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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

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:
Marilynsbigsister · 27/03/2016 18:38

Shabba your story is awful and what he did was wrong and abusive. It is not the same thing however as the OP. In this case no one is demanding sex 24/7 nor are they having sex against the will of the OP. I feel very sorry for you and your experience, it sounds very much like you need to speak to someone like rape crisis about what you were put throughThanks

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 27/03/2016 18:41

Marilyn, if the op is considering having sex to stop her H from sulking, or is dealing with unwanted contact, then it is also abusive. I think you're being dismissive.

Shaba, rape crisis are amazing if you ever feel you're ready to talk. You can say as little or as much as you want. I cannot imagine the conflict you must feel at times Flowers

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 27/03/2016 18:42

I'm so sorry shabba. What you've been through is horrific. SadFlowers

shabbadabba · 27/03/2016 18:46

Thanks, Marilyn & thank you, fuckyou.

HelenaDove · 27/03/2016 18:48

I just googled "reproductive coercion" to see if i could find any helpful articles and what came up as one of the regular searches at the bottom of the page was "how to tamper with birth control pills" Blokes are actually searching this regularly Easter Shock Easter Angry

shabbadabba · 27/03/2016 18:48

And sorry, for derailing.

OP, stand your ground. Don't feel bad for doing something you don't want to do. Sex/making love should be enjoyable between two people.

Good luck Smile

shabbadabba · 27/03/2016 18:50

Helena, awful. Just awful :-(

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 27/03/2016 18:52

Shabba, not derailing at all. It's important people know. Thank you for sharing your story Flowers

That's the crux, isn't it? Sex should always be something everyone enjoys. No one has a right to it.

You do have a right to leave a relationship that doesn't make you happy. You have a right to even suggest an open relationship or other solutions. You never have a right to coerce anyone into giving you access to their body.

No one is trapped in a relationship. Everyone has a choice. Doing something abusive and illegal is never an option.

MerdeAlor · 27/03/2016 19:04

shabba Flowers what a revolting specimen of a man, using you like that.

dumbshmuk · 28/03/2016 01:06

knew i should've come back. I was never abusive. Never used foul language or name called anyone. Nor have I personally attacked anyone here. I'm just not backing down from the abusive ones attacking me here. This issue OP is having with her husband didn't begin within the 3 week time period mentioned here this has probably been going on between them longer than that. The OP may have come here to just validate her feelings about the latest incident instead of looking for help resolving a problem in her marriage. I'm offering reasons that may be at the root of this that she may not be considering. This problem isn't unique in a long term relationship. I'm going to offer another common one: she is no longer attracted to and in love with her husband (and her husband might be realizing this too) and doesn't want to let go of the convenience of the relationship. This thread derailed (page 2) long before I got here.

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 28/03/2016 08:11

Dumb, if you can't cope with people disagreeing with you, and you take it personally instead, then maybe you need to think before you post.

People have responded to your advice. You are being over sensitive and making this all about you, when it's really not.

Don't tell the op what she is. You have no idea at all. I don't think you have any experience of this from the op's POV, and I don't think you've made any effort to empathise.

Brightling · 28/03/2016 12:13

I categorically will not be sulked into sex. Childish behaviour. Akin to handing over sweets to a stroppy child just to get them to cheer up or bribe to do something.

I do love DH. I do fancy him. Sometimes I don't like him. I'm sure there are plenty of times he doesn't like me. I am far from perfect. He is a great father. Great round the house. Hard worker and provides well for our family. He's funny. With all these good points he has some points which completely balance him out. He's thoughtless. He's crap at communicating. He's blunt and often says the wrong thing. Sometimes he is borderline gaslighting. I even told him to google it. Comments such as "what's wrong with you?" When I say I don't want a cuddle because I need some personal space. He sees it as comforting me cos I've spent two mins shouting due to small children or whatever when I really want teeny mins alone to finish the washing up/ironing.

He also gets frustrated that I fall asleep when watching tv of a evening. He's been up early himself and worked or whatever and can stay awake but can't appreciate why I can't stay awake but I also see this frustration as him thinking "great another night of no intimacy". I know it's this and I've said to him to quit being pissed off because I am tired and you would like to have sex. His response is what is wrong with wanting to make love with his wife.

Again emotional shit thrown at me to coerce me. No means no.

OP posts:
FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 28/03/2016 12:17

Brightling, have you managed to talk to him at all? You sound so exhausted by the whole thing (unsurprisingly) Flowers

iminshock · 28/03/2016 13:58

The tattoo analogy is ridiculous.

