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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

Disappointed with your sex life Part 3

281 replies

lemonade · 24/07/2004 17:39

A new thread for us. I'll see you here instead of at Part 2.

OP posts:
Branster · 04/10/2004 15:26

I just needed to get this off my chest and doing this before on this thread helped me. Another moan from me, be warned! Not sure if I'm looking for advice or just need to tell someone how I feel.

Things here are the same, not at all improved, worse if anything else.

I don't think I'm in love with DH anymore. I do love him (I like the way he looks, care about him a lot and would only want good things for him) but am not in love with him. Don't know if this makes any sense...I just don't feel excited when I see him anymore. Before, if I'd spot him on the street my heart would miss a beat, I was so happy to see him. Now I don't care if he's around me or not, I don't get any of the pleasure I used to when I was with him. I analysed my behaviour with him and it has changed a lot. It's a reflection of what he's doing really. If we're somewhere together I don't gaze into his eyes anymore, I don't feel the need to make him feel like he's the best thing around, I don't echo his views etc. I'm just indifferent to him now. Well, he made a good job of rejecting me time and time again and I've finally got the message and intuitively apply what he wants me to do. I can't believe I was trying so hard for such a long time, making a total fool of myself. Always wanting to greet him happily, boost his ego, tell him how wonderful he is and him always pushing me away. I'm fed up with trying, don't want to try, don't want to be the loving wife anymore. He doesn't make me tick and that's that. As for sex, can't remember last time I was worthy of it and it was so lousy it's not worth remembering. I just don't feel wanted, loved and it's quite clear that I got to the stage where I don't feel for him like I used to (because his attitude towards me turned me this way) as a result of him not wanting me anymore in the first place.

And I am so stuck in all this! There's no way out. Can't ask him for a divorce because I don't have any clear reasons. besides he's be totally against it and probably force himself to play the loving husband until he gets back to being the real him and it all start again. I don't actually want him to be like he used to because the damage has been done. I can't see myself being head over heels with him ever again, and don't want to either. On one hand I'm very conscious of the fact that I don't want DD to grow up in a single parent family. Then there's also the view that 'people don't work at their marriages, how stupid to get divorced because of such a silly reason'. I don't know clearly what I want and how to achieve what I want. It all seems so trivial when people have serious problems and there's me going on about not being loved and not having any sex. Am so bloody fed up with everything. it's all so fake, this marriage is not a real marriage. I don't even want it to be anymore, I'm fed up with being ignored all the time. I've always been in love one way or another. this is the first time I find myself with an empty heart. Nothing to give, nothing to receive. Empty. have none to talk to in RL about this and no, I don't want any counselling because I don't want to fix anything. I'm so hurt, it's not worth starting it all again. it'll never work in a satisfactory way for me, it'll all be forced (on his part) and I don't like it that way. And I'm so lonely too. I'm fed up of shedding tears on my own, I'm fed up of spending every evening on my own (tried tagging along downstairs with DH in the evenings but he just doesn't acknowledge me and I constantly feel like I'm in his way, which annoys me a great deal).
what to do??
I won't re-read the above, just in case I decide to delete it all.
...

Lonelymum · 04/10/2004 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Branster · 04/10/2004 16:22

Thanks for your reply lonelymum.
Well, how do i feel about that? I don't see why one small child should change things so much in DH especially as he doesn't have to do anything extra since DD was born. If anything, i've taken on some of the household chores so he's relieved of a certain responsabilty. And I manage perfectly well to have free evenings (so does he) and we should be spending them together. But he's not interested in doing that. It really feels like he's living on his own sometimes, he gets on whith what he wants to do (which doesn't bother me) but at the expense of totally ignoring me (which does bother me as I get no acknowledgment from him saying that at least i look nice, the food is nice, the house is clean, the bulb is fixed or whatever small thing he can find to say in a positive manner). And I did expect to still get that feeling in my stomach when I see him or get close to him. But now it's all gone (only recently so it's been there for a long time, now it's gone, i dpon't feel anything special about him in that way anymore).
Even with DD, being just one child it doesn't bother me. I would be more than willing to be woken up at 2AM by DH if there was a promise of something special. it never happens though. we have free evenings every day and nothing... gotta go

