Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Don't know what to do, married and falling for another guy

33 replies

Anonperson2012 · 19/06/2012 21:43

Hi all

This has all become a huge mess, entirely of my own making. And if anyone has any advice/experience I would massively appreciate it.

I've been married 5 years (together 8), no kids. My husband is mostly impotent, so our sex life has never been brilliant. In the early years it was fine because he tried hard in the bedroom, but as time has passed he's stopped trying. After years of me literally begging him to see our GP about it I threatened to leave. He went to the GP about 3 years ago and has been going off and on ever since, but it hasn't improved. He's reluctant to talk to the doc and puts it off, then when he does get the tablets he rarely takes them. I've had a couple of massive meltdowns over it, and afterwards he tries for about a week or two, but then stops. He swears he loves me/fancies me, but he's just lazy and tired. For example, yesterday, after me nagging him for a few months, he went back to the GP and got a prescription for another set of pills, the exact ones that didn't work a year go. It's like he goes because he has to, just to shut me up. In other aspects he is a good husband. We are both self employed with our own busy businesses and quite independent, but he is normally caring and loving, if a bit preoccupied with his own work. I have grown quite resentful of him, if I'm honest and have told him this. He swears he will try harder, but doesn't. I have tried everything I can think of - I put him under no pressure for years, tried all the massages, oils, went to counselling, did everything he wanted and nothing has worked. The GP says the problem is purely psychological, but the psychologist says (apparently) that he just needs pills. But they don't work. Rings don't work. He gets normal erections to the point of penetration and then he either goes soft or immediately ejaculates. He doesn't seem to care, but it kills me.

I recently worked on a project with a guy. I was instantly attracted to him and everyone commented on how well we seemed to work together. We became close friends very quickly and started texting and emailing each other constantly. He's engaged, getting married later this year. At first he went on about me meeting his fiancee, but after a few weeks he stopped mentioning her, and when I asked to meet her he made some comment that she is working non-stop until October. I know that's untrue. We've had a couple of boozy nights out and have flirted dangerously. On the last night I was very drunk and remember being draped over him. Nothing untoward happened, but I would have liked it to.

He blows oddly hot and cold. One minute he's flirting and the next he disappears. Just when I get my head straight and decide that this has to stop, he'll reappear and begin flirting again. But nothing ever really happens, it's all suggestion and flirtation. We have mutual friends and they have told me that his fiancee has started asking questions about why we're so friendly, but his friends all dislike her quite intensely, so I don't know what to believe. I know she commented on something (innocent) I wrote on his FB page with a sarky comment.

We were due to work on another project, but he emailed me and said he thought we might be doing it for the wrong reasons, and maybe we should ease off. So I did, and the contact ceased for a few days but then he came back flirtier than ever.

I'm so confused. There is part of me that thinks he's deliberately keeping me dangling, and then part of me that thinks he's as confused as I am about the whole thing. I wonder if he's just looking for his final fling, or convincing himself he can still pull if he has to. As far as he is concerned I am happily married.

I'm aware that I am vulnerable. I want a man to find me sexually attractive and I really want to go to bed with someone who actually wants to be there with me. It's not like this is the first guy who has shown any interest in me since I've been unhappy in my marriage, a few have, but I've never liked any of them until now.

My instinct says this guy is bad news, but when he calls I find myself running. I know better than that, but there is something about him I don't seem to be able to resist. I've always been straightforward in relationships. I've never played games and always told someone if I like them, but the rules are different here. I almost want to ask him outright if he thinks there is something between us, but I am scared he's playing me and it's all going to be a laugh at my expense. Or he wants out of the marriage and I am a convenient excuse. But there is something nagging me saying there's more to it than that.

I'm bloody confused. I know I should break off all contact with this guy, but I don't want to. How do I make myself? How do I fix things with my husband? I don't know how to make him understand that things are on the verge of collapse when I have tried everything.

I don't know what to do. Any advice, please?

OP posts:
AnastasiaSteele · 19/06/2012 21:53

Of course you don't want to break contact off, you're getting attention and it's like a drug when you've been craving affection. If your instinct says he's bad news, I'd listen to that - he doesn't sound very consistent.

