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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

Why has DH called a sexual health clinic

167 replies

WhyCouldThisBe · 30/09/2020 03:42

I’m having a sudden bad feeling he’s cheated or why else would he call a sexual health clinic. Saw the number on his phone as somewhere he called at 9am recently - it came up as sexual health clinic due to his phone automatically guessing the number and he stayed on the line for 44 seconds. Is there any other reason other than a STI check why a guy would call that number? Funny stuff going on with his bits?? Weird feelings down there? Pain? I don’t know. He hasn’t mentioned any issues down there and we have had unprotected sex since he called the number. As far as I know he hasn’t attended an appointment so I’m wondering what on earth this call could be about. Yes I could ask him but then I wouldn’t be able to explain why I looked at his phone (I was snooping). Help please!

OP posts:
slidingdrawers · 03/10/2020 11:35

Sounds like you are on it. Be alert though for a crash in the next few days when the adrenaline that's kept you going so far naturally drops. Take care OP.

WhyCouldThisBe · 03/10/2020 11:51

Thanks @slidingdrawers I’m fully prepared for a crash and have had several weepy / full on bawling moments in all this time, though I may seem strong it obviously hurts immensely. Just trying to keep it together in front of the kids mostly Sad

OP posts:
BestUseADifferentName · 03/10/2020 12:27

I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach for about a month after it happened to me.

I actually just got round to doing a home STI test this week (well over a year later, mainly out of fear). I've not had the results yet.

billy1966 · 03/10/2020 12:42

Im sure it must be so hard to get your head around the sheer enormity of what he has done.

To put the mother of his 4 young children at such risk health wise.

Unbelievable.

Thank goodness you have suportive family.

Make sure you tell everyone you know.
Do not protect him.

If one of my friends told me that their husband had done this to them...he would be dead to me...and I really mean it.

He is such a disgrace.
Be sure to tell his family.

Infidelity happens....but putting you at risk like this is another thing altogether.
Flowers

Graphista · 03/10/2020 13:55

Glad you have good support from your parents, bet they're livid with him!

My wee mum, generally a very easy going sort, was absolutely furious with my ex! And on more than one occasion!

If you find you cycle through various emotions then don't feel there's anything wrong. These things take their own time. totally agree, I was completely blindsided by the sadness I felt when my divorce was finalised as it was a few years later and I thought I was "over it" totally threw me, my close friend at the time also a divorcee and in her case they'd grown apart and she's fallen out of love and it was her decision said she felt the same, she rightly said nobody marries planning to divorce and its normal to regret that it didn't work out.

@VivaMiltonKeynes reported as that's against tgs - entirely possible, I told someone in real life of my suspicions before I had definitive proof, it was actually their wise counsel that meant I was able to find that proof! I also contacted the first lawyer the day after I ended the relationship it's not hard to make a phone call and make an appointment.

Sounds like you are on it. Be alert though for a crash in the next few days when the adrenaline that's kept you going so far naturally drops. Take care OP.

Definitely, anger will take you so far, at some point it'll hit you in a different way

I also felt the need to do the sti test crap, horrible and the last thing you want to deal with but necessary, thankfully no infections but more luck than judgment on exes part!

WhyCouldThisBe · 03/10/2020 14:34

God it is hard I have moments where I feel completely determined and then other moments where I think I’m not ready to mourn the death of the marriage. Even though he killed it! I see him with the kids and I know how much they will miss him when he’s gone. The everyday stuff I mean. And yes I know he caused that too. But it’s hard to continue cutting the cord. As you can tell this afternoon I’m having a bit of a weak moment. Wondering how I’ll feel when I’m divorced. Listening to days of all his apologies and promises. I know it’s all bullshit. If he’s capable of doing it once he’s more than capable of doing it god knows how many times. I just don’t know if I can go through with it. I was strong when I was speaking to the solicitor - even she said people don’t change and I was doing the right thing. But then I wonder if she says that to all the clients just to get them to go through with it. Or whether it’s true that people don’t change. What do you all think. He’s a nob I know. Is he always going to be one?

OP posts:
WhyCouldThisBe · 03/10/2020 14:35

@BestUseADifferentName I’m so sorry. I hope it comes back negative and you’re able to move on from it all and be happy x

OP posts:
Graphista · 03/10/2020 14:52

Moments of doubt and weakness are totally normal, but I have to say no I don't think people like him change.

Cheating is bad enough, the lying, gaslighting, betrayal...using prostitutes (which in my opinion is rape as you can't buy consent, and the way most prostitutes become them is due to major vulnerability) is a whole other level, there's also the sexual heath side and that he spent money that should have stayed within the family on his activities.

I think you'd regret staying with him and it would be soul destroying

SandyY2K · 03/10/2020 14:53

If he’s capable of doing it once he’s more than capable of doing it god knows how many times.

Do you believe this is the first time he's done it?

I totally get your anger, that he would do this during a global pandemic, exposing you to additional risk, beyond your sexual health.

Mourning the end of your marriage will be difficult...no doubt about it.

I honestly don't know how some women are able to continue in a marriage after something like this....it's not just the infidelity, I see that some can work through that, but going to a prostitute would just kill the love for me.

