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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:
Offleyhoo · 04/07/2025 23:53

I don't say this lightly, but you must leave. You are only 38 and will find someone who loves you and wants an equal partnership. This will not improve and then you will be 48 wishing you'd done it 10 years ago. I really think you should start afresh right now, while you can.

Firefly1987 · 05/07/2025 00:09

Gettingbysomehow · 04/07/2025 21:54

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

Well if that's your logic why do people need to have kids? Can't miss what you don't have.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 05/07/2025 00:34

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.

This sums it all up.

It really comes across as if this man is knowingly using you.

Its easy to prove he's using you financially. Making you open a "joint" account, never paying into it and then taking out 5k at a time, probably to finance his ski/golf holidays without you. Insisting on a lavish wedding and then demanding half the costs After the wedding?

He's never had a relationship before and he's in his 50s?

Someone who keeps saying they want children, yet seems so emotionally unconnected to how you are feeling about your fertility or any of the research you have been doing or options you have been looking at. He also seems completely unworried or unwilling to discuss the lack of intimacy. He does know that's a requirement to create a baby?

The statements he's making about this just don't ring true.

From your description, he comes across as just carrying on living his pre married life and not really living a shared married life with you.

This sounds like an awful situation to be in OP, he sounds so manipulative. His reaction to you breaking down in tears as well.

He's wasted four of your fertile years... I think you cannot rely on him or trust that he means what he says when he claims to want children. Please think about whether this is a man you want to have children with or whether you'd be better off on your own.

SquishedMallow · 05/07/2025 00:36

Is there any chance your husband could be gay?

SquishedMallow · 05/07/2025 00:41

I know 2 people personally that married gay men. (Unbeknownst to them at the time )

Both wives were tearful and frustrated as their husbands appeared to have an absymally low sex drive and never initiated sex.

One of those men wanted children. As soon as two children were produced, he then came out.

The other one with apparently no sex drive and erectile dysfunction was caught online engaging in virtual sex with many different men and admitted he was gay when caught red handed but liked the 'set up ' of a heteronormative life.

Both men are now married to other men.

Wreckinball · 05/07/2025 00:44

I’d get to the fertility clinic so you can both be tested, you may need IVF anyway, if he’s still willing, but you need to be prepared to be a single mum x

simsbustinoutmimi · 05/07/2025 00:44

SquishedMallow · 05/07/2025 00:41

I know 2 people personally that married gay men. (Unbeknownst to them at the time )

Both wives were tearful and frustrated as their husbands appeared to have an absymally low sex drive and never initiated sex.

One of those men wanted children. As soon as two children were produced, he then came out.

The other one with apparently no sex drive and erectile dysfunction was caught online engaging in virtual sex with many different men and admitted he was gay when caught red handed but liked the 'set up ' of a heteronormative life.

Both men are now married to other men.

It doesn’t sound like this one even wants children.

MuckFusk · 05/07/2025 00:51

Do not bring a baby into a troubled marriage. It will only make it worse.
It sounds like he is not at all motivated to either have a baby or a sex life, which is his choice to make. However, since a sexless, childless life isn't acceptable to you and it's making you miserable, you would probably be best to go your separate ways. Looks like he may have sold you a bill of goods to get you to commit, which is unconscionable.

MuckFusk · 05/07/2025 00:53

SquishedMallow · 05/07/2025 00:36

Is there any chance your husband could be gay?

Or fucking somebody else on those many "work" and "ski" trips.

MuckFusk · 05/07/2025 00:55

Chiseltip · 04/07/2025 21:33

Yeah, treating someone like a walking sperm dispensary is so sexy . .

No wonder he doesn't want to have sex.

What ever gave you the idea that demanding a man get an erection and have an orgasm is.in any way appropriate.

If it were reversed and your DH demanded you have sex, people would call it abuse.

I don't see anything to indicate she demanded it. Please quote the passage you are referring to.

everychildmatters · 05/07/2025 00:55

51 is very old to be thinking about becoming a first-time dad. My husband was 44 when our daughter was born and she is categorically his first and last!! Little kids are exhausting so would a 51/52 yo father cope very well?

