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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

So.... what happens when you want it and he doesn't?

24 replies

Flame · 28/05/2007 23:29

We get all the "ooh he wants me monthly and I am only happy with every 12 months" kind of threads - and we all wave our pitchforks at the pressuring man and gently suggest that doing things more often might increase sex drives...

So what happens when you want it and he just can't be arsed??? Is pressurring (I have tried to spell that 5 times now but wine and fingers aren't working) still mean when it is the woman that wants it???

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 29/05/2007 00:44

Um, don't know. This situation is not within my experience. I suppose I would retire to the bathroom with a dirty book same as what he does.

hunkermunker · 29/05/2007 00:49

Gusset typing?

Chepstow1 · 29/05/2007 01:58

MMM, hard one this. I am married to a man who has a very low sex drive. Before I had DS it did not really bother me. We were both working hard, dual careers, travelling etc and coming home to a lovely bloke who liked nothing more that a cuddle on the sofa was just lovely. Then along came my son and I suddenly needed to feel wanted. Over the last few years things have dwindled further and it has really begun to affect my self esteem. I would say don't bury whatever you are feeling and talk about it openly. At times I have got very resentful about him not feeling that little or no sex for long periods (we are talking months and months) is an acceptable state of play.

This is a really delicate area, don't let things fester tho! Good luck x

ChasingSquirrels · 29/05/2007 07:28

I would just agree not to let it fester - we are the other way round, and I really didn't know how much it was affecting dh until last year when we nearly split up when it all came to a head - after 15 years together - its getting better now, not because I necessarily want it more, but because I do love him and when we do it I enjoy it - so I try and get myself in the mood more often.

bananabump · 29/05/2007 07:45

hmm. Tried watching a sexy film together? Not porn just a sexy film. Gives you an excuse for wandering hands on the sofa, and he's more likely to let you since men are more visually stimulated than women.

Has he always had a low sex drive, or is it a recent development? If it's a recent thing maybe it's that he can't seperate you from "Mummy mode" in his mind to be the dirty sex godess he was used to before they came along (I'm assuming you have kids, here!) or that he's a bit depressed with work or home life.

Another thought, if you haven't had sex for a long while, is maybe he's having problems in his downstairs area? Maybe he's worried he might not get an erection and doesn't want you to know, or for him to have to discuss it.

I think if his loss of interest in sex has come on recently you have a right to question him tactfully about it, after all there are myriad reasons why someone can lose their libido, anything from a reaction say to antidepressants, depression itself, emotional changes etc

In the meantime if he's still giving you cuddles and telling you he loves you, take matters into your own hands until he resolves his issues, and if you think he might feel upset that you're taking care of your own pleasure then dont let him catch you at it. Or if you think it might turn him on, do let him catch you at it!

Just not with an enormous plastic phallus in your hand. Might not go down too well.

Dior · 29/05/2007 08:14

Message withdrawn

bananabump · 29/05/2007 11:50

Dior, sorry to butt in with my two-penneth but I've never understood men like that who only like you ONE way...I thought it was in sickness and health etc? What if you get ill and don't look your best then? does that give him the right to cry off then as well?

After the back hair, nose hair, ear hair, bald pates, beer bellies and questionable personal hygiene women put up with for men, I don't really think they have a right to comment when we put on a few pounds (which is natural if you have kids, anyway!)

Sometimes I think if I could find a vibrator that could open tight jamjars I wouldn't need a man.

But who am I kidding.

MissGolightly · 29/05/2007 11:56

Flame, I am (temporarily I hope) more in the he -wants-it-and-I-am-too-knackered camp, but fwiw I don't think it is wrong to exert a little gentle pressure - whether you are a man or a woman.

Of course both parties should know when it goes beyond persuasion and into harassment, but I like the fact that DP wants to have sex, even when I don't. And I would never resent him for making the suggestion. Again. And again. And again! If it weren't for DP's persistence we probably wouldn't HAVE a sex-life so I am grateful for his perseverance.

(I have also, pre-baby, been in the other situation when he was working v hard and I was not and yes, I did all I could to "persuade" him)

Flame · 29/05/2007 13:41

Aww Dior - thank you for remembering. Things seem to be picking up.

There isn't a desperate problem here - more just I have suddenly regained my sex drive and am a touch overenthusiastic

OP posts:
Dior · 30/05/2007 13:23

Message withdrawn

Flame · 30/05/2007 17:56

I'm good

Things seem to be going smoothly with DH (apart from mismatched sex drives ), I'm feeling fairly stable and although things are hectic I am actually coping.

OP posts:
Dior · 30/05/2007 17:59

Message withdrawn

bonkerz · 30/05/2007 18:06

This issue is a big problem for me and DH. Im the one who always wants it and he doesnt! Dont know how to sort it either and regularly resort to giving him a day when i expect sex and making him stick to it! Also find that if i turn him down when he wants it (VERY HARD TO DO BUT WORTH IT) he does make more of and effort!
Also a great believer in making him think it was his idea!!!!!

Dior · 30/05/2007 18:09

Message withdrawn

toasted · 30/05/2007 18:12

your husbands are more than likely out shagging other people, have you not read any other threads on here.

Dior · 30/05/2007 18:13

Message withdrawn

Flame · 30/05/2007 18:20

I could be wrong but I think that would involve him leaving the house occasionally

OP posts:
Otter · 30/05/2007 18:22

he still does even if he does not want to - he's good that way!

Flame · 30/05/2007 18:23

So does mine with some gentle persuation It was whether or not the gentle persuation was actually mean pressure if it were the other way round that was the inital point of the thread

(I think anyway... I had had a few glasses of wine!!)

OP posts:
Otter · 30/05/2007 18:26

just read whole thread sorry for silly quip
i am big at the moment but dp says he loves my knockers - so i am trying to be happy with my weight ( not easy)
SEIOUSLY though - i dont think i would be eager for a bloke who 'went off me' when i was one weight or another' it does not sound that nice

one day soon i will be sagging around dragging my prolapsed bits in a trolley behind me - i would not want him to stop loving me

ktmoomoo · 30/05/2007 18:26

lol thought this funny

Otter · 30/05/2007 18:26

Flame...'few glasses of wine' - nips off to check the time that flame posted

Otter · 30/05/2007 18:27

oh i see - it was last night lol - forgiven!!!

NotQuiteCockney · 30/05/2007 18:42

It's a tricky line to walk, gentle persuasion. You don't want to be whinging for it (very attractive) or actually putting real pressure on someone ('if you loved me, you would ...').

I'd think, same as for mismatched sex drives the other way, the answer is either some private time, or something a bit 'less' than intercourse, iyswim.

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