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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:
ROARmeow · 31/05/2015 20:41

OP, what's your DW like generally? Is she a happy woman with hobbies & interests?

Does she have friends?

I really feel for you; it sounds like an unhappy marriage.

Newrule · 31/05/2015 20:42

... but the OP's wife was not interested in having sex with him even before the kids arrived and share of household chores became an issue.

The solution therefore cannot simply be 'do more housework'. There are bigger underlying issues lurking about.

I agree with those who say that your wife may simply not be interested in your sexually. The more you push to be intimate, the more resentful she will become.

kittensinmydinner · 31/05/2015 20:49

I honestly can't believe some of the nonsense on here. Who on earth is soooooo exhausted from house work that they can't have sex with their husband more than a handful of times in 8 yrs ? Really ? And not even sex for that matter, so fucking tired they can't hold their partners hand or kiss him ? Why does mn always have to find some utterly ridiculous excuse for a women's behaviour within a relationship rather than just face the absolute bleedin obvious. She can't be arsed ! Doesn't want to ! And no amount of hoovering and reading bedtime stories is going to persuade a woman who took two weeks to consummate the marriage, that sex and intimacy are an integral important part of marriage. ( this was pre kids and no housework politics) Without it, it's two people sharing a house. If this were a woman complaining of the same problem I can guarantee there wouldn't be a pile of posts telling her not to expect it, and get on and do a bit more DIY round the house as he probably doesn't feel valued enough.

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/05/2015 20:49

or she could be anaemic or depressed or have any number of psychological or medical reasons as to why she doesn't want sex. which is why it wouldn't hurt for the op to look at himself and his behaviour/attitude/habits towards his wife and/or stop thinking about sex so much he misses what his wife has actually gone through

Newrule · 31/05/2015 20:52

Yes Giles and that is exactly what you would say if the OP was a woman?

Kittens I couldn't agree with you more.

Minus2seventy3 · 31/05/2015 20:53

So, since 5pm, Mumsnet regulars have basically proclaimed that:

Jimbo's DW simply ain't that into him anymore (one of the milder responses);
She's gagging for it, but poor old Jimbo simply ain't up to the job - a stranger on the Internet says you're a crap shag;
Jimbo stinks, or slurps his food and dresses shite;
She's fucking someone else;
She doesn't actually love him.

Someone upthread said "I hope you've found MN broadly supportive... "
Well sorry, since five today, the Support Site that is MN, has pretty much been putting the fucking boot in.

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/05/2015 20:55

Well yes I would actually.

There are a number of reasons why either party wouldn't want sex or wouldnt feel like sex. medical or psychological.

sex drives can be mis matched fir all sorts if reasons. and it's very easy in relationships to be so focused on one part that you completely miss the reasons behind it all

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/05/2015 20:58

minus

and all those reasons could be true.

life isn't all hugs and puppies. People have shared experiences and put together reasons and asked questions.

what are people meant to do, lie?

say that nothing he has said is grounds for anything and his wife should want to jump him.multiple times a day.

Minus2seventy3 · 31/05/2015 21:04

No life isn't hugs and puppies, but neither is it nasty insults.
Constructive criticism, feedback, thought provoking questions, yes, that's supportive. But since five, it's been nastiness and insult, nothing more.
Putting the boot in, simple as.

Faithless · 31/05/2015 21:07

If my DP had been ovuma's and had made similar changes, we may have made it.

ALaughAMinute · 31/05/2015 21:19

Minus,

"So, since 5pm, Mumsnet regulars have basically proclaimed that:

Jimbo's DW simply ain't that into him anymore (one of the milder responses);
She's gagging for it, but poor old Jimbo simply ain't up to the job - a stranger on the Internet says you're a crap shag;
Jimbo stinks, or slurps his food and dresses shite;
She's fucking someone else;
She doesn't actually love him."

Not only have you misquoted but you taken the comments out of context. Go back and read the thread!

BeCool · 31/05/2015 21:22

kittens the issue isn't exhaustion from doing all the housework though that could play a role.

It is when one partner sees housework as something below him, and thinks it's his wife's work, the wife may understandably loss any passion or desire for someone who thinks she is there to be the family skivvy. It's a massive turn off. And let's not forget they are both working ft. The OP has stated he wants his wife to do it all as a punishment as he is so resentful.

Add to that the OP's self declared seething anger and resentment- what the hell is attractive about that?

ALaughAMinute · 31/05/2015 21:24

Becool,

Well said!

badbaldingballerina123 · 31/05/2015 21:31

I agree with kittens. This started pre kids and pre marriage . She didn't want to go near him for two weeks after the wedding.

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 21:34

She has used him for children and a comfortable lifestyle. Not unlike lots of other women.

Newrule · 31/05/2015 21:36

If I were the OP, I would not bother. The man has clearly said this started before they had kids and household chores became an issue (if at all it is an issue). It took two weeks before the marriage was consummated and sex and any form of intimacy are pretty much nonexistence.

Yet, lots of projecting about housework being the root cause.

YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 21:46

ROAR's post is an important one.

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 21:56

How? Because it touches on the wife possibly being a lonely and friendless woman with no hobbies? She has a friend in her lovely husband if she would just give him a chance.

BeCool · 31/05/2015 21:57

Oh do you know the OP purdie?

Longtalljosie · 31/05/2015 22:00

Projecting how? He accepts he doesn't do his fair share. He says he's at his wit's end - will try anything - the link between not doing housework and women going off their husbands is well documented - and he's not giving that a go? I think you are projecting (or in a world of wishful thinking?) frankly. And why would he be a meal ticket if she also works full time?

I wonder if the OP knows why his wife wouldn't have sex immediTely after the wedding. Was she ill? What did she say about it? Lots of women-hating on this thread.

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/05/2015 22:03

Maybe he's not lovely.

maybe the run up to the wedding he showed a controlling or angry or obsessive side she didn't like.

maybe he didn't take on his share of the duties and she had to do the parts he'd agreed to. maybe every time she asked him something he had a go at her.

maybe she only went through with it because she was to embarrassed to call it off or worried about all the money they'd loose.

These things can show a person's true colours and maybe she really didn't like it and has struggled ever since.

fact is we don't know, we only have one side of the story and there is fault I expect on both sides.

maybe she is a user. maybe op is a controlling possessive husband and she's afraid if him.

We don't know. which is why we asked questions and shared our stories as to what turns us off

YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 22:06

ROAR's post is important because if she is generally unhappy for whatever reason right now then tackling that unhappiness is probably the first issue.

Timetoask · 31/05/2015 22:06

Op, what is your relationship like otherwise? Do you talk? Share your day's news? Laugh together? Etc.
Is it a partnership?
Unfortunately it seems that dw is not open to any discussion about intimacy, if she is not prepared to talk about it maybe you could write a letter to her?

LondonRocks · 31/05/2015 22:11

She has used him for children and a comfortable lifestyle. Not unlike lots of other women.

And perhaps he's using her as a drudge. Like lots of other men?! Hmm

Newrule · 31/05/2015 22:11

Longtall, what am I projecting? That people should acknowledge that this issue existing before household chores became a possible bone of contention?

You seem overly invested in household chores being THE issue.

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