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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

Argument about his past relationship and now feel like I’ve ruined things

124 replies

Mia10791 · 16/03/2022 13:20

I am staying at my DP's house at the moment. We have been in a long distance relationship for 7 months and we are planning to relocate and move in together soon. We normally see each other at least once a fortnight, sometimes every weekend. It's a serious relationship and we are thinking of getting engaged soon. Everything was fine until last night.

We were in bed together and he asked me if I would do a sexual act (anal) that he really likes on his birthday which is coming up soon. I know he wants to do it as he constantly mentions it during sex. I am a bit reluctant to do this as I've never done it with any previous partners and I assumed he hadn't either. He has only been in one relationship before me and he told me that they were not a good match sexually. I said maybe we could do it and that he'd need to be careful and he replied that he knew how to do it slowly etc.

I asked if he'd done it before and was shocked when he said he had and that he'd done it with his ex. I know it's really stupid but it upset me a lot. I am insecure about his ex anyway as they were each other's firsts and were together for years. He and his family often brought her up early in the relationship (not in a bad way but more to say that he is more compatible with me because he and his ex often fought.) But all I could think about was him doing that with her and being really into it. It makes me feel sick to think that he did that with her and now he's being intimate with me. I understand how irrational it is because everyone has a past but the way he spoke about his ex made me think that this never happened with them.

I became emotional and told him how I felt. It didn't help that I was near my period and I'm feeling more sensitive than normal. I said to him that he and his ex have done everything together and I don't feel like I can compete. He said I was obsessing over nothing and that it's me he sees a future with. The word 'obsessing' annoyed me because I literally never bring her up. I always hide my true feelings but yesterday I just lost it. It's more like the other way around. He is often saying he's jealous of my exes.

Ever since this happened, he's been colder towards me. We are normally a very tactile couple so it's noticeable. I've apologised about what happened and tried to talk about it but he says not to make a big deal of it. But things are definitely strange now. When he came back from work, he said 'are you happy today or crazy like yesterday?' It's like he can't understand my feelings. He told me I change when I'm near my period and now I feel like he's not sure he wants to be with me if I behave like this. I wish I could rewind time and take it all back. Does anyone have any advice about how I can fix this situation?

OP posts:
Fatgalslim · 16/03/2022 13:32

It's a bit silly to get upset about what he's done sexually with an ex, especially as you asked him, if he'd said no would you have believed him? Regardless, never do anything sexually to please a man unless you really want to, reading between the lines it sounds like he's been putting pressure on you in the past to do this.

SilverCatStripes · 16/03/2022 13:40

He is showing you who he really is-

If you displease him then he will act coldly towards you in order to bring you to heel.

He is also using emotional manipulation to get you to agree to anal sex.

Cut your losses OP.

OrlandointheWilderness · 16/03/2022 13:42

Tbh it sounds like he is pestering you to do this. But that aside, getting upset over what partners have done sexually with ex's is not ideal of course as you know. The past is in the past and it is the future that matters. We all have a past.

Turningpurple · 16/03/2022 13:48

On the issue of anal. Do not do something you are not comfortable with.

But honestly, while the 'you still crazy?' Shows he isn't handling it this situation well. I would be super unimpressed if dp had a meltdown because I had sex, enjoyed it and did things that i found sexually enjoyable before I met him.

I wouldn't be going out of my way to understand his feels when he asked me a question and I answered honestly and he kicked off.

Your boyfriend has had sex before. Getting upset because he is honest and answers your questions, is quite manipulative. It leaves him either upsetting you or lying....which would upset you.

He doesn't need to apologise for having a sex life before you. You aren't competing with her. That's your own narrative.

That all said, I think asking for anal as a birthday present is a bit grim and, feels like he is trying to manipulate it so you can't say no. He doesn't sound great. And I think you may need to work on some insecurities. Or maybe he causes the insecurity.

