Sexless marriage, can they work?

[Cluelessat31]

Can a marriage where there is no intimacy work? One half doesn't want it or anything to do with the other, and the other is desperate for intimacy and is incredibly lonely. Marriage counselling has been done, but hasn't resolved anything.

No because one party will never be content

If both people are happy then yes.
In your case I can’t see it working, you both want/need different things.

The person who doesn’t want sex may have a medical condition affecting libido, but it would rely on them chasing it up and wanting to change - I’m not sure this sounds likely for your situation.

Whichever one you are, if your username shows your age you should leave, you are young, have your whole life ahead of you.

Actually that stands whatever age you are.

IME no. It's not fair on the lonely party, and in spite of love for the spouse, they are more likely to seek 'love' outside of the marriage.

If both parties are happy with it then yes, of course it can work. If not, then no - never settle for something you don’t want.

It can't lead to happiness.
You could stay chained to eachother, sure. But what kind of life is that. You'll feel better once a decision has been made and you go.

As others have said if both happy that way I'm sure it would be fine but if only one want it no way. Some couples are just not compatible. IMO sex is a deal breaker! I couldn't be with someone who didn't enjoy sex

Not if one partner isn't happy with it.
They'd eventually end up having an affair I imagine.

I don’t believe so if one wants and the other does. Life is too short to be with someone you love most but doesn’t want to be intimate nor be affectionate with you. staying impacts feelings of self worth and well-being and leads to loneliness. It’s torture. Well that’s how I felt anyway.

Sadly not, if it's not what both parties want. Even if everything else is perfect- which it rarely is- but even if it is, the resentment, sadness, loneliness and desperation take over eventually. Much better to call it a day before anything regrettable happens.

I’d say definitely not. It must feel incredibly frustrating to feel unwanted sexually by your partner. Long term that’s just going to lead to resentment and perhaps lead to looking elsewhere

I was in one for 6 years. It was very sad and lonely to feel so unloved. I felt unattractive and I was so jealous of those couples walking down the street who were clearly so into each other. I even flirted with the idea of an affair but pulled back at the last minute because I was scared of people finding out and judging me. I’m now out of that and in a relationship with a man who finds me gorgeous and we have a great time together in and out of bed. I feel so much better - happier, I sleep better, I feel loved and adored, and we just feel so close. If you have mismatched libido you split and find people with whom you can be happy.

No. As you say, one of you is already lonely and miserable. It’s over.

sure. just don't get divorced. that's the secret to a long marriage.