Counselling might be good for you - and your husband. Also, maybe you could tell him about your thoughts, your mind wandering and say you don't want anything to happen to destroy your marriage, so he knows you're vulnerable and can help you work through this. If you keep it secret, you're heading towards dangerous waters.

If you have an affair, it's likely your self esteem will take another massive hit and if you break up your marriage for this man and it turns out not to be worth it, will you regret it?

Taking this potential OM out of the equasion, can you stay in your marriage? Are you looking for an exit affair? Time for some soul searching, I wish you luck.

Abitwobblynow · 19/06/2012 22:41

Please don't make this big mistake. That man is using you. But as Mrs Steele says, it looks as though you are looking for an exit affair.

Exit without the affair, really. You CAN live on your own. There ARE nice unattached men who won't blow hot and cold, and the sight of you will give them raging hardons.

Your H doesn't want to change, and you cannot change him. You can't. This lack of physical connection is clearly really important to you. You CAN'T live without being desired and physically loved, can you? Or can you? Only you can answer that question.

Anonperson2012 · 19/06/2012 23:05

AnastasiaSteele & Abitwobblynow - thank you for your replies. Maybe it is the attention I like, but I do get attention from guys. It's just this guy has sent me a bit daft. But I am scared that he's a player. He probably is, isn't he? I think I know I am being played, but I'm letting it happen - Jesus I'm a 40 year old woman, not a teenager.

I've told H that I'm scared I'll cheat. He gets upset and tells me how much he loves me...but then he goes back to normal within a couple of days. I really love him, I do, so much. I don't want to chuck 8 years away, but at the same time I CAN'T live without sex for much longer. It's really important to me and I can't have a mostly celibate marriage. Also, how much can H really love me if he's willing to carry on hurting me like this for such a sustained period of time.

There's part of me that wishes that this other guy just wanted some straightforward extra-curricular activity. If we both wanted simply that then nobody needs to get hurt. I know how awful that sounds, but there is a stupid part of me that thinks if I could find someone to have a casual, physical thing with it would solve all our problems. Naive, I know. Ridiculous.

OP posts:
tropicalfish · 19/06/2012 23:13

I think you should consider whether you want to stay married but it sounds like your work colleague may be playing around with your feelings and you deserve more. If you do anything with him then you will feel awful. Good luck.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 19/06/2012 23:15

You can love someone but, if the relationship is going nowhere, then it's not a good marriage. He clearly can't fix the sexual problem so your choices are either stay and put up with it faithfully, stay but take a lover, or leave... He doesn't sound like he'd be happy with you taking lovers and you probably wouldn't be happy being secretive so there is no win-win option on the table. Someone's going to be unhappy whatever happens next. The man you describe is blowing hot and cold because he's about to get married and he's being opportunistic rather than serious. He isn't a good swap but I think you know that.

maleview70 · 19/06/2012 23:16

You sound like far too an emotional person to just have a casual physical thing with anyone. Could you honestly detach feelings from sex because reading your post I seriously doubt it.

Why don't you leave your husband and see what happens. He must be under tremendous pressure as you sound desperate for him to act. This is a mans worst nightmare and putting loads of pressure on him is likely to make him behave the opposite way you want him too.

This man is definately playing you. He probably just wants one last flirt/fling before settling down.

QuintessentialShadows · 19/06/2012 23:18

Your marriage is not working out for you.

This new guy? He is not a reason. It is just how the shapelessness of your marriage manifest itself.

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:18

Anon ive been in a sexless marriage for 16 years. For ten years my dh didnt want sex or affection or hugs etc. For the past 6 years he cant have sex due to disabilities. He could still show affection in other ways but chooses not to. 9 years ago after 7 years of no affection i had an affair that lasted 4 and a half years. Ive been where you are and i still am in my marriage so i know exactly how you are feeling. Its soul destroying and unfair and what makes the problem worse is that society treats womens needs differently.

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:18

You are naive. No one will get hurt? What about his bride to be? Back off. Do the decent thing and end it with your husband if it's not working and you don't feel he is making the effort, with your problems.

Don't upset him more with an affair. Don't be the woman to blow this other females life apart.