But, it doesn't sound like a good relationship tbh. I would be thinking of exiting the relationship.

cherrysthename · 16/03/2022 13:51

It's so grim to push for a sex act you wouldn't normally be up for, as a 'present'.

As for the rest of it, you both need to grow up. Of course he has a past and so have you. His behaviour is more concerning. But together it's not a good mix.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 16/03/2022 13:52

7 months of long distance is still just dating. Why are you thinking about relocating and getting engaged at this stage?!
However it's totally unfair and unreasonable to make a fuss about your partner's sexual past.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 16/03/2022 13:53

Regardless of anything else, this:

I know he wants to do it as he constantly mentions it during sex.

A man mentioning a sex act he knows you don't want to do, constantly, during sex is not a man you should be in a relationship.

As for a man who wants you to perform a sex act he knows you're uncomfortable with, unlikely to enjoy doing for the first time as it's under pressure and likely to hurt as you're dubious about it and not genuinely wanting to do it... and sees that as a 'present' he wants?

Honestly mate. He isn't a nice bloke.

fromagreatheight · 16/03/2022 13:55

Because it's his birthday ?

🤮

Not the anal - if it floats people's boats, go for it –but as a birthday present? And then calling you crazy?

It'd be a sharp 'no' to any kind of sex after that –this is full of red flags.

ThePlantsitter · 16/03/2022 13:57

Did you say 'maybe' to anal sex because you really wanted to say 'no'?

I understand your insecurities about the ex because I felt similarly when I got together with my now H - while knowing I was being utterly ridiculous. I felt like that because I was not confident in my own qualities as a girlfriend.

It was that same lack of confidence that made me say yes to sexual things (before DH) because it was 'easier' than saying no. While that may be true in the short term it is 100% definitely NOT true in the long term and if I could go back and tell that to my younger self I would.

Try saying you don't want to have anal sex birthday or otherwise, and that is your line in the sand. His reaction to the jealousy of the ex is one thing, but his reaction to that will tell you all you need to know.

SisterRuth · 16/03/2022 14:00

Him being cold towards you, accusing you of obsessing & asking if you were "still crazy" & discussing natural mood changes so cruelly .... ugh, I hate him. Nothing to do with the anal stuff, that's not the point here. To me, he's just shown how he really feels about you & it's: cold, impatient, unkind, disparaging, mean-spirited and manipulative. Kick him to the kerb.

MarthaFokker · 16/03/2022 14:09

Don't have anal sex with him if you don't want to. The 'birthday present' part proves this man is willing to commit a sexual act with someone who isn't happy to do it and that's a massive red flag.

In regards to the rest of it, I think you're being immature. He has a sexual past and so do you. That's because you're both adults....

As for moving in together I really think you need to slow down. You've only been seeing each other twice a month....that's only 14 times in your whole relationship.

I hope there are no kids involved here.

Mermaidwaves · 16/03/2022 14:09

I would be questioning his pressuring you for anal, what happens if you agree and give it as a present Hmm is it a one off? If you don't enjoy it will he respect that and not ask again? It feels uncomfortable because he's pressuring you to do something you're not keen on but you feel you have to now you know he's done it with the ex and that's not a happy place to be.

You have a LDR, I wouldn't be getting engaged until you've lived much closer together, things may seem more rosy when you don't have to put up with the day to day drudgery of life.

Gretchencre · 16/03/2022 14:12

Anal sex for us mere mortals is nothing like the porn anal sex he will no doubt have seen. You can get piles if you're not completely relaxed. Is he going to care for you in that case? Piles can last a long time and it can get painful every time you go to the toilet. Some porn actresses have ended up with incontinence through it, and I don't mean urinary.

CornishGem1975 · 16/03/2022 14:13

Don't ever do anything because they want it, do it because you want to.

But yes, I think you've got a bit upset over nothing with regards to his ex - most people have a past. If you don't want to know anything about it, don't ask. I have no idea how many or who my DH has slept with but I don't need to. I'm the type to obsess over stuff so I'd rather not know and live in blissful ignorance!

