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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

DH has told me that our entire marriage has been crap

227 replies

Trueblues · 19/02/2022 19:29

As in sex.
We’ve been married for more than a decade. We have two kids. Last night I was minding my own business watching a movie. He comes and decides to watch with me. There’s a scene where the characters get hot and steamy. He pipes up that we “used to be like that before we got married”. I was a bit shocked to be honest because although sex has dwindled the last few years due to lack of empathy, communication, leading to lack of connection which puts me off, it hasn’t always been like that. So I said “we’ve had hot sex since we’ve been married” he says “when”? in a nasty tone. We had a daytime quickie initiated by me about a week ago. He came, I didn’t but I thought we’d had a good time while we were doing it. I said “last week was pretty hot I thought” “not really” he says. Then he says “we just need to do it more” I dropped it at that point because there’s a history of this kind of conversation escalating and I’ve learnt to not argue my point if he’s upset me. It gets me nowhere but I’m really hurt and deflated. I feel like giving up to be honest. The issue with the “we need to do it more” is that I now don’t. He always gets his jollies but never finishes me off. I’m always left high and dry and after this conversation I’m left wondering what’s the point. What I want to be able to do is actually have a conversation with him about it but I can’t because he’s going to shut me down and we will get nowhere. Im wondering what other people would do in my position?

OP posts:
Cocomelonearworm · 19/02/2022 22:39

@Paganfreya1988

Perhaps you are both a bit in a rut, I am not taking sides, but if both parties are willing, save a special time for you both, no rushing about, no kids. Perhaps start off either on a date night, or make a special meal. Run a nice bath with candles, bubbles, if no bath, do the same with a shower, however both of you in the bath or shower, sexy right. Wear some sexy lingerie, get some handcuffs, a bit of role play, let me massage you with essential oils. Don’t make it all about him, both do some touching etc, so that way, he has to wait, but gives you time to be ready for your orgasm . Both parties have to work at it, and for your husband not to take you for granted. Good luck
Ugh. She shouldn't have to resort to sexy massages and role play to get her "D"H to help resolve this. He has shown he is a nasty piece of work who doesn't care about her enjoyment of sex. Only a change of attitude from him is going to help. I can't think of anything worse than tarting myself up and trying to turn on someone who doesn't even care if I orgasm.
GabriellaMontez · 19/02/2022 22:49

Try " I've been thinking about our sex life and I'd like to chat about it". If he is genuinely open to this discussion that's a good start. If he's not ie he just wants to make nasty comments then fuck him off. Tell him he's not very good and you're not doing it anymore.

UniversalAunt · 19/02/2022 22:50

‘ He’s criticising the sex to pick a fight (it sounds fine for him, albeit shit for you) and I’d be wondering why he wants to pick the fight-is he cheating and wants something to be a ‘reason’ for problems in the marriage..?’

This is a good point.

He puts you down & you find it easier not to challenge him as you know that you don’t get anywhere, & in this instance he has referred to sex.

Do you notice a pattern of when he starts the persistent criticism?
Is he deflecting you away from noticing or taking action about something that is not in his favour? Can you pull back the curtain on how he’s acting up?

If he’s just a selfish or lousy lay, then there are loads of suggestions above about opening up the conversation.

Loads of men are not that good at the horizontal foxtrot, but their partners still feel loved & appreciated.

So to me, he sounds like a mean bastard who bullies you, will use anything to poke at you & is quite happy to know that he has hurt your feelings. A very small man.

Ugzbugz · 19/02/2022 22:54

Another selfish man who has no idea about women zzzzzz

Shoxfordian · 19/02/2022 22:55

Stop having sex with him if it’s not good enough for him even though he gets an orgasm and you don’t

Do you even want to stay married after that?

SmellyOldOwls · 19/02/2022 23:01

@Trueblues

I’m wondering what people would do now in my position? How would you approach a conversation about this?
'I want a divorce because you're a crap shag and selfish in other ways too'
Mischance · 19/02/2022 23:01

You are wondering what the point is - there is no point. No point in having sex with this inconsiderate man, and no point in wasting your life on him.

