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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

Porn for women is not the same!

32 replies

Jellybellyqueen · 28/11/2016 05:51

Not sure where I'm going with this, but would like other opinions, as I'm being made to feel as if my opinion is an overreaction. I'll try to keep it short.
Been with DP for 20 years, have kids. There is a possibility he cheated a few years into the relationship (denied), and also had his eye on someone he had worked with for a few years with a view to leaving me. Apparently she wasn't interested and he stopped communications. (If I had known all the details at the time I wouldn't have bothered staying.) He said these things happened when we were going through a rough patch, strangely hadn't mentioned to me how bad it was at the time.

Anyway, things have been largely good in the meantime, although I have had my doubtful moments here and there, not helped by the fact that every so often I come across shit loads of porn on his computer despite the fact he has said he won't look at it. And uses incognito browsing, so there's plenty I don't know about. I did react badly the first time I found it, although I have a bigger problem with the ongoing secrecy and lies, tbh. We've had a 'rough patch' for the past few months, with related arguments. Now he's suffering from ED. Blamed it on me and my trust issues, then medication. Doc reckons it's psychological and gave him some Viagra type tablets until his confidence came back. Tried one recently and it didn't seem to make a difference. Funnily, he's good to go 2 or 3 nights anyway if he's in the mood. I recently tried a few different things to spice up the bedroom, was good for a while but he told me the other day it's too much effort and he just wants vanilla sex. All well and good, but I had discovered I liked the spicy stuff! I tried to explain this, he just said his libido may come back when things settle down ie I stop getting on his case.

I really don't get how he reckons he has no libido when he's up for it on his terms when he's horny. I asked what I should do in the meantime, he said he'd had to go with porn and masturbation when he wanted sex and I wasn't in the mood....(??small children, insecurity about cheating/porn??)...is he taking the piss? I've never given him reason to feel insecure about our relationship and he's saying I should be patient until his libido comes back and use porn?!?

Porn for women is notoriously lacking, plus it doesn't help with the anticipation and sensations which are a big part of it for me. Am I just being a selfish cow? Or does he just want it all on his own terms?

OP posts:
Looneytune253 · 28/11/2016 11:42

I'm struggling to understand here. You say he's up for it 2-3days a week but not every day. Isn't that just real life? People aren't necessarily up for it every day, doesn't mean low libido if he's still wanting it a few days a week? Esp since you've been through the same before, just give him some space. I'm sure I've missed something though.

BreatheDeep · 28/11/2016 11:45

Looneytune253 I'm confused too, I've read it like you. 2-3 times a week is not a low libido.

I don't know why everyone is talking about the death grip. I read it as he wants her to sort herself out when he's not in the mood.

Jellybellyqueen · 28/11/2016 12:18

Nope, I'd agree 2/3 times a week isn't a low libido, the issue is it's only happening when he wants it, and low libido is the reason given for not doing it when I'm interested. Which doesn't make sense to me.

Maybe I'm just overreacting to a lowering of his interest when mine is increased. Possibly it wouldn't have been an issue ten years ago (if I hadn't been tired and touched out by small children). Guess we just want different things at different stages. I'm just resentful of the fact it mostly seems to be me making the compromises whatever stage we're at. Shame porn doesn't do for me what it has for him over the many years he's been 'using' it.Hmm

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Looneytune253 · 28/11/2016 12:29

That's how sex happens tho surely. When both partners are in the mood? Prob not every night but 2-3nights is good going. Are you never not in the mood anymore ever? Maybe over the years he would have had a similar libido but because it wasnt often on offer it seems like he was always up for it? Ive noticed that in my life. I always felt that I was putting him off all the time but now my kids are older and I'm wanting it more hes not always up for it. But only cos it's on the table more often, I dont see it as him not wanting it so much?

NotTheFordType · 28/11/2016 12:34

Nope, I'd agree 2/3 times a week isn't a low libido, the issue is it's only happening when he wants it, and low libido is the reason given for not doing it when I'm interested. Which doesn't make sense to me.

Are you saying that you think he's deliberately with-holding sex specifically when you want it? You think that he IS up for it but is saying no as some kind of punishment?

Jellybellyqueen · 28/11/2016 12:52

I see what you mean looneytune. I think I go along with it when he's interested but am up for it more than him at the moment. Maybe I feel a bit put out because in the past I have done it when not particularly interested myself, because I didn't want him to feel rejected. Now the tables are turned, and I feel rejected! The knowledge of his porn viewing doesn't help. I've suggested watching it together, and he doesn't seem interested. This also feels like a rejection.

NotTheFordType - no, I don't feel like he's deliberately withholding. I do feel like he's less considerate of my feelings overall than I have been of his. Maybe this is unfair of me. I'm sure he'd say so.

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Jellybellyqueen · 28/11/2016 13:15

Actually, I'm wondering if this is somehow related to my experience of the porn he looks at. Initially he'd said he looked at it while away, because he missed me (aw, how sweet Confused), but that's not the case. I'm definitely not Asian, for a start, and the first time it came to light he was at home every night. I'll think I'm okay with it for a while, then come across some skinny minny who looks a hundred times sexier than me doing stuff I've never done and I'm furious again that he hides it all, gets off on gawping at these women and lies about it. Makes me feel really crap that he'd want to watch it in private and not do stuff together.

Anyone got any tips on dealing with this? I'm not sure I want to suggest doing anything else to him now, I feel like a rejected sex pest!

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