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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sexless Marriage

129 replies

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 20:37

AIBU to be utterly misreable (I am 38) - I got married last September, with hopes to start a family. My husband has had sex with me 4 times since then.

Amazingly, I did manage to fall pregnant in May but that resulted in an early miscarriage.

I started to track ovulation as a way to help conceive in April and asked him if he could make sure he has viagra in the house to aid his ED. I explained about the ovulation kit and how we should have intercourse at the time if shows a ‘peak’. I got a smile face on the test kit and was so excited! I messaged to let him know, he had not bothered to get viagra so we missed that month to try. I was very upset, less about not actually have sex, more about the lack of planning from his side.

I feel myself slipping into a depression, I see pictures of myself from last summer full of life and here I am in bed on a Friday on Mumsnet asking if I am unreasonable in floods of tears.

I feel like a fraud making an appointment at the fertility clinic when I know the route cause could be a lack of intercourse and intimacy rather than a medical issue. I want to support him and be kind. I feel this ‘secret’ about our sex lives is eating me up.

We were at an event two weeks ago where I became tearful and went outside, he came and found me. I started to tell him how I felt and he accused me of ‘using him’ (I have no idea where that came from) and that I was speaking to him like dirt. I was basically saying all of the above to him whilst crying, I was not speaking to him like dirt, I was letting out my fears about the future.

Our plan was to get married and try for a family and I feel I could have been sold a lie - surely if he wanted a baby he would be trying to get support and input by now. It is all me researching and making appointments. He has known me since I was 34 and I am now 38. I explained to him I felt he has already had years of my fertility and he will not be wasting a month longer going forward. I cry about the situation now most days.

I have researched all the fertility clinics (paid for the appt in July) and ideas such as home insemination (paid for a kit). I have been to the GP and organised some basic tests. I got and paid for some vitamins for him, he forgets to take them. You get the picture. I feel like I am pushing everything forward. I suggested adoption, he is not interested as ‘he doesn’t want some randoms genes in his house’. I then said what does he think about sperm donation / egg donation if it transpires there is an issue there - again he was reluctant as he wants his own off- spring. I kindly pointed out the reality of situation and that it maybe something we need to think about given the trajectory of things and this recent miscarriage. I discussed IUI as an option and explained how it worked and he seemed open to that. He seemed reluctant to use an egg donor or sperm donation. I spoke about getting a dog - he does not want a dog either. All of these suggestions are speculative as neither of us know at this point if there are any fertility issues. I seen myself with 2-3 kids but now I am slowly grieving a life without children.

What on earth am I meant to do? And most importantly, AIBU to be going out of mind about this? I have been as kind and patient as possible towards him, but I feel resentment and the instinct / possibility that he is actually quite content childfree with not having kids and has led me down the garden path creeping in. Although I would never say that to him and that is speculative. He is 51 - so a bit older than me.

He seems to continue his life as it was before he married me, golf - ski trips etc. He was away for four weeks in February time; combination of work trips and skiing (I do not ski), I think it was around that time that my depression about the situation really ramped up. All I think about is starting a family and what I can do about it, but he is off on another holiday or conference.

During the MC I was not only upset about the loss but also the reality of having to find a way around his ED / have sex with me in order to ‘try again’ and I felt that pit in my stomach that this could realistically be the reality for a long time going forward.

AIBU to be upset about this?

OP posts:
MakeItToTheMoon · 04/07/2025 22:21

Sorry OP you are in this situation. From what you’ve written he comes across manipulative. Even if you do have a child together, he doesn’t appear to be bothered about putting the effort in to help raise them… I guess actions speak louder than words.

Did he want to get married? Or did you have to push him toward it?

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:24

MakeItToTheMoon · 04/07/2025 22:21

Sorry OP you are in this situation. From what you’ve written he comes across manipulative. Even if you do have a child together, he doesn’t appear to be bothered about putting the effort in to help raise them… I guess actions speak louder than words.

Did he want to get married? Or did you have to push him toward it?

Nope and he wanted the big expensive wedding
I was happy to elope and go for dinner afterwards
the day after the wedding he asked me for money to pay 1/2 of it 🤣 - he was not slow

OP posts:
MakeItToTheMoon · 04/07/2025 22:28

He really is a piece of work isn’t he. Is there anything that you like about him? (At the moment his guy has nothing going for him to even consider having a baby with).

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:30

MakeItToTheMoon · 04/07/2025 22:28

He really is a piece of work isn’t he. Is there anything that you like about him? (At the moment his guy has nothing going for him to even consider having a baby with).

