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I can only presume my DH just finds me repulsive

15 replies

sunshineaftertherain89 · 16/05/2024 07:58

Married for 20 years. No sex for several years due to issues on both parts.

We drifted for a few years, but in the last few years we have really come back to together. We never separated, just doing more of our own things at the time.

He has developed ED. He said he was too embarrassed to buy Viagra, so I brought it for him. He has never taken it.

I initiate a lot of kissing in bed, he can pull away from this or say his mouth aches or is too dry from too much kissing.

I wear sexy undies, he barely notices and certainly never comments. I end up feeling stupid getting 'dressed up' (so to speak) and quietly just change back into my PJs.

Excuses in bed range from he has wind/feels bloated, me touching his genitals tickles him too much, he is tired, he feels ill, he has no energy. Last night he was apparently too hot and laid on top of the covers, whereas I was underneath them, naked waiting to cuddle and just be close (which he knew).

He knows I know he has ED and cant perform and therefore sex is probably not going to happen, I have told him there is no pressure and we can do other things. He knows there is no expectation for sex.

He is making me feel ugly and unwanted. I can only presume he finds me repulsive. I have (mild) body dysmorphia and self image issues. He knows this.

OP posts:
Solidlump · 16/05/2024 08:21

Given what you have said in your post OP I very much doubt this is anything to do with your body or how you look. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with your attractiveness though I totally see how this constant rejection is very undermining for your confidence.
It sounds as though your DH has issues which he is not being open with you about.

sunshineaftertherain89 · 16/05/2024 22:42

Ty @Solidlump

Anyone else got any thoughts ?

OP posts:
SharpWriter · 16/05/2024 22:48

Could it be that he's really upset that he can't perform and doesn't want to disappoint you? Perhaps he thinks it's better to make excuses than be unable to please you. I'm pretty sure it's not that he finds you unattractive OP - probably the opposite! Sorry you're going through this - it sounds awful.

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CurryandSnuggle · 16/05/2024 22:52

He could just be asexual.

SherlockHomies · 16/05/2024 22:56

After 20 years of marriage, a lot of people go off sex but that doesn't mean they don't love their partners or that they find them 'repulsive'.

How old is he?

sunshineaftertherain89 · 16/05/2024 22:59

@SherlockHomies we are both late 40s/ early 50s

OP posts:
taylorswift1989 · 16/05/2024 23:01

What does he say about it? I mean, outside of a sexual situation, does he have an explanation for why he doesn't want to be sexual with you?

If he just doesn't want to, there's not much you can do. Putting pressure on him is not okay. You have to accept it and then decide if it's something you can live with or not.

SherlockHomies · 16/05/2024 23:02

Ahh ok, not an uncommon age to go off sex really.

Octavia64 · 16/05/2024 23:02

Your behaviour does seem a little contradictory.

You say he has an ED so you are not expecting sex but you are buying him viagra, wearing sexy undies and wanting to cuddle naked all of which scream I'm expecting sex.

He might be feeling under a massive amount of pressure which is unlikely to do the ED any good.

PotatoPudding · 16/05/2024 23:06

You say he knows there is no explanation of sex but it really doesn’t sound like that’s the case.

I am cold towards my husband now because every bit of attention from him is with the aim of getting sex. He won’t even give a cuddle if it’s not going to lead to sex. I prefer to reel off excuses to stop it in its tracks.

NuffSaidSam · 16/05/2024 23:07

Maybe he's put off by the fact that you're making it all about you?

I'd have a proper chat with him or leave it, but all the attempts at getting him involved when he clearly doesn't want to sound quite off-putting.

PurpleBugz · 16/05/2024 23:43

Does he watch porn?

Is he stressed or is there a possible emotional cause for the ED that could be addressed?

Don't change back into your pjs. Your behaviour does seem to be pushing sex. If you just wrote 'sexier' clothes generally it won't seem like you are pushing? My experience with ED can definitely be blamed on porn and stress but when I'm having a dry phase in terms of sex drive being pressured for it will make it worse for sure.

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 17/05/2024 00:05

PotatoPudding · 16/05/2024 23:06

You say he knows there is no explanation of sex but it really doesn’t sound like that’s the case.

I am cold towards my husband now because every bit of attention from him is with the aim of getting sex. He won’t even give a cuddle if it’s not going to lead to sex. I prefer to reel off excuses to stop it in its tracks.

My XH was like this, saying theirs no pressure for sex just want to spend time together then turning any time together into something sexual. So I ended up avoiding time together when the kids weren't around. He was abusive as well so hopefully different kettle of fish from OP.

None of those things are non sexual or no pressure OP. Like my XH your words are saying one thing and your actions something completely different. Naked cuddling isn't no pressure. There is no way he's seeing this as no pressure. If you want to fix this, and it might not, you need to start by taking a giant step back, take sex out of the equation and start by just being together, no pressure, no sex, rebuild the relationship. Sit together, chat. hold hands, spend time just being together, but take sex out of it for several months at least.

Hereyoume · 17/05/2024 07:32

Imagine of your Vag didn't "work".

Let's say that there was the female equivalent of ED, and just like for men, there was no cure. Then imagine your DH was regularly talking about sex and cu. ddling and kissing, and then sulking when you didn't want him to touch you, particularly the part of you that doesn't work.

I don't think we can understand what having ED does to a man.

Maybe give him a break OP.

OmuraWhale · 17/05/2024 07:36

Honestly OP, to me it sounds more like he just isn't that interested in sex any more, not that he finds you repulsive.

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