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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

Would you leave?

6 replies

Allbarone · 15/09/2018 14:29

This might be long so sorry in advance.

Been with my DH 8 years. We have lots in common, have fun together, spend lots of time together. The love is still there.

We've both gained weight over the years, me around 4 stone (him around 2)- and I wasn't skinny to start with (neither was he).

From the get go he's always had issues with sexual performance. It took us a good 3-4 months to have sex as he has trouble maintaining erections. We have it down now; one position only, very little foreplay, got to make use of the morning wood. This is the only way we can manage to have sex. It lasts 2-3 minutes. I can accept this. I'd rather not, I have asked him to see a GP, but he hasn't and I won't push it again. I can live with this. He isn't selfish and will make sure I get my time afterwards so fine.

But in the last 9 months or so the frequency has massively declined. I think we've had sex twice in the last two months. Again I could probably just about live with this as I love him ... Except other forms of intimacy have dropped off as well (massages, cuddles, random kisses around the house, date nights) to near non existence. He'll still kiss me goodnight and respond if I initiate a hug etc. But not starting it himself anymore.

I do know that he watches porn (although not with me, nor when I'm home. I found out purely by coincidence as he accidentally left it open once and I saw it when I got home - and yes it was an accident, web browser hadnt closed properly and did the "reopen last page" thing)

I also know he's not having an affair. I know this 110% for various reasons.

All of the above leads me to believe the only possible conclusion is that he no longer finds me attractive. I must admit my own self confidence is struggling due to weight gain .... I am taking measures and have lost a stone already.

In my head, I am thinking that I'll be patient and wait until I've lost the weight and I'm comfortable with myself again and see if this cycle of behaviour continues at that point .... If it doesn't then great. If it does .. I think we have a problem.

I am only 30years old. Everything else about our lives is great. Would I be utterly unreasonable, if once I have lost the weight he still isn't showing me the level of physical intimacy I need and is still refusing to see a doctor, to end our marriage?

I can't live the rest of my life having my self confidence battered by having a husband that doesn't want me sexually, that has no passion for me. It makes my mood spiral and affects my outlook on everything else as well as once I feel down it tailspins into a fun on bad mood regarding everything else i.e friends, work.

OP posts:
RedPencil · 16/09/2018 12:16

I think I would leave as I couldn't have a sex life like that, so regimented. Although I appreciate when you're in the situation where you love someone it becomes a thousand times more difficult.

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 16/09/2018 12:21

Have you told him that you have reached the point of thinking about leaving? Could he be pushed into getting help do you think, if he knew how badly it was affecting you?

My husband suffers from Ed related to his diabetes and he tried to pretend there was no problem for a long time. It was only when I pushed him into it that he saw his GP and got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which led to an effective treatment or both conditions being sorted out.

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 16/09/2018 12:22

I meant Erectile Dysfunction, in case that wasn't clear, not some random bloke called Ed!

Angelf1sh · 16/09/2018 12:25

That doesn’t sound like it’s about you, it sounds like a psychological thing for him. Talk to him and tell him how he’s making you feel and see if he’s prepared to take steps (eg see his gp) to improve things. I wouldn’t leave him over a low sex drive, but I would over him not caring about my emotional well-being.

Tattletale · 16/09/2018 12:28

You say he had gained weight? Could he be feeling unattractive, and self conscious which is why he has withdrawn from intimacy. I think you are going to have to bite the bullet and have a full and frank conversation about where you are both at.

helen7788 · 19/09/2018 15:41

My DH had the same ED problem
We read about External Penile Support Devices
We got one --Works every time even if he
has a "Headache"
Just Lovin It !
and has restored our Physical Relationship

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