RenascenceWoman · 03/10/2020 16:07

You've got to do what's right for you op. There's no rush. Take your time. You & the DCs are the priority. People can change, I'm sure. This is about sex - not you. Flowers

Flittingaboutagain · 03/10/2020 16:37

Oh OP. This could be the first time you found out not the first time he did it.

He cared more about himself than your life that's the upshot here. He could have given you a life changing life limiting disease.

He had a second chance. How many more? If you stay he will do it again because he clearly wasn't just looking when you caught him before. He had an opportunity then to seek counselling for whatever was driving that behaviour. He didn't!

He has blown his second chance.

SortingItOut · 03/10/2020 16:50

@WhyCouldThisBe
Men like him dont change, despite the promises and the apologies.
He is telling you what he knows will work on reeling you back in.

Once the anger subsides and the adrenalin stops you come crashing down and start questioning if what he did was that bad.

I think seeing him as a good dad and husband this weekend is really tough on you and makes it harder to stay strong.

My ex husband had loads of emotional affairs over 17 years, i stayed because he threatened to kill himself but each time after a week of ignoring him or shouting at him i would calm down and what he did never seemed that bad.
I didnt think it affected me, i eventually hardened my heart and just kept ignoring what he was doing.
After 9 years i decided to leave when our daughter turned 18, I'd done 9 years with him and i knew i could do another 9.

In the end i couldnt, after years of not checking his phone or emails, one day i checked them and he had been chatting to a woman and asked her on a date.
I knew i had to get out this time and not brush it under the carpet so i told everyone what he had done and the marriage was over , pride stopped me changing my mind but it was hard, 2 weeks after i found the messages i started to lose my resolve and wondered if what he did was so bad.
I spoke to friends who reminded me that ultimately it was my decision but how many more years could i put up with him.

I then realised that he had no respect for me and clearly didnt love me otherwise he wouldnt do those things.
I also realised that even though i thought i got through unscathed actually i had really low self esteem and confidence, i thought there was something wrong with me and that is why he kept having emotional affairs.

Only you can decide what is right for you and your family but remember that years ago you caught him looking at escort websites, he said he used it like porn, in all likelihood he wasnt, he was probably booking in his next visit.
You had an argument and his first thought was to visit an escort,most men would drown their sorrow with alcohol or maybe drugs but he went to the effort of booking an escort.
Presumably he didnt use protection otherwise why did he want a test?

He then had unprotected sex with you, not even caring anout your health.

How can you trust him in the future if during an argument his first thought is to book an escort?

He had this planned otherwise how did he have cash to pay her?
He either has a secret account or he gets cashback and stashes the cash until he needs it.
This is just sneaky behaviour.

Yes you have a good lifestyle because of his job but do you want to stay with someone for material gain and not because you love and respect each other?

He might be a good dad but he can be a good dad even if you split.
Of course the children would ne upset but they would get over it and it would become the new normal soon enough.

I hope he has other redeeming qualities that you haven't mentioned because right now eberything points to him being a lying, untrustworthy twat.
Maybe you like menlike that.

Dont be like me and put up with this behaviour for years, it drags you down and affects you in ways you dont even realise until you are out of the situation.

I've been seperated 2.5yrs and divorced just under a year.
I love my life, no worrying what he is doing on his phone and pandering to him all the time.
Everything i do is for me and my kids who are now adults.
I would never let a man treat me like that ever again, i have self worth now.

WhyCouldThisBe · 03/10/2020 18:59

Oh wow! You are all just brilliant. Thank you for giving me some much needed kicks up the backside and some important perspective on what’s been a really crappy and confusing day.

@RenascenceWoman thank you for your comment also, it’s so nice to read this type of view because up until now I have always been the type to see a persons good qualities and try to look past their bad ones. After all I don’t think I am perfect either. It was refreshing to hear someone thinks people can change, thank you.

Having said all that, I’m pretty sure he can’t change! Is there some kind of AA for perverts??

OP posts:
Flittingaboutagain · 03/10/2020 19:09

People can change of course! But only people who take action to do so. He didn't.

The people who may never cheat again are the ones who have a one time only thing on a work do with a stranger (not colleague, where it builds up to that over time) then go straight home, confess, learn from it and spend their time trying to help their spouse heal. Someone who cheats like your husband (i.e premeditated) has got to a level of being able to compartmentalise and justify his behaviour that means he needs professional help and a hell of a lot more motivation than saving your marriage to do it.

WhyCouldThisBe · 03/10/2020 19:14

I think you’re right @Flittingaboutagain

OP posts:
SoulofanAggron · 03/10/2020 19:28

Having said all that, I’m pretty sure he can’t change! Is there some kind of AA for perverts??

@WhyCouldThisBe There's Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous , but don't tell your ex that. I think a lot of them would use going to therapy for their 'sex addiction' as a way of weedling their way back into our lives/getting us to stay with them. Then at some point they probably revert to their old ways, if they stop at all.

Graphista · 03/10/2020 19:37

Nobody is all bad, that's what makes it so hard to get away from the bad 'uns!

Nobody is all good either which makes it hard at times to believe we deserve better!

I had moments in the first day or so of splitting from ex when his tears and pleas almost got to me and I felt so shit when dd was asking for daddy.

The he emptied the bank accounts, turned up pissed expecting to drive dd to see his parents and then about 2 weeks after split told me ow was pregnant!

No more doubts then!

Totally natural and normal to have ups and downs and questions.

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