Not at the moment no

OP posts:
Undertherainbow00 · 04/07/2025 22:30

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 20:46

I think he is embarressed about his ED

Do you think it’s possible that his ED has worsened? Possibly embarrassed…? Possibly he is worried about having an underlying health issue…? His response to your conversation was obviously him being defensive - the problem is you don’t know why? What was his communication like before you married? You obviously discussed having a family prior to this? But he obviously isn’t explaining what his reluctance is to creating said family. I think maybe write him a letter and explain your feelings and concerns about him. If he won’t open up, then I’m afraid that’s on him, not you. You are 38 and I can imagine all you can hear is the ticking of your biological clock. You will have to put yourself first in the near future - if you want a biological child of your own, then maybe you will have to find a different path.

jazzhands84 · 04/07/2025 22:34

Start your new life on Saturday, start dating and find someone, tell your husband it's over (and don't listen to any nonsense about trying harder, he's had plenty of time), and go for the appointment and have a baby on your own. Or with someone else, but not him.

I have a beautiful 13yo upstairs snoring away. I had her on my own and have not regretted a single moment. She is absolutely perfect. Yours will be too

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:34

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 20:45

He says he does want children
It was one of the main things we spoke about before getting together
I explained his actions do not appear aligned to a man wanting children - to which he has assured me he wants children
he is now making some appointments with his GP and agreed to trial AI at home and make sure he has Viagra in the house - fine, but it has taken me pushing it to get this far

We did have sex more in the beginning but less as the relationship went on

He is valid to change his mind about not wanting kids unfortunately, and it sounds like he has. A miscarriage is also distressing for both parents- I think some people forget this- and he might want to take a break before trying again. He may be grieving, he may not want to see you in pain and grieving yourself if you miscarry again.

if he had a low sex drive before marriage as the relationship went on, then you shouldn’t have married him. Rather than marrying and hoping he would change.

you need to have a talk about whether he actually still wants a child. If he’s open about not wanting one, that’s something you guys will have to deal with as a couple.

I would also take a break from tracking cycles/ researching into conceiving tips/ talking about it for now until you’ve had this conversation.

MakeItToTheMoon · 04/07/2025 22:34

I hope you do get the child you long for even if it’s with him. Funny how the desire for a child overrides our logical brain. It may not be an ideal situation you are in but I do understand.

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:36

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 20:45

He says he does want children
It was one of the main things we spoke about before getting together
I explained his actions do not appear aligned to a man wanting children - to which he has assured me he wants children
he is now making some appointments with his GP and agreed to trial AI at home and make sure he has Viagra in the house - fine, but it has taken me pushing it to get this far

We did have sex more in the beginning but less as the relationship went on

He may have changed his mind.

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:37

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:36

He may have changed his mind.

He told me tonight he wants children

OP posts:
rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:40

jazzhands84 · 04/07/2025 22:34

Start your new life on Saturday, start dating and find someone, tell your husband it's over (and don't listen to any nonsense about trying harder, he's had plenty of time), and go for the appointment and have a baby on your own. Or with someone else, but not him.

I have a beautiful 13yo upstairs snoring away. I had her on my own and have not regretted a single moment. She is absolutely perfect. Yours will be too

I feel he has had plenty of time too - this was the conversation at the event a couple of weeks ago. I told him you have had a few of my last fertile years to try and now look at the situation I am in, getting myself hysterical and contacting fertility clinics. I feel like he could have dragged it out on purpose knowing it would be harder for me to have a child and then give up with no chance of having my own children

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:40

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:37

He told me tonight he wants children

He may not be being completely honest with you. From what you’ve written he seems to be making excuses, and if he doesn’t want sex there is really not much you can do unless you’re willing to end the relationship.

he mah just want a break from TTC after the heartache of miscarriage and the stress of all the cycle tracking and appointments. He may feel like he’s a glorified sperm bank if you are only concentrating on TTC.

unfortunately you may have to agree to park the idea now and talk further down the line. I would set a date, say six months, and if you can’t agree by then you may need to rethink you’re marriage.

i would not be going for adoption or a donor just because he doesn’t want to try for a baby himself. Both parents have to be 1000% all in and he’s clearly not.

IMO he’s telling you what you want to hear

Swiftie1878 · 04/07/2025 22:41

I’m afraid that he is gay and you are his shield relationship.
Even if this is not so, you need to get out. This guy is not going to be a part of the life you aspire to.

