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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

Wife has no interest in sex or even holding hands!

254 replies

Jimbo54 · 31/05/2015 10:37

I am 40 years old. My wife is 8 years younger. We have a four year old and a two year old. Since my wife fell pregnant the first time, we have had sex about eight times (mostly when she, very occasionally, gets drunk). We have had absolutely no other intimacy – kissing, cuddling, anything. This isn’t by any stretch my doing. I love my wife and find her very attractive. But she simply is not interested at all in me, physically. I know what you will say – talk to her about it! I have tried. But she clearly feels uncomfortable talking about sex or intimacy and the closest thing I’ve got is “you don’t you appreciate that I’ve just had two children” with a look to say “you selfish pig, how can you expect me to have any interest in you when I’m so busy with the work/children”. Well, yes, of course I appreciate that, but I don’t see why there should be a complete embargo and for so long. It is destroying our marriage and I just cannot get it out of my mind. She says that I am a good father and I have a great relationship with the boys, but, I have to say, in fairness, she has done more of the heavy lifting with our second child than me. But I am starting to think she simply doesn’t want me in that way (she is objectively more attractive than me) and I find that very upsetting. But then I think back that when we got married, it took two weeks to consummate the marriage, so why am I surprised now? Further that, even now, when we rarely do have sex (and only the most vanilla of activity is allowed (for example, she won’t even allow snogging!)) I just know that she wants it over as quickly as is decent. In fact, now I think about it, she has never, not once, in at least the last eight years, instigated sex or any form of intimacy and I always have to do the running. I am now thinking enough is enough. But I could really do with a second opinion. Am I being selfish? Isn't this madness? What do I do? Help!

OP posts:
TurnItIn · 31/05/2015 15:06

That's no way to live your life KeepItHidden. It really isn't and I'm guessing that your wife isn't happy either. Have you told her how close you are to leaving? Is it possible this may be the catalyst for her to agree to counselling?

kittensinmydinner · 31/05/2015 15:07

jimbo, can you just confirm and clear up mis-understandings here. Exactly how much or how little sex are you having. The reason for asking is that the terms 'virtually non existent' are fairly relative to what you consider 'normal'. For example is it less than once a month or are we talking not in the last couple of years ?

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 15:10

I agree, julio. I just get a bit annoyed when people quote marriages as "sexless" when they are actually not. I couldn't personally live with so little sex myself but I would have the decency to end my marriage first and not do shitty things like with hod my labour as a "punishment"

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 15:10

withold

YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 15:12

Thanks for the Davina link. Double bah.

Keepithidden · 31/05/2015 15:12

AF - Thanks, I know.

TurnItIn - DW says she is, I think she'd tell me if she wasn't, I've opened the conversation with her often enough and asked her what she would like to change about me, us, my behaviour, our situation everything really. I haven't told her I'm thinking of leaving, I've mentioned counselling in the past and she cried. I really do think she is happy with the way things are. It makes it more difficult to leave knowing this. I'd be surprised if it wasn't simply a case of mismatched libido, but we weren't mismatched for the first five years together. Weird how things turn out eh?

Anyway, I'm encroaching on Jimbo's thread here.

thehumanjam · 31/05/2015 15:13

You have to talk to her. You are focusing far too much on sex and intimacy. Your wife sounds very unhappy and you need to find out way. Forget sex and intimacy until you have established the reason for her unhappiness.

thehumanjam · 31/05/2015 15:14

Why not way.

NorahDentressangle · 31/05/2015 15:15

Lots of conflicting info from OP.

I would, if I was you, go all out to take over household stuff, shopping, washing, cleaning.

Expecting one night out alone to be enough to rekindle her feelings is daft. Think 6 months.

If there is no improvement then assume she doesn't want to be with you.

Don't go down the affair route without her agreement - WTF, can't believe I read that, why is the miserable sham marriage worth prolonging?

DCs can sense the emotions in a person - anger in you and unhappiness in DW. Is that a good upbringing?

Speak to a solicitor so you aren't just complaining and hand wringing. Then you can decide the best way forward.

DistanceCall · 31/05/2015 15:15

Divorce. Sorry.

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 15:20

I wouldn't worry about this being Jimbo's thread, KIH. He has bogged off anyway.

Jimbo54 · 31/05/2015 15:31

Keepithidden - wow. Very similar to me indeed. Sorry to hear that.

kittensinmydinner we have sex about twice a year, no more.

OP posts:
Annarose2014 · 31/05/2015 15:32

Yeah....if it took her two weeks to consummate the marriage.....thats bizarre to me. And there wasn't any kids or housework on honeymoon!

Don't join a dating site though. If you do split up the entire story will be "Jim was on a dating site, its disgusting, he cheated on me"

And word will get out. The person who cheats is always the villain. No random hookup is worth that.

I do think your marriage is not really a marriage anymore. Priests get hugged more than you, and thats terrible. But if you stay faithful throughout the process then the accountability might be shared more evenly between you.

kittensinmydinner · 31/05/2015 15:34

Sorry Jimbo, I have re read tft and now see that it isn't just lack of sex, it's complete lack of intimacy. I think as another poster has suggested, she was looking for a sperm donor and provider. If there were deep set 'issues' ie sexual abuse , there is no way your sex life would have been good prior to marriage. I don't think you need to make an ultimatum. That is an 'or else' statement that no one respondents well to. You cannot change anyone, the only person to have control over your life is you. You need to have a serious think. Can you live like this ? I don't buy all the too tired bullshit. No one is that tired to shag their oh once in a while, even if they were sick and tired they can still find it in them to hold hands and have a hug. It's about making the effort once in a while to do things for each other, but I'm sorry , most of the human race have managed a baby and sex once in a while, it's a cop out excuse because she a) doesn't fancy you. B)she has absolutely no sex drive. C) she is gay but can't come out/ wanted kids . Make a decision to leave and tell her the reasons. Be brutal, tell her you need a sex life, ideally with her but as she will not even discuss it you need to leave before you have an affair.