Time to go.

k1233 · 19/02/2022 23:03

Bring it up. From your first message lack of empathy, communication, leading to lack of connection which puts me off add in his selfishness in bed and really, what incentive is there for more sex?

I'd find a quiet time where you won't be interrupted and say that his comments about sex upset you. The dynamics in the relationship have changed from premarriage days and in order for you to be more interested in sex you need to feel connected, appreciated, valued. Small gestures of affection during the day are important. Touch that isn't purely to initiate sex is important. Caring about your pleasure during sex is important. He doesn't do those things, so sex for you ranks lower than the vacuuming. I've actually said that before and I despise vacuuming! (Which he knew)

Think about what has changed since courting days. It's usually because all of the non sexual intimacy is no longer there. The only attention / affection you get is tied to sex.

Crinkle77 · 19/02/2022 23:04

OP shouldn't you be the one complaining about crap sex if he never gives you an orgasm. And if it's that shit why does he want it more?

Graphista · 19/02/2022 23:05

Why are you putting up with his sexual selfishness?!

I wouldn't

How would you approach a conversation about this?

I'd be telling him exactly why it doesn't happen v often inc the fact he's crap at it!

But tbh I'd be out!

The selfishness mainly

@mugglenutmeg no it's not toxic it's right. He is clearly selfish and inconsiderate in all aspects of the relationship men like that don't change they usually get worse if anything so why should op waste her time and love on him?

Low bar indeed!

Women don't HAVE to be in relationships much less crap ones!

DillDanding · 19/02/2022 23:09

He sounds rubbish in bed. My husband cares far more about my orgasms than his own.

Btw - I have a friend whose husband announced to her that 'there were no fireworks between them'. Turns out he was having an affair.

blueshoes · 19/02/2022 23:17

OP, I am struck by how cruel he was to you. To say this is to strike at the heart of a marriage. There was no provocation yet he said something that made you feel 2 inches tall. I would too. And then to shut you down so that you have to stew in your misery. Why is he punishing you?

Who would do that to someone they are supposed to love and cherish?

Is such deliberate cruelty and belittling out of the blue or is that something you have come to expect from him?

If it is out of the blue, could there be something going on in the background to fuel this sudden resentment?

What are his good qualities?

L0stinCyberspace · 19/02/2022 23:20

Porn - that'll be at the root of his attitude, I suspect.

DryOldCaper · 19/02/2022 23:25

You have got to actually be kidding me.

He comes every time - you really, if ever, do - and he’s the one complaining……?

FML - is there a special shop where you find such sub-specimens of men, or something?

Lampzade · 19/02/2022 23:26

The ‘problem’ is that he is a crap lover, which is why you don’t have hot sex.

Onthedunes · 19/02/2022 23:30

Why are you wanting to communicate with him, he's a complete selfish idiot, not worthy of your time or worry.

Get rid of him and bury him so no other unfortunate woman has to come across him.

Please !

RantyAunty · 19/02/2022 23:41

Lots of good advice given.

Bring it up like he did, blunt and to the point that he is a crap shag and if he made more effort, you'd be more enthused.

After him putting down your efforts from last week, I wouldn't be wanting to be anywhere near him.
Going forward, if you do still want sex, I'd make sure you get yours first before allowing him to.

Allaboutyou222 · 19/02/2022 23:46

I think if you still want the relationship to carry on then you need to talk about it. Just say ‘can we talk about this then?’ Go from there.

You could complain back as suggested in the thread but I don’t feel that will help anyone.

WinterSunglasses · 20/02/2022 00:02

If you find he shuts down any attempt at discussing things, then don't take that approach. Just say your piece, in one go. Plenty of suggestions here. But e.g. 'you know you said we need to have sex more, well, given that you don't make me come anymore, why would I want to?' Then you've at least made that point. If he then gets nasty again you can say 'until you've answered my question I don't think there's more to say'.

SnowFlo · 20/02/2022 00:11

I don't and have never come during sex and I've slept with over 25 different men, a various number of times. I just can't. The only way I can get off is on my own with a vibrator.