Lonelymum · 04/10/2004 16:27

Sorry to hear that Branster. His lack of appreciation sounds all too familiar to me. My dh used to thank me for the evening meal I cooked but now he never does and also doesn't thank me for anything else much either.
I have heard that men sometimes see women in a different light after they have seen them give birth. It sort of puts them off their partner, but I thought that was just a temporary thing.

reallyembarrassedbut · 04/10/2004 16:49

If i'm honest i'm a bit like this now, but that's bevcause i've given up, having been on the recieving, or perhaps non recieving end for so long, i've withdrawn from the relationship, because i can't take the rejection any more - sadly she seems happier like this than when i was still trying to be the loving DH

dogwalker · 04/10/2004 17:23

Poor you Branster. I've not read all of these messages just the recent one. I suppose you already know this but you really need to sit down and discuss all these things with your husband. if they can't be resolved and things don't improve then in my opinion you would be better off living apart. I know what you mean about the heart not fluttering thing but you know after several years this is bound to happen. If there is still some love there you may be able to get over this bad patch together. Good luck.

bobs · 04/10/2004 22:56

Hi Branster. I can relate to the first big paragraph of what you wrote earlier - making the effort and looking forward to him coming home, heart skipping a beat etc, then it all fading gradually and moulding yourself to suit his mood.
I had it for yrs till I decided not to put up with it any more.
He loves me and I care for him - could even love him again as long as he keeps on making the effort, and sex has even come back on the adgenda!!
I think in all/most marriages, that certain feeling you get in the earlier yrs fades and gets replaced by something more comfortable (god that sounds boring [smile}) - but perhaps more satisfying?? You can still think of old boyfriends and get that racing of the heart from the memories, but would you swop it for what you have now??
You need to tell him how you feel - ie depressed about your whole relationship - and that any effort he makes has to be for good. No, it will never be the same, 'coz you're moving ON. And no. it's certainley not trivial - it's important to you (so says she from her wealth of experience!!!)
Don't know about you, but I get like this from time to time, then it gets better and I wonder what it was all about - it builds up though.
Take care - hope you got your tax return done

newstart · 06/10/2004 20:47

Just a quick message as I'm trying not to spend too much time on MN.

Branster - I'm sorry that things haven't improved for you. I hope you can find a way to make your dh see how you feel. I think it's easy for any of us to fall into the "Why should I make the effort?" trap and it sounds like this is what he has done. I've learnt from you in this (I felt embarassed when I realised how you take care of your looks and how little, really, I took care of mine), and I am now, finally, on the road to improving my looks and the house, too. (I'm currently a SAHM, so most of it is my responsibility.) Sorry if this doesn't sound right, I'm trying to be quick. I think bobs is right in what she says. You do lose the heart flutter bit in time. Thinking of old loves or dishy men on tv is what makes my heart flutter! Take care. I hope things improve for you soon.

REB - I'm sorry that things are still the same, if not worse. I've tried to write a few sentences and it sounds all wrong, so I've just deleted it. Take care.

Sorry, must go. Take care all. ns xx

Branster · 06/10/2004 21:50

Thank you all for your messages. I know you're all so right in saying the problem needs to be discussed to get a precise answer out of DH. Unfortunately, I don't feel I can talk to him anymore, he seems very unapproachable and unavailable all the time. Even small things I bring to his attention would invariably bring some sort of negative comment out of him and that makes me very angry and am really doing my best not to respond as I know I'd come up with something that would hurt his feelings. Besides, he's not a very good communicator and he always feel the need to raise his voice (which Ii absolutely detest and have told him so in the past, but he just doesn't seem able to control himself). All the conversation we have is absolutely minimal which has led me to not telling him an awful lot of 'stories' I gather during the day (about family, neighbours, interesting things I've read or heard of, just chat) because every time I do that he either is totally uninterested (unless about DD) or ends the conversation in a manner that makes me feel like an idiot for thinking what I was telling him was important or interesting. So basically we don't talk about anything. And now I'm at a stage where I don't want to talk to him, I don't need him to change because it would be a forced change, the way he is now comes naturally to him, even if he'd change it would be for a short while. I just don't want him anymore at the moment. Don't know if I'll ever want him. He managed to put me right off himself.