MotherFluffer · 31/05/2015 15:35

KIH I just wanted to say well done for not taking the easy, coward's life-wrecking way out, I salute you.

Minus2seventy3 · 31/05/2015 15:49

Jimbo, you have my sympathies, and I'm afraid I've nought to offer in advice that hasn't been said already.
My wife and I haven't had sex for over two and a half years, and like you, it is more the complete lack of intimacy that hurts, rather than the lack of sex - no kisses, hugs, hand-holding. It is truly soul destroying.
Date nights, offering affection with the explicit proviso that it won't lead anywhere, and there's no expectation of it doing so, weekends away, time without the little one. Sex has been completely off the table (absolutely no advances from me) for over six months now. It simply doesn't change.
I wish you a better conclusion.

ALaughAMinute · 31/05/2015 15:51

"when we rarely do have sex (and only the most vanilla of activity is allowed (for example, she won’t even allow snogging!))"

So on the rare occasions you do have sex you do it without kissing? What about foreplay or do you give that a miss as well?

Sorry to tell you Jimbo, but it's not easy for a woman to get turned on without kissing. In fact, some woman would find this uncomfortable if not painful! How was this ever allowed to happen? Is this really your wife's fault or do you think you should take some of the blame?

It sounds to me like you could both benefit from some sexual/marital counselling.

onereminder · 31/05/2015 15:51

Hi Jimbo54

"I have a very demanding job with long hours but that's no excuse for not doing enough around the house"

Actually, it is.

If you're out of the house for around 12 hours a day, or longer, and your wife doesn't work, then you're within your rights to expect most of the house duties to be taken care of during the week. Obviously your days off/weekends should be split more equally.

A lot of women seem happy for a bloke to slave and pay for their entire lifestyle - then complain that their part of the deal isn't being shared equally.

No wonder the divorce rate is so high.

spitefulme · 31/05/2015 15:52

I am really surprised to see how much supportive mumsnetters are in this thread! Wow...

Dear OP I really hope you can find the way to sort it all out. Either by being totally honest with your wife, and demanding counselling and trying to work things out. Or by walking away, if there is no other way.
She needs to know that lack of sex and intimacy is a dealbreaker for you and IF she is unable/unwilling to work on it all, she will be equally responsible for breaking your marriage/family.

I do not believe in sexless marriages, unless there are medical issues. But then at least the intimacy could be worked on.
Don't go into cheating. Nothing positive ever comes from lying and living double life. It will only hurt everyone, you will lose respect to yourself, and the consequences might ruin too many people.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 31/05/2015 15:56

If you're out of the house for around 12 hours a day, or longer, and your wife doesn't work, then you're within your rights to expect most of the house duties to be taken care of during the week. Obviously your days off/weekends should be split more equally.

He said his wife works full time though.

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 16:01

Jimbo's wife works full time too, onereminder

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/05/2015 16:02

It'd mentality isn't it?

there's a difference between being at work all day and not being home to help and just expecting your wife to do it regardless of whether you have been to work or not.

Anniegetyourgun · 31/05/2015 16:10

Yes... they both work full time, and they had children together. So what's all this leeching off the sperm donor shit?

lotsofcheese · 31/05/2015 16:12

Yep, and the "most women don't want to work" comment up thread - WTF?!

Italiangreyhound · 31/05/2015 16:17

Jim I am sorry to hear this. I hope you will get some help. In your shoes I would try counselling, even if she will not go with you, help her around the house more and maybe when the time is right make it clear that this could be the end of your marriage if this issue doesn't get sorted. It is unfair for you to live like this.

Sadly, when some women have young kids they are so exhausted by them and they get so much love and affection from the kids they may feel they need less from their partner.

I am not sure what would make your sex life more appealing to your wife. I am not very comfortable being naked or should I say I feel less sexy naked so I prefer some sexy lingerie which my dh has kindly brought for me! I would not just go out and buy it, because she may feel this is manipulative but i do not think a frank discussion would help.

Please do not have an affair. It may well end your marriage, not be very fulfilling for you (in the long run) and could be very hurtful for the person you have the affair with. If the marriage ends and you find a new partner you can start afresh without 'her' (the new woman) worrying that you are the 'type' of man who has affairs.

Be ready for tough talk. Maybe she does not find you attractive. Very hard to hear! Yet she did, presumably, at one time. Please be very calm during these discussions, she is entitled to her opinion, entitled to not find you attractive or not want to have sex with you, but she must realise that this may mean you leave.

Marriage is really quite hard at times and if she is not willing to talk to you about this then it would suggest (to me) that there is either a very serious issue in the past or she has completely fallen out of love with you (or met or is fantasising about someone else) or possibly simply is not bothered about being married any more.

Also as someone pointed out before, sex should start way back in the day with kindness and interest. And as a married couple love and friendship are all part of it, so a lovely but not exhausting day together could end in making love and be an extension of that lovely day, but it sounds like whatever you say or do may be seen as putting pressure on her. I think talking should be a starting point and if she is not willing to do this I would want to make it clear that this is cruel to you, not only is she not willing to have sex she will not talk about why. I am really sad about the no kissing as that is such a simple way of showing affection.

I hope you get some help and I hope you have found mumsnet broadly supportive (I have not read all the comments so sorry if I have repeated exactly what others have said!)