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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

Healthy Sex Life

247 replies

ANormalHusband · 15/11/2019 20:29

Hello all, I'm sure many of you have heard all this before but I'm looking for some advice.

My DW and I have been together for over 10 years and have two children (Younger than 10). We're both in our early thirties.

Over the last year or so I've become increasingly frustrated over my DWs lack of interest in sex and unwillingness to try to spice things up a bit. Prior to this we've always had a fairly healthy sex life but I just feel like things have slowed right down over the last year or so and her interest in sex is really low. Which she admits herself.
We still do it maybe once a week. But even then it's a "quick one" which in some ways I'd rather not bother with. I also work away for a number of weeks so feel like when I'm home we should be making up for lost time.
When I'm away I try to do a bit of flirting via text to build up some excitement but she just says she's not into it and shuts me down.
All of this has ended up with me feeling pretty depressed and moody as I feel like there must be an issue and she no longer finds me attractive in that way. She's adamant there's nothing wrong and I'm just being paranoid.

I've tried talking to her, suggested different things like adult board games, etc but she just will not entertain the conversation. She just gets upset and says that I'm putting to much pressure on it, and doesn't feel comfortable talking about it and gets uptight and if I relax more then it will happen more naturally.
I've tried this, and left any initiation to her but most of the time nothing happens other than a quickie (Which I think she just does to get it out of the way) which then leads back to me feeling down and moody. It just seems like we're stuck in a viscous circle and I don't know what I need to do to get out of it!?
Other than that our relationship is fine. We bicker about little things like most but nothing serious.
She's has a great figure and I compliment her all the time and tell her how attractive I find her and she's not overly body conscious. That I know of anyway.

Am I expecting too much?
I just want a bit more fun, excitement and intimacy.
Any advice?

OP posts:
SimplySteveRedux · 15/11/2019 23:52

Ask your wife if she'd like to work away whilst you stay at home with the kids. I rather expect she'll rip your hands off for the chance.

SimplySteveRedux · 15/11/2019 23:54

That's without the selfish edge, moods, tempers and lack of value in her as a person.

user1471449295 · 16/11/2019 00:00

Maybe you make her skin crawl

Sohololopopo · 16/11/2019 00:09

@user1471 haha!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 16/11/2019 00:11

When a partner works away, you dont have all the little every day intimacies...the cuddle and a kiss in the kitchen while cooking, the foot rub on the sofa,
the chats about your day, the cuddles in bed at the end of the day.
You end up having a phone conversation where you tell each other about your day in a way that ends up being dull.
Then when you are together there is a pressure to make the most of the time together.
I would never recommend working away from home. It's really bad for a marriage. In my opinion and experience.

Deadringer · 16/11/2019 00:17

Op you say this has been going on for about a year, assuming that she didn't have your younger child in the last year or so did something happen this past year, did you only start working away recently? You want more sex and it appears that your wife wants less, or even none, there must be a reason for this. You really need to talk to her about this, no matter how reluctant she is to discuss it. If she wants less sex this is really not the time to try to spice things up or introduce games or toys. Resentment is a huge passion killer, does she resent the fact that you work away and she has to hold the fort? I went off sex because my dh pissed me off so much. He was lazy, did piss all in the house, was crap with the kids, spent most of his free time ignoring me and playing computer games, then was aghast that I wasn't interested in having sex with him. I didn't go off sex, I just didn't want it with him. I am not saying you are anything like that, but if your dw is unhappy or resentful she won't be interested, so you really need to get to the bottom of it, or you will eventually split imo.

DBML · 16/11/2019 00:20

Hi op

I think sometimes couples are just mismatched in libido.

I have a very high sex drive, whilst DH’s was quite low (once a week).

It would leave me feeling terrible. Frustrated, resentful, unattractive, rejected to name a few emotions I went through. I would cry myself to sleep and be very quiet with him for days after a rejection. Other than sex, our relationship was fantastic.

But, had things not improved I would have left, or cheated. That’s the reality. I love him a lot, but I felt that I needed to have a fulfilling sexual relationship as well, otherwise it was just a great friendship.

