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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

Sexually frustrated Husband

988 replies

Brightling · 23/03/2016 20:29

It seems I'm married to one of those men who gets very moody when their intimacy needs aren't being met as often as they would like.

We've been married a significant amount of time. When we first met my sex drive was average and a few years and very young children later it's pretty much dwindled. I'm all touched out by the children. I am very unhappy with my post multiple pregnancies body. I'm tired. All I want is to be able to go to bed and sleep without being propositioned. It's not every night but it happens frequently enough for it to be considered badgering. Actually what I would like also is for the "no I'm not up for it tonight" to be received with "ok let's sleep" rather than him raise his voice tell my I've got a problem, I need to see a therapist, I should stay off those websites (such as MN) and what's he supposed to do about HIS sexual needs as it sounds like he's supposed to have an affair if I'm not interested. He says he can't even cuddle me if I've said no as he finds it too difficult. Whenever I say none turns his back on me and I feel like I'm being punished for saying No.

I get that he is frustrated but I am not prepared to lay back and think of England. Sex is a privilege not a right. It's my body and if I don't want to I don't have to. Even though he says that he doesn't want me to do it for the sake of it I think he's BS'ing me. He tells me he's a nice person, a good partner, a good dad and that other couples are all having sex though he always refers to sex as making love.

When we are having an active sex life he is ridiculously happy and helpful and affectionate.

I can't stand the sulking behaviour when he's frustrated. He is a hands on father and he does pull his weight round the home. It's just the sex pressure pushing me away. It's getting to the point where I don't want to be intimate with him at all as any contact he sees as a green light to progress a cuddle or whatever is then met with a sulk when I say I don't want to continue.

He does make lots of effort making meals but I'm so cynical that All I can think about is that there is an expectancy at the end of the night which puts me on the defensive and then I end up causing an argument simply to avoid the strop that he will pull when I say I don't want to be intimate because it's only when I get cross about it that he will let it drop and quit going on and on and on about it.

I'm know my sex drive isn't what it was but the sulks and date nights are not helping one bit. I dread any meal or date night. I'm not even sure why I'm even posting.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 06/04/2016 20:13

If you keep replying to them, OP, you're going to keep getting posts like that.

Whether it's a troll, a goady fucker, or just someone determined to blame and criticise you whatever you say - attention in the form of replies just fuels their fire.

Brightling · 06/04/2016 20:40

I know AnotherEmma. Funny that it's the men who are being so persistent with the blame game and justification.

Over and Out.

OP posts:
Perseus · 06/04/2016 20:42

Emma - I am merely pointing out that if the OP is indifferent about her marriage continuing it would be better to be up front about that with her DH.

It will save a lot of pain.

I have a lot more experience of this than you. It is an impossibly difficult problem and there are not easy answers and some very hard questions. The OP will need to work with her DH if she wants to save her marriage from a downward spiral.

Is it really necessary for you to follow every one of my posts with a snide comment? You have done it throughout the entire thread.

marathonmiker · 06/04/2016 20:50

I thought a man's input on this issue might be useful for you but apparently not.
I've given my prediction, please come back and update us where this goes?
I would love to hear a happy ending and prove me wrong, but seems like you have entered full blown "cold war" standoff and intend to wait for him to blink first.
Good luck.

NameChange30 · 06/04/2016 21:21

"I have a lot more experience of this than you."
Uh huh.... And you know this how...?!

"I thought a man's input on this issue might be useful"
Ah that old chestnut. The magical penis-infused insight Grin

Good job there have been other male posters proving that (news flash!) not all men see things in the same way. Thankfully.

NameChange30 · 06/04/2016 21:25

(Also realise I am a massive hypocrite for replying after saying we shouldn't... Just too tempting Grin)

dizzytomato · 06/04/2016 21:33

Actually I think a men's insight on this has been useful to the OP. I think all the different opinions and experiences shared by both men and women have mostly been supportive. I have not seen a clear divide between those with penises and those without but maybe that's just me.

typicalbloke62 · 06/04/2016 22:32

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

AnyFucker · 06/04/2016 22:42

< prostrates self in front of such Penile wisdom >

How the heck did we manage without someone showing us the way to Keep Our Man ?

HelenaDove · 06/04/2016 22:55

"Thirdly, 'lust' waxes and wanes between couples, never mind being different from the very start, and should be accommodated"

.
Penultimately, a slow but remorseless lack of sexual interest from your lifelong partners can be hard to accept for a bloke and being accused of 'harassment' is a bit harsh."

Why do i get a nasty feeling that Sentence 1 basically means a low libido man should be accommodated and left alone.

