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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

Husband No Longer Interested

18 replies

KB67 · 15/03/2020 09:36

Long post, sorry.

What to do?!
I love my husband very much, we have been married for 20 years, we have 3 children ranging from ages 7 - 15.

We’ve always had a close relationship, we enjoy each other’s company, like the same things...holidays, drinking, eating, family fun stuff and we’ve had a heathy sex life, but the last couple of years sex has become almost none existent.

I brought this up around 12 months ago when we hadn’t had sex for around 10 weeks.
He said he was busy and his mind was on other things. We both have full time jobs, his is his own business, so I guess a little more stressful at times.

We agreed to make more time for each other and things were ok for a couple of months, then we hit a dry patch again.
And the same thing, I bring it up and it’s fixed for a couple of months.
I don’t mean during these couple of months we’re having sex every couple of days (chance would be a fine thing!) but maybe once a fortnight.

It’s happened again, we have been intimate twice since November. I know for some that is normal and ok, but not for me.
I spoke to him about it a week ago, asked if it was me, explained that I feel unwanted, undesirable, etc, or was it sex in general that he’s not interested in. He said of course it’s neither, he’ll make more effort etc and we carry on making dinner. Usually that evening some effort would be made, however not this evening.

A couple of days ago, we were off work, children were at school.
We were going out for lunch and I suggested before we left home, we had some time together and got intimate. He kind of sighed and said “oh really, now?”
I got angry and swore saying “ffs, when is a good time then?”
To which he then followed me out of the bedroom saying “ok then, come on”

I got angry and upset and shouted to forget it because it’s clear he can’t be bothered or doesn’t want to and that we are like room mates, just co-habiting and co-parenting.

I calmed down, we still went out for lunch, we had a great afternoon actually, eating, drinking, collected the children from school and we played board games that evening and had lots of fun with them.
I thought perhaps tonight would be the night, but alas, no and still nothing since.

I’m 100% confident he’s not having an affair, so he’s not getting it elsewhere.

From my point of view, it’s really starting to become a big issue for me and is driving a wedge between us.

As I’m typing this i’m thinking “actually, we don’t hug or hold hands anymore, and don’t go out of our way to kiss each other “hi” or “goodbye” either.

No idea what to do next. I know if I bring it up again, I’ll get upset and angry and too be honest, I’m sick of being the one who is bothered and has to bring it up time and time again!

Not sure what I’m expecting in terms of responses, but good to get it off my chest!

TIA

OP posts:
VeeBe · 15/03/2020 10:59

I can relate to how you feel, our sex life has been terrible since we had kids (who are a bit younger than yours).

It's been mostly dry for a few years and nothing for probably getting on for a year now. It's really quite depressing.

I wish I had an solution to the problem but until he decides he wants it again then I'm stuck. Same for you I guess.

I don't know about you but the only person I want is my husband and silly little things turn me on however, given the amount of times I've been knocked back I've given up trying to progress things.

It probably won't be too long until I stop getting excited for him him and give up all together, especially seeing as the menopause is likely only a few years away.

probablysue · 15/03/2020 19:48

How tricky. Are you SURE he isn’t interested in somebody else?

madcatladyforever · 15/03/2020 19:55

Trouble is it's a never ending cycle, I have very litte/asexual sex drive and my ex husband who had an extremely high sex drive going on and on about it just kept putting more and more wedges between us. Eventually he only had to look at me and I shrank away from him and didn't even want to hold hands with him any more.
I think when you reach this stage you really have to go for counselling because it's the beginning of the end of the relationship.

MulticolourMophead · 15/03/2020 20:07

You had a healthy sex life until a couple of years ago, so I wouldn't be so sure he's not having an affair.

The lack of interest could also indicate a medical issue, but I've seen so many threads on here where OPs are certain their DH couldn't be having an affair, then surprise, he is.

Anothernick · 15/03/2020 23:50

There are many possible reasons why you DH might have lost interest, an affair is one but it could also be excessive use of porn, a medical issue, alcohol, drugs, stress, depression, performance anxiety etc etc.

Sex is the glue in an LTR, it keeps you together when everything else is falling apart, I speak from personal experience I've been with my DW almost thirty years and I don't think I'd be saying that if it wasn't for a strong and continuing sexual attraction. You need to try and make this clear to him, his lack of interest is making you feel unloved and risking your relationship. Your desire for satisfaction is perfectly reasonable, a lack of intimacy is an indication of fundamental problems in a relationship and a serious threat to its long term survival.

Zaphodsotherhead · 16/03/2020 11:02

How old are you both?