Lonelymum, it is very disheartening not to be acknowledged, isn't it... I feel like an invisible housekeeper (at least housekeeper get spoken to politely and in a considerate manner). I did think about the issue of husbands being somewhat affected when their wives become mothers (birth & motherhood) and if that is the case (I don't know if it is) he is an absolute idiot especially as he wanted a child in the first place. I often feel that because he's got what he wanted from me there's no need for him to make any effort anymore. Just like a spider catches an insect in its web, the job it's done, if it's hungry, it'll eat it later. And I'm sure it doesn't even cross his mind that I could possibly ever cheat on him because there is no danger of me ever meeting anyone remotely interesting. Before, he was insecure at times, he wouldn't admit it but I felt I had the upper hand in a way because he didn't want to loose me and perhaps thought it was easy for me to stray. In a way that was flattering but in another way I felt such feelings were so wrong as I never intended looking at another man. All changed now I'm afraid, he just doesn't know it. At least I trust myself at present.

reallyembarrassedbut Hi! but you're still happy to maintain the partnership as it is, am I right? Do you ever think what else you could be doing or you don't want to leave her side because you love her or are too committed

dogwalker, thanks for you message. Don't even attempt to read all the messages, they spread over 3 threads and you'd fall asleep straightaway! I know you are absolutely right about the need to talk. I just don't feel like talking to him or approach him in any way as I said earlier. I don't think there is much love here. His behaviour towards me does not suggest any, and I'm very quickly running out of love for him. If I could I would move away. I just don't see how to do it in practical terms and it would break my heart to take DD away from her loving father. I would never leave DD either obviously so I am in a big big dilemma here.

bobs I always like your messages, very positive , encouraging and dynamic. And of course could never forget the pillows story (smile). It's just plain boring now, there is no fun, no expectations of nice things to come, I feel abandoned at an emotional level and lonely with DH right next to me. What is there to come back?I understand what you are saying, just don't see it happening to us. maybe your DH is more open as a person and that helped?

newstart, glad I could inspire you. Love your new name! Hmm...never used to look at these men on TV and think Oh yeah. It is happening now. I was driving home today and saw the most amazing looking guy waiting on the side of the road and I felt like gasping for air that's how impressed I was with his looks. And instead of looking at him discreetly through my sunglasses, like one should, I literally turned my head and looked straight at him whilst driving past. And my confident and, what I believed to be, discreet smile is not the done thing coming from a married woman. narrow street, cars parked both sides, nearly collided with the oncoming car. How cool is that?! I couldn't believe myself. How silly!! but in my defence he just looked like a poster. Off to bed now to have nice dreams about strange guys and car accidents!

newstart · 06/10/2004 22:48

Branster - Whoops! Thanks for making me smile! I sometimes say to the kids "How would you expect me to explain that one?" if they do something daft. Your story was funny, though! And understandable if he was very dishy, I think.

You spoke of a forced change in the first paragraph in your post. Well, this is what I had to do myself. Force myself to initiate things in the bedroom and now it's well on the way to being back to how it should be. I feel a lot lighter in myself now that I've stopped feeling how I did towards dh. This, of course, relates to my circumstances, not to yours, but it may help to hear it. In my mind, I focused too much on the bad and I started over-thinking about things. Yes, apparently there is such a word! Instead of over-thinking, it's good to set yourself a time limit for the over-thinking or worrying/fretting/whatever, and then spend the rest of the time virtually ignoring what's bothering you and concentrating on making your day as good as you can; for example taking up a new interest or going somewhere that you want to. I don't know if that makes any sense to you. I picked up a college prospectus recently and chose 3 A levels that I'd like to do if I was fit and well. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to do it, but it was fun just choosing. I don't know if you can make sense of any of this. I've got to go to bed now. Take care, and I'm glad you like my new name!

