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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dh and live sex cams

145 replies

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 06:24

Ok I’m spiralling. Please tell me if I’m overreacting. I was faffing with my dh’s phone (why he was sat in the same room as me) deleting deleted photos, clearing caches, freeing up storage etc as he’s rubbish with any form of technology. Whilst I was doing that I seen his history and just started scrolling. I was actually laughing at the random stuff he’d googled as I do the same just search for crap. Next thing comes up searches for porn. He looked at it late on Sunday and Monday night whilst I was in the house asleep on the sofa.

He’s watched porn before as have I and very occasionally we watched it together but that was like 20 years ago when we were young. We are in our late 40’s now and more aware and mature or so I thought! Anyway back to the present I am worried about this as the stuff he searched stated it was primarily for live sex cams. For me this feels worse as it’s more intimate and personal.

I couldn’t hold in my upset and frustration so as soon as our teenage/adult dc were out of ear shot I confronted him about it. To be fair he didn’t try to deny but then he couldn’t really when it was there in black and white. He stated quite clearly that he hasn’t made an account in order to interact/pay for content and he simply watched the free content. Like that was supposed to make me feel better. I said some things in anger that I probably shouldn’t have but only because at one point he got borderline angry with me and in my head I’m thinking wtf how dare you! He later said that he understands what he did has upset me and he apologised but then later said it’s just a bit of porn which infuriated me.

Now don’t get me wrong in general I don’t usually have an issue with him watching porn as long as it’s not severe, including really young women, and not violent. and as long as it’s not affecting our sex life. He said he watches it very occasionally and I actually can believe that part of it for various reasons but in this instance it’s made me think I am not enough. I say that because when he watched it on Sunday evening we had already had sex Sunday morning so I was left thinking was it crap hence why he felt the need to sort himself out. I pretty much asked him this and he said that this wasn’t the case and has no reflection on our relationship. But then he later said that he often sorts himself out of an evening if we’ve had sex earlier in the day. I asked him if that was meant to make me feel better because it definitely made me feel worse.

Before anyone says it I have absolutely no issue with him sorting himself out I mean why would I but I worry about why he feels the need to do it the same day we’ve already had sex. Just for context I have a high sex drive and would happily have sex every other day but I’ve compromised all these years as I know my dh isn’t up for that. It has never been a major issue in our relationship but now I feel like it is. I mean he knows that if he initiated any kind of intimacy it would be rare for me to turn him down and yes I get that sometimes men don’t want a full on sex session and would prefer to sort themselves out but as part of our intimacy we have occasionally sorted ourselves out but in front of one another which we both said we loved and is kind of hot. So knowing that I quite enjoy doing this why would he turn to porn instead of just asking if I was up for some solo fun?

I know it might seem like I’m overreacting but I can’t help it. If I was denying my dh any form of intimacy I could maybe understand why he’d feel the need to look at porn but with me he basically has it on tap. It’s me that’s often left frustrated as I’d have sex most days if I could. That’s why it hurts more.

OP posts:
MyElatedUmberFinch · 17/09/2025 12:25

MightyGoldBear · 17/09/2025 12:22

The same way sex works we communicate.

I can’t see how communication is needed, masturbation is about as private and personal as it gets.

MightyGoldBear · 17/09/2025 12:22

MyElatedUmberFinch · 17/09/2025 09:34

How does this work, you both have a discussion ever time you want to masturbate?

The same way sex works we communicate.

MyrtleLion · 17/09/2025 12:07

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 08:40

I explained up thread that this post isn’t about him wanking. Why would I have an issue with this when I also do it? My issue is with how he goes about it? I mean do what you want within reason it’s his body after all but when you bring live sex shows into well no that’s not ok.

It's many things:

  1. Live exploitation of women, where consent is agreed on the fly rather than agreed in advance.
  2. It feels like a relationship, not just content. He's giving his presence and attention to a live person. It's not passive viewing. He’s choosing to spend real time with a real woman in that moment, sharing the same “room,” even if he’s silent. It feels more like he’s with her than with you. Paying for a clip can seem transactional and detached but joining a live show for free can feel more like sneaking into someone’s space - it’s personal.
  3. Even if he doesn’t engage the whole livecam business model invites direct messages, tips, or private shows. We know that watching porn leads to more extreme porn. The door to one-to-one interaction is open and one day he might get more involved.
  4. It's an emotional betrayal because he’s willing to invest presence and anticipation in a stranger. That can feel closer to emotional cheating than simply pressing play on a video, particularly when you were there and you had had sex that morning and you were probably up for it again.

It's like he's sharing intimacy with someone else in real time.

MightyGoldBear · 17/09/2025 11:56

ForWildLemon · 17/09/2025 11:07

So what choice would you make if he wanted to masturbate alone?

I'd also add in solo masturbation alone again. As the one with a slightly higher sex drive and no refractory time it wouldn't make much sense not to. We would just have to see how it affected intimacy between us. Having young children who don't all sleep through and busy lives we can often miss eachothers windows and intimacy can then fall off our agenda.
Focusing all our sexual energy on eachother has been wonderful for us feels like when we were first dating. It's a bit like watching a good box set together or going to our favourite restaurant.I only want to watch it with him or we have the most fun when we dine together so we are both happy to wait till we both can and we prioritise it.