Sex used to be part of this relationship. Now it's not.

stinkysnowbear · 28/03/2016 14:50

Sulking is never ok but I have been on his side of things - my DP (I'm female, he is male) has reduced and I often feel unwanted and frustrated. You are entirely correct so say that sex is a privilege not a right, but frankly sometimes I feel so dejected and utterly miserable when he doesn't want me.

rumbleinthrjungle · 28/03/2016 15:13

ganged up on any man who dared post here

Oh the drama. Goodness knows how many posters on this thread are male. There were only two posters who identified themselves as male specifically for the purpose of mansplaining to any women on the thread, and they haven't been ganged up on, they just haven't received the feminine appreciation they felt their penile wisdom deserved. Which is funny really as that's in many way the insight they wanted to give about the OP's dh.

OP I'm sorry you're having a hard time. It sounds like you've been on the receiving end of a lot of low level behaviour that feels thoughtless, insensitive and pressuring and you've hit saturation point with it. You've mentioned your dh has talked about counselling, there have been lots of posts mentioning it, how do you feel about that as an option? Or at the moment are you in a place where you just want him to back off and the pressure to stop?

Talkingmouse · 28/03/2016 15:32

Trying to apportion 'blame' for the situation you find yourself in OP is counterproductive, however ridiculous he is behaving (which he is). Sex obviously is not a right, but without it most marriages do not survive.

You need to find a way to positively move forward.

Counselling, yes. Smaller steps: book a babysitter and have a date? You say you can fall asleep watching TV in the evening - why is the tv on? Why not have a glass of wine and talk? If you still fancy him, who knows where that would lead...

DarrenHardysDrongo · 28/03/2016 15:33

they just haven't received the feminine appreciation they felt their penile wisdom deserved

Grin
arsenaltilidie · 28/03/2016 16:21

OP the most important thing you've mentioned is you still find him attractive, fun to be around.

Small children will put a strain on any relationship.
There is no point in both of you trying to blame the other. It will achieve nothing but drive you 2 further apart.

At the end of the day it's your marriage. If you want to still be married to him you may need to make more of an effort with him sexually and he needs to stop being very needy.

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 28/03/2016 16:37

Op I really feel for you. Taking care of a family when the youngest is just 10 months old is exhausting.

I personally think sex is very important in a relationship but it's so hard when the kids are small and your confidence is low.

More talking hopefully without him acting like a sulky child sounds like the best option.
Explaining you still love him and fancy him but you are knackered. Your sex drive is low as you are still breastfeeding and your body confidence isn't great will hopefully help. Maybe through joint therapy if you think it's needed.
Good luck.

differentnameforthis · 29/03/2016 09:14

Sex used to be part of this relationship. Now it's not. Yes it is. Three weeks ago, and usually monthly.

There is still sex, just not as often as the dh wants it. You can hardly say that it is no longer there.

MyFavouriteClintonisGeorge · 29/03/2016 18:41

May I suggest: telling him you want to stop having sex altogether for a time while you and he try to talk things through? I really think that it is much easier to work through issues like this when the pressure is stopped completely.

It might be better discussed away from home, if you can get away for an evening. Only go over the past to the necessary minimum amount. Concentrate on explaining how you feel and what you want, plus what you need to get to a more mutually satisfying place with sex (gym membership, more sleep, not always having PIV, saying no without sulks, Aargh leave my poor sore nipples alone you idiot etc). Your DH can do the same.

Brightling · 29/03/2016 20:33

Where did I say that we aren't having any sex? I didn't.

Appreciate the tips and advice. We do need to talk. We had a lovely day yesterday and again was spoilt in the evening because he assumed that the perfect way to complete the day would be sex. I didn't want to as I was tired and we had both spent ages putting children to sleep who did not want to sleep and I wanted to have some personal space.

OP posts:
HeadlessChicken4 · 29/03/2016 23:24

I have just joined MN and read through all of the posts! As a woman who has 4 children, youngest 4, I do think that 3 weeks is a long time and his mood and comments to you are purely due to frustration. Sex is a very important part of a relationship and may be the only thing you do with each other, in a very hectic life that usually revolves around the kids. I would feel rejected and that there was something wrong if we ever went that length of time.

HeadlessChicken4 · 29/03/2016 23:38

Your husband is just living in hope!

Interesting that you think the day was spoilt because he wanted sex.I would have been happy that after the mammoth task of getting the kids to bed, he still had time for me. Hope you get sorted. It must be an awful situation for both of you.