Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Is this a “normal” sex life?

99 replies

Purplenurple81 · 22/01/2023 05:55

NC for this but it is a genuine post.

I’m feeling a bit hard done by and I want to know if I should be. I have a much higher sex drive than my OH, pretty much always have had.

For him, it’s generally too much effort (as are most things - another problem for another day).

But I manage to get by, mostly by myself.

This is how things are and I would like advice as to whether it sounds about right or if I am expecting too much. I don’t think I am.

Firstly, if I want any form of attention, I have to ask for it. As in literally “Can we have sex please?”
If I ask in advance, I get told yes, but then he makes an excuse or falls asleep.
He never, ever asks me for it. He stays up watching telly till 1/2am then comes up. So if I am willing to stay awake till then (when I have to be up for work at 6.30) then I can get some.

He is very happy to wank me off (and very good at it) but only if he is laying down and I have to get in the right position, he doesn’t move to me.

He is very overweight so finds PIV difficult but there are some positions it works in. But they are “too energetic at my age” (he’s 42!) so we don’t tend to do it.

He refuses to use condoms because they “spoil the sensation” so I am on the pill, but considering we never have actual sex, I generally don’t bother to take it because it’s just something else to remember for no real reason. On the rare occasions PIV is on the cards, he always stops and asks if I’ve taken it, which kills the mood, and if I have missed one in the last week, he won’t penetrate, he just stops and asks for a wank instead.

He will only give me oral if I am completely shaved, which I don’t particularly like doing because it is uncomfortable when it grows back. And 9/10 I go to the effort and he just doesn’t want to do it anyway.
(I can’t use creams etc because of an allergic reaction once).

But he asks me for it a lot, and I do it, partly because it’s the only thing he shows interest in and I hope it might lead to more.

But, and this is the bit that pisses me off most - he is constantly trying to feel my breasts, and asks me to go out in public with no bra on, or no knickers so that he can cop a feel whenever he likes. He has this thing about me having hard nipples and other people noticing. We will be sitting watching telly and he will say “Show us your tits”.
I HATE all of that and refuse to do it.

We both have busy lives, kids at home etc but I try to find time for us. We go literally months without sex. We probably have some form of intimacy 5/6 times a YEAR and PIV maybe once if I’m lucky.

He promises me the Earth but when it comes down to it, a quick fumble and he’s done.
Last night, both the kids were on a sleepover. So I told him I thought we should make the most of it.

I am quite kinky (I’m into BDSM among other things) and asked him to take control. He slapped my breasts a bit (at my request) then asked for a blow job. I gave him that, he came and then said “There, did you enjoy that?”
I said “What? We haven’t finished yet?”
He said “I have! And you got your slapping, what more do you want?”

Then we basically had a massive row about how I’m too demanding and how he can’t be bothered and I stormed off to the spare room where I’ve been since 8.30 last night. So much for my night of passion.

He refuses to see a counsellor, he says that there’s nothing wrong with having a low sex drive, and he’s always happy to wank me off if I ask, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for more.

None of us are getting any younger and I’m seriously considering going and getting some elsewhere but I wouldn’t know where to start.

Any suggestions on what to do, please? Is this pretty much what I should expect with such differing tastes?

OP posts:
SwordToFlamethrower · 22/01/2023 08:44

Ltb

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 22/01/2023 08:45

I don't think you would have written all that if you thought it was normal.

I'm pretty sure this low frequency classifies you as being in a sexless relationship.

You're clearly unhappy with the situation. He's perfectly happy so this could go on indefinitely unless you make drastic changes now.

Joey69 · 22/01/2023 08:46

Alcemeg · 22/01/2023 08:31

The things you each find a turn-on are a turn-off for the other. I'd hate to slap someone if that wasn't my thing.

Add in the contraception fears, and I don't know how you ever do it at all.

His overweight sounds like an issue.

I'm not sure where you'd begin unpicking this one, OP, but it sounds a bit miserable for you both.