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:21

Dont upset HIM more with an affair I rest my case!

Abitwobblynow · 19/06/2012 23:21

Stay away from work colleague. He is a player, and you really dont want to hurt his fiancee. Please don't go there.

How would your H react? That you need to consider the possibility of an open marriage. That whilst you love him very much, you do need some action.

What else can you do? He won't change, and you don't want him out of your life. There are so many men out there who would like the no-strings arrangement you mention, young men looking for cougars. Just don't have any married ones!

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:24

What are you on about saint? It's got nothing to do with your point at all. Op isn't getting affection or sex, her husband isn't making an effort, which could be laziness or embarrassement. Either way it can't carry on, so she either leaves, takes a lover, or he makes the effort, op can't be expected to be celibate forever.

But why cause anymore hurt than is needed in a break up? I think your projecting and reading things which aren't there tbh.

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:24

Youre*

Abitwobblynow · 19/06/2012 23:27

House of plain how can you talk to saint like that.

If anyone understands, she does.

EclecticShock · 19/06/2012 23:28

You need to make a decision about your marriage before you entertain thoughts about this other guy.

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:29

As she tried to make a point, using a quote of mine. Which she took out of context. So I do feel I have a right to put that straight, Hmm

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:31

house i said upthread that society doesnt consider womens needs to be as important as mens. Then you come on and say "dont upset your husband more with an affair WTF WTF?! WTF about the way the OPs dh is upsetting the OP. Thats what i meant by "i rest my case".

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:35

The OPs dh is basically only doing the bare minimum by A. going to the doctor only when she ""nags "" him into it. Which she had to do for a few months. B. shes put him under no pressure for years.
Sounds to me like shes tried her best and tried it every which way.

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:38

I would have said exactly the same for a female-male. If his wife was insisting on celibacy, by not working at the relationship. Then yes, it's not working. But why make it worse? Why hurt HER more and make it more messy by having an affair.

So yes, you did take it out of context. Te situation is untenable. I sure as hell wouldn't stay in a marriage like it. I'm all for sexual equality of women, so no that's not how my commentwas meant AT ALL. I do t alpreciate the suggestion it was either. As that is totally against my beliefs. It was a case of, end the marriage, why cause an increase the hurt by adding an affair in?

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:39

Too many baby typos don't appreciate*

solidgoldbrass · 19/06/2012 23:39

The man at work is, TBH, not really relevant, he could be anyone, the problem is in your marriage. Your H doesn't want to have sex with you. This doesn't make you undesirable, it's his issue, but it's one he has no intention of addressing. It is perfectly understandable that you have started fancying someone else. It's also quite likely that you have picked a bit of a dick to fancy because he's not really available to you, and this is a kind of trial run for getting out of your current unsustainable situation.
You need to sit down and have a chat with your H, if you think it's workable, to the effect that you accept he is never going to have sex with you again but you are not prepared to live a celibate life, so would he prefer to end the marriage, or to accept that you have a right to seek sex elsewhere? A person in a heteromonogamous relationship who refuses sex for years loses any right to insist on the other person remaining monogamous within the relationship: if you don't want that toy, it's not up to you to stop other people playing with it.

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:44

And i would say the same thing again in the female male case too. It is the person insisting on celibacy that is doing the hurting be they female or male.
People cant just pick and choose only the fucking bits of the marriage vows that they fancy abiding by and ignore all the other vows.
There is a part in the vows that says "To keep you only unto him/her.
But there is also the vow that says "with my body i thee worship"
You dont just get to keep some of the vows and ignore the rest.

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:45

Agree 100% with SGB who has put it across better than i did.

Houseofplain · 19/06/2012 23:48

I agree. Which is why I say, you took my comment out of context.

A marriage break up is messy enough as it it, even if you've already checked out due to the emotional and physical neglect.

No need to add more hurt and mess to all parties IMO. Which is how my comment was meant. As she can't continue, but an affair when both are tied into currently monogamous relationships, isn't the answer.

carernotasaint · 19/06/2012 23:53

The OPs dh has already broken this marriage up. Why doesnt the partner who doesnt want sex or affection anymore end the marriage?!

Swipe left for the next trending thread