Branster · 07/10/2004 22:07

Thanks for your message newstart!
I understand what you are saying about making life seem more positive for yourself and taking pleasure out of things you enjoy or that are good for you. I am great believer in that myself too and agree you can get a lot of good feelings out of the smallest of things (like admiring a tree, I know it's very simple and basic and doesn't require any effort but there are such things that re-invigorate you and make you feel better).
I'm really, really happy for you that you made such changes in your life and already feel so much better about how things are going with your DH. I wish you both find your happiness together.
As I said before, now I don't want to try anymore. I don't even know what other methods to employ to be honest. As for the bedroom area, apart from taking up pole dancing, I think I've gone through all the suitable enticing methods whithout much success and after all there is only so much rejection a girl can take. Quite frankly, I found it degrading at times when there was no result. As a first step I stopped buying any new underwear, I have so much of the stuff, he's not even interested in, it'll take me years to wear it all on a daily basis. (Not tacky of course, i have my standards, but just nice things). So taht's a considerable saving. I rememebr he used to notice these things, now he's not that impressed. I could be the queen and he wouldn't notice me, that's how we are now... Must be off now, I've started limiting my time on here too, it eats up on my maintenance routine

newstart · 08/10/2004 21:02

Branster - Hi! Dh is due home soon, so this'll be quick. Yes, I know all about rejection. I thought truly that I would be rejected last night (dh has been working very hard this week) but I wasn't and it felt good.

Again, you're making me feel guilty. I've long since thought that I need to invest in some nice underwear and you've given me the push I need. I hope to ask dh for some for Christmas after drawing up a shortlist of suitable items with colours and sizes marked. I want him to get back into the habit of buying me Christmas and birthday presents.

I'm sorry, you seem to be helping me lots and I don't seem to be of any help to you. Is your dh happy in his work? Does he talk about it to you? Would he tell you if something was troubling him, whether it was work, finances, age, health, family members or anything? If none of this, is he happy in his life generally? Does he have a burning ambition to go up in a hot air balloon or anything that you could arrange for him? Sometimes I enter competitions in dh's name because I know he'd like the prize. He'd be so thrilled (I hope) if he won something, knowing that I did it for him. I know this sounds odd, doing something for him when he should be paying attention to you, but I'd hope that he couldn't fail to be impressed by the gesture and the thought behind it. Must go. Take care, ns

gettingthere - I seem to have funny things happening with my e-mails. If you've sent me a CAT, it hasn't arrived. If you read this, please let us know how you are. I, for one, am missing you. ns

Branster · 11/10/2004 22:32

newstart thanks for your message. i couldn't answer sooner over the week-end.

i'm really, really pleased that is all working so well for you now. you seem to be so much happier! great news! I really am happy for you. Thruthfully.

No, he isn't under major stress, less than average I would say. ofcourse there are problems needing attention and he takes care of such stuff. he tells me about work, finanaces etc and what he's working for. it all falls into place because he has he is switched on and knows what he has to do. but really, he doesn't have to struggle as such. i know other people who have a lot on their plate and are wonderfully attentive to their wives, even if these wives do less for them than i do for my DH. so i don't think he has a big worry or upset with his life or health as such.
as for big dreams...? we probably all have them, don't we, some very unrealistic. i always have big difficulties when i have to get him a present because he can and does get anything he wants for himself in materialistic terms. he also like to have his 'me' time reading a book or watching some sport now and then and i make sure he gets that without any fuss from me or disruptions. the only present that would really excite him as being most unusal or something he can't or wouldn't get himself is either an Aston Martin (that's out of the question obviously!) or a trip on a jet fighter (that's about £10 000 I think and I haven't got such money). So there we have it!
As for small tokens, he doesn't get excited about small stuff like I do. For example I would love to get some wild flowers that he would pick up himself when walking the dog say, but when he gets me flowers (and nowadays thsi is limited to special occasions mainly) he always brings me expensive flowers, which are beautiful but I feel a bit overwhelmed and I'm in fact quite a simple soul and perhaps I don't appreciate such things to their full value. It just doesn't come from the heart, it comes out of the wallet and I can imagine him letting the shop assistant to choose the flowers or perfume or whatever it is.

I don't know what else to do because now I just want to be on my own, I don't have the patience for him. I don't cvalue him like I used to not that long ago.
maybe it's true, people get bored, maybe that's what happened to him, I'm just not interesting enough anymore and it's probably as simple as that. Still no trave of evidence of him having even attemped an affaire though. Such a complicated situation.