He has said he much prefers this so it would be odd to go back now for something he gets less enjoyment from. If we are feeling tired and just want quick releases we just masturbate together. Often leads to more though which we both really enjoy.

Honesting · 17/09/2025 11:49

As long as he's only watching and not interacting, I don't really see the difference between recorded porn and live cams. If anything there's probably less chance of abuse or coercion with the live cams.

If he is interacting with the models, that's something else. But as long as he's only watching, it's the same as porn.

Which isn't to say a woman needs to be okay with her husband watching porn, but that's a separate issue. All I'm saying is if she is okay with it, there's no difference between live and recorded.

BauhausOfEliott · 17/09/2025 11:48

There's more than one issue here.

I've got no problem with my partner watching porn. I also watch it sometimes. However, I would probably feel different about live cam services. I think interacting with another person like that is quite different to watching porn - it's a lot more personal in my view. Of course everyone will have their own feelings on this, and that's totally fine; we're all different. But for me, the live cam element of it would be a problem. My partner knows that as we've discussed it before and he would feel the same about me watching live cams. I absolutely do believe that most men watch porn, despite what Mumsnetters often say about their husband not watching it, but I don't think live cams are necessarily the norm at all; I think the majority of men who watch porn just go on a site like PornHub and search for whatever type of act lights their candle. So YANBU to feel differently about him watching cam girls to how you feel about him watching porn.

The other issue is him 'sorting himself out'. Sorry, but regardless of your own sex drive, YABU to think he should be having sex every time he fancies a wank. They're different things and he is entitled to solo relief if he wants it. It's perfectly possible to want a wank without wanting sex. Just as women don't have to be available for sex when they really just want five minutes alone with a vibrator and a private fantasy, men don't have to be available for sex when they want five minutes alone with their right hand.

nomas · 17/09/2025 11:30

Live cams are not porn, they're interactive online prostitution, therefore cheating. He would absolutely go onto paying them for doing things.

VictoriaEra · 17/09/2025 11:22

WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 17/09/2025 07:16

WTF?!!

The OP's not asking about porn, she's asking about live sex cams.

That'd not porn, that's watching and interacting with someone in real time.

No, I wouldn't be ok with this, not at all.

Agreed. I would like that at all, OP.

WFHforevermore · 17/09/2025 11:15

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 06:30

I have no issue with him sorting himself out not one bit. But the fact he knows I’m poke to most things in the bedroom but then chooses to do this. That’s what hurts the most.

Having a quick wank takes 5-10mins, that why he does it. Probably cant be bothered to have sex and all the frills that go with it!

Dont take it so personally.

ForWildLemon · 17/09/2025 11:07

MightyGoldBear · 17/09/2025 11:05

No if he wants to masturbate he has full agency to do as he wants whenever he wants. However he respects the choice we made together and would check in with me so I could also make my own choice too. It's not about seeking permission but consideration. It's no different to if we had an open relationship that relies on good communication to be successful and fulfilling for us both.

So what choice would you make if he wanted to masturbate alone?

MightyGoldBear · 17/09/2025 11:05

Jellyheadbang · 17/09/2025 09:08

Do you actually mean if your husband wants to masturbate alone you would have to have a discussion first?

No if he wants to masturbate he has full agency to do as he wants whenever he wants. However he respects the choice we made together and would check in with me so I could also make my own choice too. It's not about seeking permission but consideration. It's no different to if we had an open relationship that relies on good communication to be successful and fulfilling for us both.

DiscoBob · 17/09/2025 10:34

The live cams is pretty grim. But the fact he fancied a wank not long after you had sex isn't a reflection on your sexual desirability.

I find that the more sex one has, the hornier they get. And wanking is a very different thing to sex with another person. You can easily do plenty of both. I wouldn't take it as an insult, put it that way.

LoopyLoo1991 · 17/09/2025 10:29

Confession time: I've had an account with a webcam girl for almost four years. She doesn't do much content - think she does mainly personal videos to order. We got in contact via a friend of mine who does onlyfans & chatted for ages before I viewed her content. She gave me a big discount as she can say to her male members that 'she's live with a girl' and it brings more of them in and more tips. Now she only charges me a very small fee for one-to-one stuff - us video chatting and getting off together. We probably only do it 3 or 4 times a year & she always alerts me when she's available for a quiet evening. She has edited one of videos - my voice only can be heard as we talk dirty to each other - which is available to download for £ on her website.
I can't get to see my BF that often - twice a month at moment - and he knows all this. Better than cheating and as I've a high sex drive, helps me scratch that itch when needed.
I've been watching porn since I was way too young to be doing so. It's part of everyday life now. He should have told you though. Secrets in a relationship aren't on.