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:42

jazzhands84 · 04/07/2025 22:34

Start your new life on Saturday, start dating and find someone, tell your husband it's over (and don't listen to any nonsense about trying harder, he's had plenty of time), and go for the appointment and have a baby on your own. Or with someone else, but not him.

I have a beautiful 13yo upstairs snoring away. I had her on my own and have not regretted a single moment. She is absolutely perfect. Yours will be too

Would you say the same to her husband if he wanted children and OP didn’t?

okydokethen · 04/07/2025 22:42

How old is he? Does he actually want a baby?

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 04/07/2025 22:47

FFS
He's financially abusive, he's much older than you, he's sexist, he has ED which he won't address and tbh he's too old to be a first time father.

Have you experienced a lot of trauma in your past? How on earth is this your life?

DoYouReally · 04/07/2025 22:52

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:37

He told me tonight he wants children

He told you he wants children?

Based on husband actions, it's the same as saying he wants to win the potto, but never buys a ticket!!!

This isn't a health relationship. Finance situation is totally messed up. Wants a child but doesn't want sex. No effort to fix ED problems, the wedding conversation, the cleaning conversation....it's all just bullshit.

You are better off going it alone using speem donation. Essentially that's all he would be even if you did get pregnant. He's not a partner.

And for the love of God, go immediately to HR and get your wages switched to an account in your sole name.

Chiseltip · 04/07/2025 22:54

Gettingbysomehow · 04/07/2025 21:54

Nonsense. I don't miss not having a father at all.

Yes you do, you just don't understand what your missing because you don't have a father.

Chiseltip · 04/07/2025 22:57

GivingUpFinally · 04/07/2025 22:00

It's completely a viable option. Sometimes having a two parent household is more damaging than not. There are many people who have been raised by single parents successfully and with much better outcomes than if waste of space fathers were in the picture. You're being deliberately cruel when clearly the op is grieving the future she thought she would have. Be kind, it's not that difficult.

It's about what the mother wants, not what the baby would want.

It's me! Me! Me!

It's cruel and should be banned.

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:57

OP, does he have children already?

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:58

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 22:57

OP, does he have children already?

Nope no children
he hadnt been in a relationship until he met me

OP posts:
AffableApple · 04/07/2025 22:59

He takes your money. You don't see his.

You pay for holidays. His mortgage? Probably most of the bills too? (Your marriage isn't very long, and I bet you're not on the deeds, so please get some advice on this.)

He took half the cost of an overly expensive and elaborate wedding you said you didn't want off you.

He thinks you're his cleaner after you spent "months" cleaning and organising, so he says he doesn't need one - after you said you wanted one.

He says he wants children but apparently actively pursues not having any through his actions/inactions.

He accused you of "using him". Which is probably classic transference, and means he knows he's using you.

If you stay with him you will have this man-child to look after forever, instead of a chance of your own, actual family life.

simsbustinoutmimi · 04/07/2025 23:00

rosesandkisses · 04/07/2025 22:58

Nope no children
he hadnt been in a relationship until he met me

ah. So he is used to bachelor life.

its probably a big thing for him to settle down, let alone marry. At the age he is, I truly don’t think he actually wants children. If he did, he would want them ASAP before he gets too old to be a dad. At this age, he will be mid sixties when they’ve just got into their teens.

he should not have lied to you, but you shouldn’t have children with this man. Nothing could convince me he was up for having children 100%. He would probably be expecting you to do all the night feeds and hard work.

MaidOfSteel · 04/07/2025 23:13

Please see a solicitor as soon as possible and take steps to end this very one-sided marriage. He’s stringing you along, OP.
Youve already taken the first step in your fertility treatment. I wish you all the very best in this. You absolutely can do this alone.

saltnpepperchips · 04/07/2025 23:34

Dont waste another minute with this loser. I have a beautiful boy born by sperm donation as my boyfriend at the time was older and didn’t want more kids. I haven’t regretted it for a single moment. My son is happy and well adjusted and surrounded by a loving family - grandparents, aunts uncles cousins and the ex boyfriend ended up as a sort of bonus uncle! He will never be shunted between 2 houses like some of his little friends whose parents have split. I haven’t had to compromise on how to bring him up parenting techniques etc and or waste my energy on a crap relationship- he’s an absolute delight and the best thing I ever did. Do not waste your fertile years on this guy time is of the essence here. Wishing you all the luck in the world xx

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