On a different topic, I like coming back to this thread. it feels safe and welcoming and evryone here is so nice and helful. i can't believe how long it's been going on for!

How is everybody else? Thinking of you all

reallyembarrassedbut · 13/10/2004 13:58

Hey Branster, hi all

it all seems so difficult for everyone? I've tried over the past few weeks just to withdraw from it all, to not care, to try as hard as possible not to be a sexual person, but i am, and i feel guilty that it's so important to me as a part of who i am, and as a part of the relationship - there's other issue too that i won't burden you with, to do with sexuality itself, but it's really really hard sometimes.

bobs · 13/10/2004 23:06

Just dropped in to say Hi
Branster - your story about the gorgeous looking guy was funny. I saw one at a party a while ago. The problem was, I'd had a couple of white wines (that's all it takes nowadays!) - and I told him how gorgeous he was - in front of everyone - and he was onl half my age and the son of one of my friends . I looked upon it that I was trying to give him some confidence as he is quite shy - but wow - those eyes and that hair!!!!!!!

Your problems sound so similar to how mine were. It's difficult to say, but they were mainly solved by offering to separate, saying I'd had enough. I made it clear that I preferred to stay with him, but couldn't cope with his behaviour, and the only way I was going to stay was if that changed. The important thing was - he knew I meant it.

Oh - and I used to tell him he could pick weeds for me if he wanted, as long as he made the effort

newstart · 14/10/2004 14:27

Hi, everyone. This is just a short note to say that I'm not going to be around on MN either at all or else as much in future. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to go cold turkey or else pop in now and again. I wish you all the best of luck. Take care, ns xx

Branster · 14/10/2004 14:31

newstart I'll miss you!!! I hope you'll drop by now and then and I wish you with all my heart that all goes well for you! lots of hugs and thank you sooo much for all your support!
XXX

Branster

Branster · 14/10/2004 14:34

REB I hope you're OK. is there something you wanted to talk about? Anyhthing we can help with?
Take care of yourself!

Bobs, the weeds saying made me laught ! I hope I can post here a few months down the line and say 'Bobs was so right'. Don't see it happening yet though... Your own story is very helpful to me (from your past postings) and I'll keep it in mind as a success and something that can actually happen.

reallyembarrassedbut · 14/10/2004 23:00

nothing that isn't absurdly difficult to explain, but probably not what you're thinking, lol

jojo38 · 15/10/2004 10:50

Bit of a 'fickie' here. Is this thread about the actual act of intercourse or 'romance' and sex? I have tried to catch up with it but my eyes go boggled. (sorry).

Branster · 15/10/2004 19:22

REB, give us the details! Good it's not what I thought

Hi jojo38! The thread (this is actually part 3!) is more about trying to get back lost intimacy in a long-term relationship.
Not about the 'mechanics' of sex really.

reallyembarrassedbut · 18/10/2004 14:37

far FAR too embarrassed to tell you Bran

jojo38 · 18/10/2004 21:50

Thanks branster... was getting a bit worried there... didn't want to put my foot in it.

So, what is the answer??? I could do with any advice going!!!

Branster · 18/10/2004 22:04

jojo38, if I knew the answer, I wouldn't keep coming back to this thread (which by the way is on its 3rd part!!).

I for one haven't moved forward so far at all, but there are some success stories very kindly shared by other MNers and some very encouraging or specific posts written by some very nice people here.But you'd have to go through a load of messages for see them...

I personally like this thread because it feels very welcoming and caring and have found good advice along the way, also people's positive messages have helped me too.

Unfortunatelly newstart has left the thread, she was the originator of all this and she's a wonderful moderator. There's only a handful of people contributing here and it's nice to see them coming back.

It would be nice if you wanted to join in too, before you decide what to do I'd like to welcome you here!

Branster · 18/10/2004 22:07

REB I'm all intrigued now!!! You have to tell me what it is, I'm really curious now!

Is it to do speciffically with your, ahem, 'tool' (medical stuff) or you've gone and done it now with somebody else?!

How embarrasing can it be??

Waiting to find out now....

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