To think relationships cannot last without sex

[Lockeddownagain]

I was reading an article that said some relationships work without sex.
I'm so interested in peoples views on this.
So voting is yes it can
No it's can't

There's no rule. Some can, some can't, it will depend on the individuals involved.

I don't really understand your voting system but of course they can.

Of course they can if both parties are happy with that- there’s so many type of relationships, as long as the two in it are happy I see no issue

Of course it can work. There are long, happy marriages that don't feature sexual intercourse at all, or none after the children have been born. It's purely a question of compatibility. Problems come when one partner wants a different kind of relationship from the other. If both parties want a close, loving, exclusive, tactile relationship but neither is bothered about PIV, then there's no problem. It's far more common than you realise.

Asexuality is a thing.
2 asexuals living as a couple I imagine would be quite nice. Like bestest friends that share everything but they don't feel the need to get moist and sticky... Unless they have cake for tea...

It depends. Some people are asexual so don't want sex at all. You just need to be sexually compatible with your partner. If one partner had a very high sex drive and the other a very low one, the relationship probably wouldn't work. But if both people are on the same page then why wouldn't it?

For me it would be no, but it would depend on the circumstances and whether there was any intimacy generally.

Friends of mine who've left sexless marriages the intimacy had also gone, and they were no longer sharing bedrooms

It’s Yabu or yanbu not yes or no.

No I don't think it can.

Putting aside physical injury where there is no choice.

When two people stop having sex, their relationship just becomes that of two house mates. The intimacy is lost.

I believe that is why so many people look for sex outside their marriage. That and men don't understand love making and are selfish, so sex is shit for women, who wants shit sex.

Only if both are ok with it; if one is ok with and one isn’t then I’d say no.

It works for some people, especially past a certain age - my friend gave me advice when I was dating in my 40's - make sure he's my best friend because the sex will dry up but friendship will last a lifetime. Not bad from an 85 year old with a 60 year marriage!

It depends on the relationship. If only one person is happy without sex then the relationship almost certainly won’t last, unless the lack of sex was of a reason which is likely to change in the future.

Oh and there's more to intimacy than sex, my friends can still be seen holding hands on the bus, so sweet

Only if you both want that.

I wouldn’t want no sex forever. We go through phases of lots then none for a while but we are compatible in that way

Of course they can and they do last.

Not everyone enjoys sex and they're satisfied with love, touching and affection.

There are plenty of couples who have a regular sex life without any love or affection.

I went through a long phase of having no interest in sex, DP never pressured me he was delighted when I had the want back, he is very huggy and affectionate that didn't change at all.

Then you've older couples who aren't interested and busy family with an unfair load who've little interest in sex.

I have long term friends with whom I don't have sex.

In a partner sex is a basic part of the intimacy. Or for me.

What a lovely husband and great relationship

My previous comment for Emerald

There are all kinds of relationship and some can last without sex between the two. I wouldn’t be able to continue if I couldn’t have sex with another partner though. Hypothetical question at present, thank goodness.

It absolutely can work but only if both partners are on the same page. Mismatched libidos is one thing and can often be compromised on but no sex at all...well I think it would be a stretch for most people unless both of you were asexual/not bothered.

Having said that me and dh haven't done the deed for about 4-5 months because I'm heavily pregnant and we're still ok

My DH and I are going through a tricky sex patch for a variety of reasons, all of which we are working to resolve.

Our relationship is great and whilst I miss more frequent sex I’d be happy to stay with him forever as it.

issues we are resolving are health, SEN kids to giving us much privacy, and physical, not deep relationship issues btw.

Only younger, healthy people tend to think relationships can’t last without sex. It’s a very narrow minded view.

This. Very few of my friends have sex any more. There’s a lot more to a long and happy marriage than exchanging body fluids.

Well mine has. DP is on lifelong meds that has killed his libido. It's been 2 years now and it hasn't changed what I feel about him...I love the man and can't imagine him not being in my life.

I don't really agree - I think plenty of relationships necessarily go through dry spells for a whole host of reasons. Mental health, physical health, stress, etc etc etc. Plus two people with low sex drives would be very compatible without having much sex.

However I don't think relationships can last healthily without honest and respectful communication about sex. IMO if one partner's sex drive diminishes or dies, it's up to them to start that conversation - essentially to tell their partner what's up and to reassure them that it's not because they don't love their partner or find them attractive any more. They should probably also discuss with their partner what they need or want to regain their sex drive and what their partner should do to support that. It's then the responsibility of the partner with the higher sex drive to listen, be respectful, not to sulk/pester/coerce.

But when some people take sex off the table it's often just done by a series of rejections without explanation, which is a horrible thing to do.