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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

How can I improve sex life with dh?

239 replies

lollyj2 · 07/02/2014 07:36

We've been together for three years, married for almost two and since almost the beginning, sex has been a bit of an issue.

I have always had quite a high sex drive and when we first got together we'd have sex quite often.

A few months in, however, it started to tail off, which left me feeling a little hurt. Things came to a head when we moved in together, we had sex regularly for the first couple of weeks, I didn't think anything of it, but one night, dh thew an almighty strop, got angry at me, said couldn't he go to bed just to sleep without being pressured into sex. I didn't realise I was pressuring him. So I backed off.

Sex has always been very one sided. I am not allowed to initiate anything, as he told me it puts him under pressure, so I wait for him. Usually, it's once a week/every ten days when he's in the mood. He never engages in any foreplay, the most he will do is jab his fingers in me for a few minuets (TMI, sorry) until it hurts me so much I just get on with it and have sex to get it over with. He also looks so bored when he's touching me, most of the time he is staring at the telly, so I stop him to stop myself getting upset. Most of the time, I will give him a bj, touch him, kiss him - in part to try and turn myself on so that sex isn't painful, but mainly because if I didn't, sex would just be me on top until he comes.

I have never had an orgasm (not just with him, but with anyone) but I am ashamed to say that I learned many years ago just to fake it so as not to dent a mans delicate little ego.

He never undresses me, I think he's only ever seen me naked a handful of times, which makes me feel like crap.

I have tried everything, dressing up, sex toys (which he laughed at me while using, said I looked ridiculous), not asking for sex, asking for sex (If I ask can we have sex tonight/tomorrow I either get 'oh yeah, of course" and then it doesn't happen, or I get told "if you behave" which makes me feel terrible).

I have tried talking to him so many times. But he either tells me to stop slagging him off (I don't I approach it in a nice way) or he's nasty and tells me that he just doesn't want sex a lot, he'd rather go on his computer.

Oral sex is another big issue. It's the only thing that feels nice to me. When we first got together, he said he liked doing it. Then after a couple of months he stopped, so I left it. A few months later, I asked why he didn't do that to me anymore and he got angry saying he hated it, hated the taste and smell. Again, I felt like shit. He does it sometimes, but again, the other day, same thing. Had him shouting at me saying he hates it, what man could ever like doing that to a woman etc. I've posted about that on here before, and I got told by many 'stop giving him oral sex then'. But if I don't, like I said, sex is just him literally putting his penis in me.

I think he has a really unrealistic view of sex due to the amount of porn he used to watch. He hasn't watched it since we were together, but he openly admitted it ruined his sex life with previous girlfriends, which is why he stopped. His views on sex are very much pornified, all to do with the mans gratification.

I really love him, and I am desperate for some sort of connection and closeness. I don't know what to do. If I try and talk to him, he gets angry and there is a huge argument.

This is my second marriage. I was married to someone else for 9 years and that was totally sexless. For different issues, but I basically didn't have sex for the entirety of my 20's and all I want is a normal sex life.
He thinks we have a wonderful sex life - well, he does. He only gets sex when he wants and when he does I am so pathetically grateful that it's all about him.

I thought he might be gay at one point (I asked him outright, he said he wasn't). He seems to hate my genital area. Hates pubic hair, I have to shave everything off, to the point where I get huge, painful cysts where I get ingrown hairs. It's horrible and painful. He seems to hate my body and I hate my body too now. I've lost all my confidence and I have become so embarrassed about sex. It's now got even more painful as I just tense up and because I have tried so hard to kill my sex drive over the past year so that I don't get frustrated, I find it hard to get turned on. So now it's mostly horrible.

Sorry this is so long, I just don't know what to do anymore. I've tried talking, but how do you talk to someone who just gets angry and defensive?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 07/02/2014 09:34

Actually I had that fleeting thought the same as numpty I just didn't want to say anything because you can't possibly tell a decent picture from posts on the Internet. I just didn't want numpty thinking she was a lone voice.

But the repulsed thing on all accounts is disturbing and not really normal.

Joysmum · 07/02/2014 09:46

This isn't about your sex life, even though it's manifesting itself in that way. This is a much wider and more serious reflection of your whole relationship and the sex won't improve until your relationship does.

Porn is being used as a convenient excuse too.

MrsPMT · 07/02/2014 09:46

Feel Sad for you, that sounds awful.

To give an alternative perspective, I have a low sex drive, my DP's has always been quite high, but I would never speak to him how your DH speaks to you.

At times I haven't wanted any sex esp oral (my issues not his) but I would do my best to make it clear it was my issue not his and that hopefully I would come round to feeling like it more (issues with depression), which I have.

I don't think I could be with someone who appeared to be repulsed by me/my body.

CaptainHindsight · 07/02/2014 09:56

Oh Lolly that post makes Angry and Sad in equal measures.

You are being robbed love.

The lazy bastard doesn't want you to feel sexual, then you might notice how inadequate this fucker really is.

AnyFucker · 07/02/2014 10:00

This man is a sexually abusive cunt, I don't care how sweet he seems out of the bedroom

Please ring womens aid, get some counselling for yourself and end this awful "marriage"

sebsmummy1 · 07/02/2014 10:00

I hope the OP undated this with reassurances re. her child.