Sabrinathewitch · 17/09/2025 10:28

Not all men do this BTW my dh certainly doesn't watch porn and no I wouldn't find it acceptable if he was watching cam girls at all lots of people on this thread seem to think it's ok but their not in your position it's not about having a wank but he's clearly out of boundaries for you OP and I actually agree with you i wouldn't be impressed one little bit with this

MrsSkylerWhite · 17/09/2025 10:21

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 07:09

And just so I understand things. Are you all saying live cams is acceptable? I mean would you be ok with your partners watching them?

I’m not. Absolute red line to me.

Shell18celhave · 17/09/2025 10:20

I think you are maybe looking at it wrong. It's not about you willing to do whatever in the bedroom & him not wanting you, The sole purpose of live cam is money. It's a bit of titillating to get you to sign up. He hasn't he's had a look at a little tease to help him pop out a quickie I suspect to relax him & help him sleep. How would you feel if he said "get ya tits out love" had a wank rolled over an went to sleep? No doubt there would be a very different post on here!

andthat · 17/09/2025 10:17

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 07:09

And just so I understand things. Are you all saying live cams is acceptable? I mean would you be ok with your partners watching them?

Absolutely not.

i wouldn’t accept this if my husband
was having mutual masturbation sessions with someone face to face…and so a screen doesn’t make this any more acceptable.

Trovindia · 17/09/2025 10:10

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 07:09

And just so I understand things. Are you all saying live cams is acceptable? I mean would you be ok with your partners watching them?

No I wouldn't. In fact when I read your thread title I thought "ex DH, surely?" because this is a deal-breaker for me.

You are allowed to feel how you feel about it no matter how many women on here will tell you it's normal and that you're overreacting. The key is to talk to him, set out your boundaries, and agree future behaviour.

ilovejam · 17/09/2025 10:07

whitewineandsun · 17/09/2025 07:58

this is probably why some men decide to rape because they’re not able to control that horniness

Wow.

😳😳😳

zingally · 17/09/2025 09:54

Eeeh... I find it hard to care about porn usage tbh. My DH and I have both watched it, separately and together. We go with the rule that as long as nothing obviously illegal is going on, it's fair game.

What is it about the sex cams you don't like? Your DH is right in that you only pay if you want the model to do something particular. If you can put your finger on what it is you don't like, it'll make for a much more productive conversation.

Digdongdoo · 17/09/2025 09:54

All the men coming to say it's fine. Gross.
I'm not a fan of porn in any form, but interacting live with women is a step way too far. I wouldn't be happy.

Digte · 17/09/2025 09:52

Jocellins · 17/09/2025 08:37

I spoke briefly with him about it last night when the dc were out of ear shot but I ended up getting rather angry which is unlike me so I said to him we’d leave it there as I’d lose my rag further and I didn’t want to. He briefly said he won’t do it again now he knows it upsets me but that’s as far as the conversation got. He said repeatedly how sorry he was and my sarcastic passive aggressive response was something like well maybe try not doing something pathetic you need to be sorry for.

He doesn't need to be sorry for having a wank to whatever he chooses to wank to.

You are a hypocrite. Porn was ok when you used it.

DaisyDoodler · 17/09/2025 09:50

Autumnpug7 · 17/09/2025 07:02

It's his body .he doesn't owe you sex
Your his wife not his owner ,you don't get to make decisions about what he does.
Having a wank to something visual, doesn't involve emotions or mean you have to consider someone else ., totally different to engaging another person in the fun .as long as your happy with the sex you have with him ,it's wrong to make him feel guilty for not wanting more

Totally agree with this. Sometimes I think people, especially men, can benefit from some private “alone time” as you can just concentrate on yourself and you’re not worrying about someone else’s expectations or pleasure. It’s a completely different animal to time together. As long as it’s not replacing you and it’s an “as well as” kind of thing then I wouldn’t see any issue with this.

BrainlessBoiledFrog · 17/09/2025 09:49

Op I totally get this. Ignore the posts telling you live cams is now the same as top shelf magazines in the 80s. That’s like saying well cheating is more prolific now therefore snogging on a night out is totally fine.

This would be a hard line for me and I’m sure lots of women and that is totally fine. I also get your annoyance that you have a high sex drive and he isn’t satisfying you but will himself. If he is wanking the night after sex he clearly also has a high sex drive but likes looking at porn and wanking!

Have a chat with him and explain that for you cam girls are a hard no. Also explain that him not satisfying you in preference of porn will of course cause relationship issues. Like others say porn desensitises men to normal sex - both the feel and the fact it’s visually women being directed and rarely having any autonomy. Cam girls are like directing a hooker. There’s clear payment for services. If he watches other men paying and directing them it’s also pretty gross. There are live chats with men egging each other on.

A man is entitled to watch what he likes legally and have the sex life he wants. Thing is so is a woman! I’m sure your DH wouldn’t like you sitting watching a man wank for you online.

Luckyingame · 17/09/2025 09:46

Autumnpug7 · 17/09/2025 07:02

It's his body .he doesn't owe you sex
Your his wife not his owner ,you don't get to make decisions about what he does.
Having a wank to something visual, doesn't involve emotions or mean you have to consider someone else ., totally different to engaging another person in the fun .as long as your happy with the sex you have with him ,it's wrong to make him feel guilty for not wanting more

Yes, and (I'm a woman).