Lucky for me, DH went to his gp and with testosterone treatment, our sex life has improved dramatically. Obviously your Dw can’t do this. So you need to really talk to her. If she won’t listen, write her a letter. She needs to appreciate that this is a serious issue for you.

flobonobo · 16/11/2019 00:24

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras I get what you are trying to say ie offer the other side - that it’s not a bed of roses. But I live both sides. Categorically being away and focussing on one thing ie work. Is so much easier than running a home and children single handedly. I do both, I do both frequently.

When I’ve been away for a week with work, I’ve worked hard, day and night, have jet lag usually, but I still come back way more vibrant and up for sex than I do having been at home all week (working, kids, school runs, homework, bags, plays, ironing, housework, shopping, cooking etc)

Family chores wear you down. Kids are exhausting as you repeat yourself 3... to maybe 10 times for every request (clean your teeth, put your shoes on, put your coat on etc). It’s not the same as working in my experience. Work is categorically seen as a break vs kids between me and my peers.

@ANormalHusband id suggest removing all pressure, requests, moodiness etc. Focussing on how you can both have a break to relax regularly. I know if I go out for a couple of hours for drinks with friends, I come back buzzing and full of life. If your wife is not getting her own pleasure/break/escapism and waiting for you to hint, pressure on sex, she won’t want to. Further she’s probably so used to being a part time single parent you may upset the balance when you are home. That’s a tough one, so I think you have to prove you being home is positive not negative.

You sound like you are listening, so apologies for my earlier rude post. But you have to remove all expectations, pressure, moodiness and in my view ensure she’s getting some rest bite. If you have a connection and you love each other the rest should then fall into place and you’ll be getting what you’re after too! That’s my experience anyhow!

At the same time I get you are away proving and want yo rebond when you get home. It’s tough hey, but you made a family and with that comes exhaustion through responsibility. Be kind where you can and hopefully you’ll see the same in return. Good luck.

flobonobo · 16/11/2019 00:26

*providing

ferrier · 16/11/2019 00:33

"Do you always make sure she orgasms at least twice before PIV?"

Good god .... please don't assume that all women need two orgasms before PIV. Talk about the pressure on the woman to 'perform' .... what a libido dampener that is.

OP .... does your wife still enjoy intimacy .... welcome it or push you away (assuming all kids in bed and all chores done). If she pushes you away then maybe suggest 2 weeks / a month with no sex but with cuddles and affection. To be reviewed and any changes instigated by her. See how that goes. If she never instigates change it may be time for you to decide what you want out of the marriage.

flobonobo · 16/11/2019 00:53

Jesus @ferrier like a schedule!? I’d feel so much pressure if that was suggested. Maybe it wouldn’t be for her though OP.

I love sex.....when I’m up for it, it’s when I’m feeling good, if someone popped a schedule to me Like Nov - no sex, December sex scheduled for 14th-15th, I’d die and do all I could to avoid it I think!

@ANormalHusband has your wife put on weight? I hate sex when I’m fat/fatter.
When I started playing hockey I got fit and was more up for it, but having freedom and time to take care of yourself and exercise is always a huge problem.

flobonobo · 16/11/2019 00:59

Oh also @ANormalHusband being really blunt. As per previous posters. If you get this all back on track, do you whole heartedly believe you’re doing your best in bed? She will more likely miss good sex hey? Any time you do manage to get intimate going forward, maybe focus on either her pleasure signals (touch, oral etc) or if a penetration quickie (where she doesn’t come) that you focus on your technique to at least make it feel good/pleasurable for her.

I like a quickie but it has to be a hard and sensual fuck frankly!

MrsTerryPratchett · 16/11/2019 01:33

MN is more a lioness’ den (although not a fan of that phrase).

Aren't we a nest of vipers?

sprouts21 · 16/11/2019 05:17

My ex husband regularly got moody about lack of sex. I would often let him fuck on me just so the house wasn't dominated by his bad mood. He was happy to do this knowing I wasn't into it and I hated him for it.

He also went on about my lack of effort and would make various suggestions about spicing things up. As if it wasn't bad enough being fucked on to avoid a mood I was then criticised for not acting enthusiastic enough.

You've acknowledged you are moody about sex and that your wife is probably doing it to get it over and done with. You need to stop having sex with her when you know she doesn't want it.

What does your moodiness about sex really look like, and where are your kids when these moods happen?