ImSoHappyCauseToday · 07/02/2014 10:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeenyW123 · 07/02/2014 10:11

I think when you married him you were under an illusion; whether it was he manipulating and acting, or you with your Rose tinted specs.

Whatever, it's not what it said on the tin, is it?

Totally abnormal. No way in any stretch of the imagination is this a 'normal' relationship.

wordfactory · 07/02/2014 10:15

OP, this man says he is repulsed by you!

How can you be married to him? Even if he didn't want sex, he would have to accept that this was his issue, nothing to do with the fact that you're replusive!!!!

TheBeautifulVisit · 07/02/2014 10:15

Words fail me as to how awful he sounds.

lollyj2 · 07/02/2014 10:16

So what do I do? Show him this op? Before he left for work I wold him we are talking tonight.

I know it sounds unbelievable, but sex really is the only issue. He's fine in all other aspects.

And he wouldn't abuse my 12 year old. I know he wouldn't ever hurt a child. He may be a horrible, nasty bastard to me about sex, but he wouldn't harm a child.

I know he doesn't watch porn anymore. When he is on his computer, he's doing boring programming stuff which he is obsessed with, we run a part time business together, I know he's doing stuff for that, we are usually in the same room - tiny flat.

OP posts:
wordfactory · 07/02/2014 10:18

But it's not just sex OP.

He hates your genital area. How is that normal. You're a woman. You can't hide the fact. It's there all the time.

TheBeautifulVisit · 07/02/2014 10:20

lollyj2 Does he kiss you? Properly kiss you?

lollyj2 · 07/02/2014 10:21

So shall I try talking to him again? to be honest, I feel like I've got nothing to lose now.

The main reason I want to make it work is my son. He would be so upset if we split. Despite his faults dh is a great stepdad. He's given my son the stability in his life that his real father never did, dhs parents are also wonderful to ds.

OP posts:
TheBeautifulVisit · 07/02/2014 10:23

lolly - you could suggest an open marriage. And remove sex entirely from your relationship with your DH.

LilyBlossom14 · 07/02/2014 10:25

Do not show him this thread - but I agree with AnyFucker - you need support and advice. Call Woman's Aid and get the hell away from him - your op gave me the chills reading how he treats you. This man is not a good husband nor is he a good stepfather if he treats you in such a disgraceful way.

wordfactory · 07/02/2014 10:25

If it were me I would ask him why he finds me repulsive.

Don't let him deny it!

And the only two answers I would listen to would be

  1. I am gay. Sorry.
  2. I have huge personal issues with sex. I will seek help.

Any attempts to deny, blame you (for not being attractive enough, putting him under pressure whatever), blame porn, blame anything other than his own issues in fact, would see me packing my bags.

lollyj2 · 07/02/2014 10:26

Yes he does kiss me properly. He really is a good kisser. We also hug all the time, he cuddles up to me in bed. He's always coming up to me, kissing me and hugging me.

This is why I find the sex issue so confusing.

I really do think all the porn has warped him. He said he started watching it when he was 13.

He's younger than me by 6 years. I am almost mid thirties. I think that has made a difference in how sex is viewed. I used to work with women ten years younger than me and their views on sex/pubic hair etc used to worry me. I think porn has a lot to answer for. I never grew up with it. The relationships I had before, the men were always 2-5 years older than me, so they were not inundated with such a pornified culture growing up - I can tell the difference with younger men who have.

I am not making excuses for dh in any form, but I really think porn has a lot to do with it, i.e he thinks women love anal sex. I've never met a friend who does, its all from porn.

OP posts:
FourAndDone · 07/02/2014 10:26

I'd start by asking him if he knows how upsetting it is to be told how repulsive you are.
How it feels to be laughed at during an intimate moment.
Can he imagine what it feels like to be penetrated when your not turned on or lubricated (painful and scary I expect)
If he's apologetic and shocked at his own actions then you might just get through this.
Any other reaction and I wouldn't want to be with him any longer.

YouStayClassySanDiego · 07/02/2014 10:27

Don't show him this thread, that would be daft.

Staying in this relationship for the sake of your ds is commendable but is it enough, you are being humiliated by him.

lollyj2 · 07/02/2014 10:27

I do love him, I want him, I don't want anyone else. But lately, I have found myself looking at other men, just because I want a proper, loving relationship. And I feel guilty about that.

OP posts:
NumptyNameChange · 07/02/2014 10:28

i'm guessing your son wouldn't want you to stay with a man who makes you feel like a dirty piece of crap for the sake of stabiility.

LilyBlossom14 · 07/02/2014 10:28

So if porn has done this to him then what is he going to do to rectify it? I don't buy the porn excuse frankly, but IF that is the issue, what is he going to do to sort it out?

ellengeorgia · 07/02/2014 10:28

Sorry but your dh sounds totally awful and selfish. Am afraid I don't think you can improve things with a man like this... he really hates your body like you say he has big problems

NumptyNameChange · 07/02/2014 10:29

my point about children wasn't to say he is or would but that revulsion to signs of adulthood and revulsion towards adult autonomy and desire in sex can correlate with preferring children.