, said in haste and not as part of an actual honest open discussion.

Omg he knows. We’ve talked about it many times. He’s just not the type to leave. He sees marriage as a final thing unless I cheat on him or leave him. It’s just how he is. I’ve suggested he can get out if he’s not happy with our sex life and any suggestion like that deeply hurts him. He thinks I don’t love him when I’ve said stuff like that.

From OP.

See, that to me suggests that he does know she doesn't want sex at all. Especially because OP commented that between several people arguing over if DH knows or not, hence the ''Omg he knows''.

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:24

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:18

Because she is not being honest about the reality of his marriage. She is not telling him I am not sexually attracted to you and I never want to have sex with you ever again. If he had that spelt out things would be different.

That's not coercion. Coercion is pressuring someone to do something they don't want to do. How is she pressuring him to stay in the marriage despite him wanting to leave?

Pepsipepsi · 09/04/2025 14:23

The posters above me have a point. I presumed that a frank and open discussion had already taken place but I may be wrong as the OPs don't make that clear. I would always advise clear and open communication first.
I can only see the options being carry on as they are, refuse all unwanted sex from now on and deal with the fallout from that when it happens, or divorce. I would never choose option 1 because my body autonomy is important to me.
I don't think it's that difficult to understand "I no longer want sex because (insert valid reason here) but other intimacy is still wanted. It doesn't mean I don't fancy you."

Fwiw I don't think the husband in this particular case is feeling sad and rejected. I think he feels entitled to sex from a wife and his wants are being put above the OPs wishes. Which is always abhorrent behaviour imo. It's not 1925 ffs.

Duechristmas · 09/04/2025 14:22

MiserableMrsMopp · 09/04/2025 13:27

How about it's the effects of peri/meno/menopause?

How about she has the beginnings of vaginal atrophy? NOT just dryness, but a shutting down of her system down there? Causing pain, tearing, shrinkage.

It isn't immediately obvious when it starts, but it can end up causing lichen sclerosus and even cancer.

Everyone just banging on about her just increasing her libido has no idea. OVER 50% of women will get vaginal atrophy. Some of you who are suggesting she just thinks about her sex drive will be in that category. Bet you'll rethink your perspective then.

I'm 50.
I know.
I also know a loveless marriage is not healthy for either party.

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:22

OctoberandApril · 09/04/2025 14:18

Why does she want to stay in the marriage then?

Why does any victim of abuse stay?

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:21

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:20

Apparently not.

What does the law say about coerced sex? You're the expert.

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:20

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:17

I know the law and what rape is.

Apparently not.

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:19

SouthLondonMum22 · 09/04/2025 14:18

Didn't OP say that they've talked about it many times and he knows she doesn't want sex? She even suggested an open marriage or for him to leave her but he said no to both of those things.

No she has not told him - she has made it about frequency not a complete flat absolute permanent no. And the open marriage was, it sounds like, said in haste and not as part of an actual honest open discussion.

OctoberandApril · 09/04/2025 14:18

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:16

As I've said throughout the thread she's being raped. The woman sounds completely traumatised. She is being bullied into sex that makes her feel sick and she dreads it. She says no to sex and he doesn't stop harassing her until she gives in.

Why does she want to stay in the marriage then?

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:18

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:17

How is he being coerced?

Because she is not being honest about the reality of his marriage. She is not telling him I am not sexually attracted to you and I never want to have sex with you ever again. If he had that spelt out things would be different.

SouthLondonMum22 · 09/04/2025 14:18

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 14:13

No, that's not what I said. She's told him her issue is frequency, not desire. His issue would appear to be that, in spite of saying she sometimes desires sex, she doesn't ever initiate it!

As I've said throughout this thread, her only option is to tell him she doesn't fancy him, and wants a sexless marriage.

Didn't OP say that they've talked about it many times and he knows she doesn't want sex? She even suggested an open marriage or for him to leave her but he said no to both of those things.

Haemagoblin · 09/04/2025 14:18

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 13:08

The OP has said it's sex in general.

She hasn't actually - she's said she goes off sex in LTRs after about 5 years. So it is specifically sex with her husband, the familiarity makes it not exciting for her any more.

I do think there are ways they could both get around this (fantasy and roleplay, maybe doing something new together to spark excitement and new sharing). But the issue isn't that her libido is broken and needs fixing with chemicals or whatnot. This is a pattern for her.

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:17

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:16

You do not have the authority to tell a woman what she is being.

I know the law and what rape is.

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:17

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:14

No he’s being coerced into staying into a marriage where he will never be happy.

How is he being coerced?

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:16

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:16

As I've said throughout the thread she's being raped. The woman sounds completely traumatised. She is being bullied into sex that makes her feel sick and she dreads it. She says no to sex and he doesn't stop harassing her until she gives in.

You do not have the authority to tell a woman what she is being.

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:16

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 14:13

No, that's not what I said. She's told him her issue is frequency, not desire. His issue would appear to be that, in spite of saying she sometimes desires sex, she doesn't ever initiate it!

As I've said throughout this thread, her only option is to tell him she doesn't fancy him, and wants a sexless marriage.

As I've said throughout the thread she's being raped. The woman sounds completely traumatised. She is being bullied into sex that makes her feel sick and she dreads it. She says no to sex and he doesn't stop harassing her until she gives in.

Riaanna · 09/04/2025 14:14

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:05

Ah, so he's unhappily having coerced sex with his wife. What a state of affairs.

No he’s being coerced into staying into a marriage where he will never be happy.

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 14:13

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:05

Ah, so he's unhappily having coerced sex with his wife. What a state of affairs.