Could it be a medical issue that he's just embarrassed about? Would he go and have his testosterone levels checked?

mamato3lads · 16/03/2020 12:18

My husband is the same, it’s awful isn’t it? I fancy the pants off him, always have and he says I drive him mad, always eyeing me up, pinching my bum but sex is boring and infrequent and he doesn’t put much effort in unless I kick off, which I do every few months. No advice as I have tried everything to reignite the passion... literally everything imaginable! He’s tired. He works hard. Runs his own company like your DH and is always focussed on that. I get a quick shag when he’s up for it. Even when I hint all day....nothing. Completely certain there’s no one else. We’ve been together a long time too, perhaps they get bored and complacent, but it’s unlikely he doesn’t find you attractive, more likely he just can’t be bothered anymore

Great isn’t it . Good luck Flowers

Missarad · 16/03/2020 12:25

Know the feeling. My husband can barely rouse to the occasion as hes over drinking and wants to wait till 2am -he has ocd and by which time both exhausted!

KB67 · 16/03/2020 13:59

thanks everyone for your replies.

If he was having an affair i'd be shocked and wonder where the hell he finds the time because there is no time, we have 3 children who go to various clubs in the evenings, we're the taxi! We spend evenings and weekends together as a family.

A couple of people mentioned anxiety and depression - perhaps there's something there. He does drink every evening, as a way to 'de-stress' from work/business, so again, perhaps there is something in that.

We're in our mid 40s, I can't bare the thought of having sex once every 3 months for the rest of my life and it being a constant battle for that one occasion!

I will chat with him again, this evening, mentioning the drinking, stress, etc and also really let him know how it's making me feel.

I will keep you updated.

OP posts:
TheStuffedPenguin · 16/03/2020 14:15

I believe that this is a really common problem for couples ESP when kids are this age . Yes all the fun has gone and it is one long slog with kids, working etc . Yes there may be another woman or a medical problem but usually it is "just life" . It's an easy trap to fall into but difficult to get out .If you don't get this fixed then it only gets worse and you end up one of these many women who post that they haven't had sex for years and years . I've been there and it's awful and that is why we split up . My now H and I have a very loving and physical relationship and it makes a world of difference to my life . I can't believe I put up with it for so long . I guess you need to talk this through and maybe have some counselling about this .

Anothernick · 16/03/2020 18:45

Daily drinking is in itself a red flag and would certainly reduce his libido. Tell him that sex is a healthier way of relieving stress than booze! Mid 40s is far too young to give up on sex, most men are potent well into their 60s especially if they DTD regularly. Use it or lose it!

Sadiesnakes · 17/03/2020 02:56

Does he use a lot of porn op? Perhaps check his browser history, seems to be the main cause of lack of male sexual interest these days.

KB67 · 29/01/2024 22:32

Well, I realise it's been a while (almost 4 years) but I thought i'd update anyway.

He wasn't having an affair. It was alcohol.

I did allude to daily alcohol use...that was both of us, not just him. 3 or 4 drinks each every night, and I mean every night, 7 days a week, no day off in months and months! Fri, Sat and Sun would be 7-8 drinks per day at least.
It was affecting him differently than me. I was getting up every day and thinking the feeling of tiredness and haziness was normal. That was pretty much the sum total of how it affected me though (liver aside!).
For him though, it was causing lots of issues, mainly depression and anxiety - that neither of us could see because we kept pouring another drink and it was masking it.

A very long story short, he realised his problem, there was a breaking point, and he asked for help. He ended up off the booze for 6 months. Had a relapse, but stopped again and has now been 16 months dry.
I don't drink at home anymore, and in fact, only socially, probably once a month. Not drinking at home started as a way of me supporting him, and it just became the norm - and it's the best thing i've ever done!

I cannot begin to tell you how much our lives have improved - i'm sorry we didn't do it sooner.
The thing that we did together for 25 years, our 'thing', is what almost broke us!

Now, our relationship is as good as it's ever been - our communication with each other, our energy, our motivation, and our sex life.

OP posts:
LoveItaly · 29/01/2024 23:00

What a lovely update! So pleased you found out what the issue was and have got your relationship back on track, I hope you have a long and happy life together.

SunflowerTed · 29/01/2024 23:11

Great update. Really pleased for you xx

Aikko · 30/01/2024 08:40

How wonderful! Well done!

Seaoftroubles · 30/01/2024 09:07

Great update! And well done to both of you for recognising and overcoming the problem.

Anothernick · 30/01/2024 09:14

Congratulations. So nice to read of a happy ending, you don't get many of those on here!

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