And sentence 2 means a low libido woman should put out and shut up.

typicalbloke62 · 06/04/2016 22:57

I rest my case

HelenaDove · 06/04/2016 23:00

Not denying your misogyny though are you!

AnyFucker · 06/04/2016 23:00

That's right, rest your tiny mind, mate.

typicalbloke62 · 06/04/2016 23:20

Ah! As I feared.

A rather immature response with little evidence/acknowledgement/experience of reality.

Any real Mums [Wives] out there?

HelenaDove · 06/04/2016 23:25

He should also rest his tiny hands.

typicalbloke62 · 06/04/2016 23:34

You are really going to have to explain that!
Sorry, I'm just a bloke.

LyndaNotLinda · 06/04/2016 23:49

I hope you're not married to anyone I know

Moanranger · 06/04/2016 23:53

Have not read the entire thread but BOY the OP's P sounds just like my ex-H, who was a bully sexually. I ended up accommodating him which destroyed my sex drive. We split for other reasons, but when I ceased to have someone badgering me for sex, my libido returned. I am now with someone who is completely sexually compatible with me.
I can give the OP no advice, I just know that to be the victim of sexual bullying is AWFUL, and the thing itself is just WRONG.

NotQuiteSoOnEdge · 06/04/2016 23:57

I'm so glad for NAMALT!

If I believed all men were unreconstructed Neanderthals like the three above I think I'd avoid men for the rest of my life.

Thank God I know many men who'd be embarrassed to post such self-reverential bollocks.

HapShawl · 07/04/2016 06:07

It is amazing that someone having to have less sex than they would like is considered to be a more stressful experience than someone being continually pestered for sex

HapShawl · 07/04/2016 06:09

I do always enjoy the insinuation that any woman who is of the opinion that men are not entitled to access to women's bodies whenever they want must be in a relationship with a very unhappy man. Such a low opinion of men

differentnameforthis · 07/04/2016 08:31

Funny that it's the men who are being so persistent with the blame game and justification

In defence of a man who is also being persistent & playing the blame game!! they are just as bad, picking like it is a scab!

Girls, give us a break. We are, in the main, driven by our nuts. You knew this. Is it that much of a surprise to find that we find your bodies irresistible? No you're not [driven by your nuts]. You are just using it as an excuse to badger your partners into having sex more than they want to...grow up.

if men were driven by their nuts, they'd all have the attitude of op's dh & you lot here, and they don't. And yes, that does come from experience.

Oh & nice way to try to shift the blame onto women for you acting like children ["you knew this"].

Any real Mums [Wives] out there? That's hardly a mature response now, is it?

NameChange30 · 07/04/2016 09:48

GIRLS! Shock Grin

NotQuite
"Thank God I know many men who'd be embarrassed to post such self-reverential bollocks."
Indeed.

IdealWeather · 07/04/2016 11:24

diffetent GrinGrin

marathonmiker · 07/04/2016 14:02

Since Brightling is only seeking support for withholding sex, I shift my advice to her Husband, who hopefully will read this thread:

  1. Stop whining! This is juvenile, not sexy, and counterproductive. Just grow up, seriously man.
  2. Hit the gym, hard and often. Clean up your diet. Dress better. Your goal is to become the most attractive and masculine version of yourself possible.
  3. Research "sexless marriage" because you are in one. Educate yourself on the patterns, causes, fixes, and probabilities of a good outcome. Read NMMNG and MMSLP.
  4. Continue to initiate sex, with passion. If rejected (and without sulking!) ask "when might you be open for sex" and press for a clear answer.
  5. What is your wife's love language? Obviously NOT intimacy, but does she like gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service (devotion)? If low/no sex continues, stop doing all of these things! She has chosen to ignore your needs, you must stop meeting her needs. Treat her like a roommate. Keep up your share of household chores, continue to be loving and involved with your kids, but withdraw all warmth from her, she wants to be your platonic house mate, treat her as such.
  6. Increase your social activities away from her. Join a yoga class, tag along with the ladies for coffee afterwards. This is a good outlet for female companionship, and gets you back closer to the dating world should that become necessary.
  7. Prepare yourself for the possibility that your mismatched libidos is a dealbreaker incompatibility. Decide if you want to stay married while pursuing your legitimate sexual needs outside the marriage (in which case, inform her of the now open marriage, then game on). Otherwise, plan for the divorce: she should already be working (if not, she MUST get a job right away!), seek 50/50 custody of the children, do not move out of the house, suggest she move out, or just stay there while you freely date women who actually enjoy intimacy.