No, that's not what I said. She's told him her issue is frequency, not desire. His issue would appear to be that, in spite of saying she sometimes desires sex, she doesn't ever initiate it!

As I've said throughout this thread, her only option is to tell him she doesn't fancy him, and wants a sexless marriage.

MumbleBumbleAppleCrumble · 09/04/2025 14:13

There are lots of helpful comments here. There are also, as in most of these sorts of mums Net chats, lots of very black and white responses.

Now absolutely you need to look at those posts by people highlighting things such as coercive control very seriously, and there are some good links shared that you should read. At the same time, it is so very hard in these sorts of posts – or whenever in a situation when you hear only the one view, and that edited and thought about for the audience and to put ones argument across – to really know what’s going on for both parties. You use very emotive words, that are certainly for most of us setting off alarm bells: words such as ‘summoned’ and ‘expect’ and ‘demand’. We, of course, now see some arrogant, probably abusive, arse, lying naked in the bedroom just waiting to be serviced by you. That may be true or it may be that these words come from how you feel (and feeling this is absolutely valid), while in fact there is a far more complex and possibly far less aggressive thing happening. We can’t know. You could well be in an horrendous and abusive situation (and again do read that stuff shared by others on coercive control) or you may be putting your partner across based on how you feel, while only ever raising the issue with him once in a while and then only when the act is wanted, in a sort of, ‘not tonight I have a headache’ way, and your partner doesn’t know that when you say you don’t feel like sex you mean ever, while he thinks this time.

You need to talk about this at a moment when sex isn’t something that’s wanted/ happening/ being rejected.

And you absolutely do need to talk about this.

There are quite a few on this thread who seem to dismiss the other person’s desires completely. Why? A marriage is a relationship and a relationship is about how two people work together to achieve something greater than either individual. Yours are two people living your lives together and, while there will always be some compromise, there should never be a situation that leaves either one of you deeply hurt, unhappy, resentful, or secretly wishing that the other one might just have a car accident this evening…!

Sex is – to most/ some/ many – a fundamental part of being in a relationship. If one person decided to withdraw that from the relationship – when the other still thinks it a vital part of their life and of the partnership - then it will clearly impact the relationship hugely. It certainly isn’t, as a few seem to suggest, just something that the other person just has to get over.

So you need to talk about it properly to your partner. You need to make it absolutely clear how you are feeling – that the thought of sex makes you feel ill, that you dread it, and that you feel that you cannot say no to your partner’s demands / requests for it – and then you ned to both discuss what should happen next, what might solve it, whether anything can - therapy, an open marriage, etc (and you need here to think about your own sex drive here, as you say it goes with long term partners, so do you actually still want sex, but just not with your partner?) - and if there is nothing there, no options left, then he has to decide whether a sexless marriage is something he wants. I suspect not and so you need to split up.

A quick aside on thinking about whether you both split up. There are many reasons people divorce and many reasons they don’t. As a child of divorce – and someone who now watches their best friend continue in a dreadfully unhappy marriage – I would only say that whatever you do, do not stay together for the children. I was far more damaged by the two years my parents tried to make things work (sitting on the stairs hearing them yell at each other, slamming doors, awful words, and nightmares filled with people screaming and shouting, etc.) than I ever was when they actual split up.

There is a second issue in your post(s) though, and that is that you say you have stopped wanting sex in every long term relationship (many???) you’ve ever been in. I think you need to think about that and seek help to address it if you ever want to be in anything lasting and loving.

It is true that our desire for our partners change over time. Sometimes our libidos change with age (though often it’s hard to split our feelings for partners from our general sex drive). It is absolutely true that ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. It is also true (and there will be many here that will attack this statement) that as our partners age and their bodies change we find ourselves less attracted to them. Now, of course, there may be new things there that we find just as sexy – even sexier – and love is always useful too, but these things won’t be the same things that first made us want to pull each other’s clothes off and spend whole days in bed together. And, of course, just as we notice those changes in our partners, so will we be very aware in the changes age has had on our own bodies and, perhaps, our self confidence takes a dive.

Equally, our lives change and our priorities and passions and goals. Companionship and familiarity and the life you’ve built up, and hobbies and friends and children and all sorts might take a far larger interest for us that the physical. But all of that doesn’t and shouldn’t take away from the fact that your desire for sex has completely gone while yours partner’s has not. There should be no blame in this, but it should not be swept under the carpet either. The same would be if two people went into a relationship both talking lots about their desire to have children, only for one to change their mind. No matter how good a life you’ve built, no matter how much love there might be, something fundamental has changed and that needs lots and lots of talking through and may well lead to the death of the relationship.

Maitri108 · 09/04/2025 14:05

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 13:51

I assume this is generalised (yes, such men sadly DO exist), because the OP's husband does not sound happy.

Ah, so he's unhappily having coerced sex with his wife. What a state of affairs.

SergeantDawkins · 09/04/2025 14:03

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 13:51

I assume this is generalised (yes, such men sadly DO exist), because the OP's husband does not sound happy.

He may not be happy generally but from what I’ve read he’s never said “no” after she’s given in to his summoning or sulking.
He still wants it and goes through with it even though he knows she doesn’t.

ChkChkBoom · 09/04/2025 14:02

Pepsipepsi · 09/04/2025 13:56

But he does sound happy to bully OP into sex.

I don't imagine this man is remotely enjoying having the entire onus to initiate intimacy placed on him.
He wants his wife to fancy him. Being told that she doesn't - at ALL - will no doubt devastate him. But still, he has the right to the whole uncomfortable truth, does he not? The OP must do the decent thing and tell him the truth.

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