SpicePumpkin · 16/03/2022 14:14

Dump him, he is not a nice man.

But also

I am insecure about his ex anyway as they were each other's firsts

You can't do this. Everybody has a past before you and it's not fair to start an argument about this kind of thing. Regardless of him being an asshole, no one should be made to feel ashamed of having a history.

Aquamarine1029 · 16/03/2022 14:14

Your relationship is an immature, toxic mess. Neither one of you sound capable of being in a healthy relationship at the moment. Jealousy, insecurities, pestering for sex acts - ick. You'd be crazy to move in with him and even crazier to marry him. This relationship will not go the distance.

Velvian · 16/03/2022 14:17

I hate this idea of sexual favours as 'birthday presents' it is very rapey. It is vile. I'm never doing anal, don't care if DH would like to (he says not), not doing it.

That is a separate issue to the jealousy. It sounds like you need to find a way to value yourself that is not at all bound up in how good a partner you are to your DP. Think about your ambitions for yourself.

Mia10791 · 16/03/2022 14:18

I regret the way I behaved about his past relationship. I let my insecurities get the better of me and I wish I could take it back. I did apologise but I know it doesn’t erase the memory of it.

Although it is a LDR, we have spent longer periods of time together over Christmas and holidays etc. It’s him who is pushing for the engagement. I’ve told him we need to take more time.

As for the sexual request, it’s never something I’ve wanted to do before but I know it’s something he really likes so it’s difficult. I’ve never tried it so I can’t say whether I’d like it but I try to avoid talking about it because I don’t like him mentioning it. It makes me feel like normal sex isn’t enough for him when he’s always wishing he could do that instead. Maybe it is a red flag and I need to be assertive about how I feel.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 16/03/2022 14:19

I hate this idea of sexual favours as 'birthday presents' it is very rapey. It is vile. I'm never doing anal, don't care if DH would like to (he says not), not doing it.

I agree. It's coercion, plwin and simple.

Aquamarine1029 · 16/03/2022 14:19

*plain

drpet49 · 16/03/2022 14:23

* Everybody has a past before you and it's not fair to start an argument about this kind of thing. Regardless of him being an asshole, no one should be made to feel ashamed of having a history.*

^This. The anal matter aside, OP sounds controlling and jealous. He has only 1 past relationship and the way she talks about it is obsessive and controlling. Red flags here

Mia10791 · 16/03/2022 14:27

@drpet49 from what he has told me about his ex, it was her who was jealous and controlling. She would go through his phone, ban him from speaking to female friends, accuse him of looking at other women and lied about her job status. I know I have insecurity issues but I am working on them and have admitted my faults. I am a caring partner and this is the first time anything like this has happened.

OP posts:
ThePlantsitter · 16/03/2022 14:33

He likes it and you don't know if you like it. That makes it an inappropriate thing to agree to on a particular date for someone's birthday. What if you don't feel like trying it that day? Would you say so? I'm guessing you wouldn't due to not wanting to talk about it openly.

Everybody brings insecurities and foibles to a relationship. How you deal with those things is what makes a good or bad relationship. I'd be more damning of your 'insecurity' if it hadn't come straight after a conversation of you only being a good girlfriend if you let him put his knob up your arse on his birthday tbh.

MarthaFokker · 16/03/2022 14:44

It’s him who is pushing for the engagement. I’ve told him we need to take more time.

And yet you'll be moving in with him soon?

He's a very pushy guy by the sound of it.

Beamur · 16/03/2022 14:52

Lots of red flags here OP.
You're very insecure.
He's manipulative.
Anyone who bad mouths their ex is often concealing their own part in a toxic relationship. Why was his ex so controlling and jealous? Maybe his behaviour was part of the problem..
Tread very carefully. From what you have said, this doesn't sound like a healthy relationship.

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