But, the difference is, I don't care. I'm perfectly happy not coming during sex and don't feel like I've been "left high and dry".

Maybe it's because I'm aware that for me, it's my own issue. My partner does partake in foreplay and give me oral sex etc etc but nothing works. It feels good but I won't climax.

If your partner isn't at least trying, and it is very much down to him not bothering to try to satisfy you, then he's a dick, and I would be telling him that the reason I don't want to have more sex with him is because I never orgasm. I wouldn't try to hurt DP by saying that because he does try - it's me.

I would feel very hurt by his words. YANBU.

UserBotLurking9to5 · 20/02/2022 00:13

@Trueblues

Yes he stops when he’s come
Wow, he has some nerve telling you that things are shit. You must have been ''Yes I know''
GatoradeMeBitch · 20/02/2022 00:19

I'm guessing he's not the kind of man to go to couples counselling?

I think couples counselling is often a terrible idea. Too many of them operate from a point of zero-blame which is a godsend for manipulative or abusive men. And plenty of them will allow their own politics to affect their advice.

In this case she will have scored the counselling lottery if she finds one who takes her complaints seriously and manages to get through to her husband. She's more likely to get a "men are from mars and they need to sleep immediately after they cum" basic model.

NumberTheory · 20/02/2022 00:20

@lottiegarbanzo

...although sex has dwindled the last few years due to lack of empathy, communication, leading to lack of connection which puts me off, it hasn’t always been like that. So I said “we’ve had hot sex since we’ve been married” he says “when”? in a nasty tone.

Your mistake was not saying the first part out loud but instead saying something defensive, as if you're responsible for providing hot sex on tap and willing to accept insults about its absence, which he could easily knock down.

Why didn't you (and why don't you) say 'yes, I used to enjoy sex with you but for the last few years it's dwindled due to lack of empathy and communication, leading to lack of connection, which puts me off.'

Leave the ball in his court.

^^This..

I’m wondering, OP, why you told him you thought the last time you had sex was “hot”, when you were unsatisfied with it? What’s going on there? Was it just defensive? A need to feel that you can make him feel good because that’s what “good” women do for their men? Do you feel like it’s somehow wrong for a woman to put her sexual satisfaction higher or on an equal footing with a man’s? - This is a pretty common value system in our culture so it wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve internalised this so much that you felt it was more important to stand up for the idea that you were “a good lay” than to confront him about the fact he doesn’t even try with you.

If you want to open up this conversation you can just be honest find a time when no one’s in a bad mood and you won’t be interrupted. Then say “ You mentioned the other day that our sex life has been shit since we got married, and I’d like to talk about it because, honestly, I agree and I’d like it to change.” Then you talk and listen.

If you aren’t sure you can do this, you might find it useful to get some individual counseling first. And it might be useful to prime a friend to be a fall back place to go after the talk if it goes poorly. But basically, if you want to address it, you have to bight the bullet and be prepared to be honest with him.

Graphista · 20/02/2022 00:23

FML - is there a special shop where you find such sub-specimens of men, or something?

I am beginning to wonder Grin

Why are younger generations of women accepting such crap relationships more? I don't understand that.

Seems to be my mums generation (baby boomers) STARTED to be less accepting of crap treatment with that wave of feminism. Mine (gen x) this gradually increased but now the generations below mine seem to be erring towards accepting bad treatment again.

Why is that? Genuinely interested to understand why.

me4real · 20/02/2022 00:26

It’s really made me feel shit and deflated to be honest. I’m actually really giving in bed. I always give a blow job and get really amorous. Sex is one thing I’ve always thought I’m good at. Now I’m feeling about two inches tall to be honest

What he said was a manipulative tactic in part @Trueblues . It's designed to make you try harder at sex and do it more etc.

I think there are two issues:-

  1. He's crap at sex in that he hardly ever makes you come, when he could if he tried.

  2. He pressures/nags for sex.

The two things mean you wouldn't necessarily want to ask for 1 if it means you face more pressure (2.)

He just doesn't sound like a nice person, talking to and treating you this way, not caring that what he said hurt, not trying to pleasure you much etc.