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 16/11/2019 07:49

OH god, please stop using the phrase "spice things up" unless you literally mean adding nutmeg or cardamon to your lube

That's to EVERYONE

cooldarkroom · 16/11/2019 08:24

Another thought, when you are home, are you constantly off playing Golf, Cycling, drinking with your mates..? that would be just peachy

ferrier · 16/11/2019 08:46

Not a schedule no ..... where did I say that? It's no sex until wife instigates. And it's taking any pressure of sex away so they can try to rebuild intimacy.

Wheresmyshittingmeat · 16/11/2019 08:49

This has made my blood boil. Just another example of men and their massive entitlement to sex. Your poor wife has retreated into her shell because you are putting sex with her above everything else. Why do you think she needs to also engage in spicing things up? Maybe she just doesn't want to spice things up and guess what? She doesn't bloody have to! And as for the moodiness, shame on you and the biggest turn off ever. If I was her, I'd send you on your merry way. You are behaving incredibly badly. Adult boardgames? There are no words.

ElspethFlashman · 16/11/2019 09:05

sprouts21 is spot on. Who wants to spice things up with a sulky fucker who has a face like a wet weekend? Yuck.

VisionQuest · 16/11/2019 10:10

I think GroundFloors response was spot on.

When women are tired, stressed, emotional etc, generally speaking, the last thing that we want to do is have sex. Men play by a different set of rules with regards to this. It has taken my own husband a VERY along time to understand this and I'm still not sure he does completely.

Take the expectation of sex off the table for a moment, listen to her, talk to her, connect with her.

If she feels emotionally supported by you then she'll likely be way more interested.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that just because you've had a nice day/night that sex will be on the cards.

And for gods sake, please stop sulking. You need to find a way to manage your frustration because there is nothing more off putting than a sulking man and feeling like you have to fuck him to keep the peace.

Dadaist · 16/11/2019 12:56

OP - please don’t let posters like @Wheresmyshittingmeat gaslight you. It is perfectly OK to want a sexual relationship with the person you love - and while no one is entitled to receive it - they are entitled to leave the relationship. It’s not OK to expect you to ‘put up and shut up’ - it’s soul destroying.
The truth is that yes - some things can make it worse and sulking about it certainly will!

But the biggest problem is what no one really seems to be addressing-that your DW refuses to talk about it. We don’t know whether your work away, her unhappiness in life or any number of behaviour from you is the cause. And MN will normally advise to get the hoover round and try and be cheerful-and sometimes that actually works - but rarely without having the conversation!

And it’s not about ‘sex’ is it? It’s about intimacy, being desired, having someone accept your sexuality, and a partner wanting to express their sexuality with you. And it’s perfectly normal to want that in a marriage.

Honestly- most people most of the time want a healthy sex life. It’s more common for women than men to think they’ve lost their libido entirely, when it’s just that they’ve stopped being attracted to their partner and are not seeking out another. When they find someone new it all comes back into focus!

So you have to have that last conversation with your DW - and explain that your needs are not being met - and that it seems that hers aren’t being met either, but that you can’t go on. Hopefully she will agree to counselling to sift through what’s wrong. But if not - then you have to be prepared to agree to no sex, or an open marriage or to separate. Good luck OP.

Wallywobbles · 16/11/2019 14:15

Can I just add most of us can manage a quicky fairly often. But if you're expecting anything over 15 mins you are likely to be shit out of luck. There last thing I want is a marathon. Ever again. My youngest is 11.

horse4course · 16/11/2019 14:32

I've seen these posts before OP. The answer is always housework.

The question is always a variation on 'why doesn't my partner, who works like a donkey, want to snap out of domestic stuff and have wild sex?'

It's because she works like a donkey and can't just flip into sex mode.

DBML · 16/11/2019 15:15

The contrast between responses on this thread and another thread called ‘sexless marriage’ is astonishing.

As an adult, you are entitled to a sex life. If you don’t get that from your partner, then leave.

No one should be forced to have sex.
No one should be forced to be celibate.

category12 · 16/11/2019 15:20

This chap isn't celibate. He's not getting as much sex as he'd like and h'd like it spicier, but they have sex once a week. Try actually reading what's been said by the op.