MuckFusk · 05/07/2025 01:01

Re; seeing his GP, promising to get Viagra, I have a feeling he might be buying time by pretending he wants this, hoping you'll eventually give up. I hope I'm wrong, but when you have to push for somebody to do things which demonstrate they have told you the truth, it's solid evidence the other person isn't motivated and may in fact be a lying liarface. I get the feeling you you suspect it too but you're going through the motions just in case. Just don't wait too long.

SnowFrogJelly · 05/07/2025 01:06

Why did you marry him?

JHound · 05/07/2025 01:16

he said something quite interesting which was very telling ‘we do not need a cleaner I am married to you’

Ew!

Dodeedoo · 05/07/2025 01:40

Chiseltip · 04/07/2025 21:33

Yeah, treating someone like a walking sperm dispensary is so sexy . .

No wonder he doesn't want to have sex.

What ever gave you the idea that demanding a man get an erection and have an orgasm is.in any way appropriate.

If it were reversed and your DH demanded you have sex, people would call it abuse.

Oh shut it!

MercuryRisingBeware · 05/07/2025 01:54

I'm sorry but it sounds like a lot is going on behind the scenes....

Kimwestonhelpless · 05/07/2025 03:29

To disappear for the whole of Feb is taking the piss in it's self plus all the other issues.
In all honesty op your better off out of it and come time be with someone else.

HotThroughHeat · 05/07/2025 04:51

Move your money now, move your next pay and leave.
Start the divorce proceedings.
He is probably gay, who does he ski/ golf with ?

Leave for a happier life, this is no life

Aoppley · 05/07/2025 05:14

Chiseltip · 04/07/2025 21:35

Having a baby by sperm donor is utterly selfish and cruel to the child.

It's a horrible thing to do to someone.

Deliberately depriving them of a father.

What a stupid comment. A bad father is far more damaging than no father.

Honestly I wish I had had no father. My life would have been so much better, and I likely wouldn't be dealing with all the mental health issues caused from abuse. As long as the child grows in an environment full of love, they will be perfectly fine with one parent.

rosesandkisses · 05/07/2025 06:15

MuckFusk · 05/07/2025 01:01

Re; seeing his GP, promising to get Viagra, I have a feeling he might be buying time by pretending he wants this, hoping you'll eventually give up. I hope I'm wrong, but when you have to push for somebody to do things which demonstrate they have told you the truth, it's solid evidence the other person isn't motivated and may in fact be a lying liarface. I get the feeling you you suspect it too but you're going through the motions just in case. Just don't wait too long.

This is what I feel he has done

OP posts:
rosesandkisses · 05/07/2025 06:22

Wreckinball · 05/07/2025 00:44

I’d get to the fertility clinic so you can both be tested, you may need IVF anyway, if he’s still willing, but you need to be prepared to be a single mum x

Yes mu apt is in a few weeks and I am prepared to ‘go alone’

OP posts:
FourLove · 05/07/2025 06:35

OP you are very unhappy and unsatisfied with this man. If you can’t work out how to leave or change things, counselling could help a lot.

rosesandkisses · 05/07/2025 06:36

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

Have I waited too long though to be a SMBC
I honestly wish I had not bothered getting married and just done it in my mid thirties (if I had known this relatio ship would end up like this)

The reason why I married him was as he was keen to have children; ironically. I had met many idiots and time wasters OLD who were just horrific, this one came along and on paper he was cut and above the rest. He had a good job, nice house, would message and not play games etc - so it was a welcolm relief. Little did I know it was all smoke and mirrors and there was a reason a guy of his age, who had it all good on paper, had never had a relationship. Hindsights a great thing.

OP posts:
SquishyGloopyBum · 05/07/2025 06:46

Just on the money side, look at the back statements for the joint account and add up how much he’s taken from there in total for the mortgage. If you leave him, I’d be going for that at least. I think you can also register a financial interest with the land registry.

rosesandkisses · 05/07/2025 06:49

SquishyGloopyBum · 05/07/2025 06:46

Just on the money side, look at the back statements for the joint account and add up how much he’s taken from there in total for the mortgage. If you leave him, I’d be going for that at least. I think you can also register a financial interest with the land registry.

He has taken 10k out of it since I started my new job in November

OP posts:
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