Totally agree with this, I would hate to be slapping my partner during sex even if they were requesting it.
you sound quite sexually mismatched as a couple, I’m sure both of you are unhappy

LaLuz7 · 22/01/2023 08:48

He's horrible. That's no way to live life... not normal or healthy by any means.

But for God's sake, stop gambling with pregancy and take your pill consistently! Do you really need a baby to tie you down to this loser?

Slimjimtobe · 22/01/2023 08:50

I couldn’t bear this at all sorry. Not normal - he’s quiet vulgar

Slimjimtobe · 22/01/2023 08:50

Quite

Zanatdy · 22/01/2023 08:52

Joey69 · 22/01/2023 08:46

Totally agree with this, I would hate to be slapping my partner during sex even if they were requesting it.
you sound quite sexually mismatched as a couple, I’m sure both of you are unhappy

being slapped on its own and then nothing is not really what OP wants I’d imagine. Nothing wrong with a bit of BDSM, with the right person. This person is not it. Find someone else OP and enjoy sex - proper sex with them

eatdrinkandbemerry · 22/01/2023 08:52

That's far from what I would call normal but you do both sound a bit lazy 🤷‍♀️
Too much effort to take your pill 🤔 it literally takes seconds.
Maybe he's worried about unplanned babies.
I've got a much higher sex drive than partner but he still likes to please and will prioritise sex over staying up late because he does like to try to keep me sweet 🤣.

Nightskyatnight · 22/01/2023 08:55

Sorry OP but that sounds pretty horrible to me and like you deserve much (much!) Better

DeliberatelyObtuse · 22/01/2023 08:56

He sounds repulsive, literally

Quick slap round the tits for you and a blow job for him is no one's idea of a good sex life

And "show us your tits" is quite literally the worst foreplay ever

TicketBoo23 · 22/01/2023 08:57

Selfish, selfish, selfish.

uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 22/01/2023 09:04

eatdrinkandbemerry · 22/01/2023 08:52

That's far from what I would call normal but you do both sound a bit lazy 🤷‍♀️
Too much effort to take your pill 🤔 it literally takes seconds.
Maybe he's worried about unplanned babies.
I've got a much higher sex drive than partner but he still likes to please and will prioritise sex over staying up late because he does like to try to keep me sweet 🤣.

I don't think she means the physical effort of taking a pill every day though. If the only reason is to prevent a pregnancy (which it sound like it) for 1 random day out of 365 then is it really worth the remembering, ordering, GP checks, picking up from pharmacy, potential negative side effects etc of taking a pill?

LaLuz7 · 22/01/2023 09:06

uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 22/01/2023 09:04

I don't think she means the physical effort of taking a pill every day though. If the only reason is to prevent a pregnancy (which it sound like it) for 1 random day out of 365 then is it really worth the remembering, ordering, GP checks, picking up from pharmacy, potential negative side effects etc of taking a pill?

Sure, its her prerogative to stop taking it. But it sounds like she still expects him to have sex with her and isn't proactive in telling him whether she's been taking the pill or not, unless he explicitly asks. Not ok.

JosephJoseph · 22/01/2023 09:07

Might he consider an open relationship? Would either of you be interested in a cuckold scenario where a dominant bull takes you in front of him? I'm not into this just suggesting it since you mentioned you like BDSM (which humiliation and compliance can be part of) and that he likes you to go out with underwear (voyeurism fetish? pimping you out?).
I personally find him repulsive from the description alone. How big is he that he can only have sex in a few positions?
Men don't tend to be so acrobatic in bed, it's usually the woman who is manipulated in all sorts of poses. Men usually lay down, stand or kneel. How big is he that he can't do this? I can't imagine you're meaning he needs to do the barrow wheel or cork screw position.

Watchkeys · 22/01/2023 09:09

Might he consider an open relationship

Why would anybody want an open relationship with someone who blatantly disrespected them and didn't care a jot about their wants or needs?

Charlize43 · 22/01/2023 09:11

The whole thing sounds awful!

donttalkaboutbookclub · 22/01/2023 09:17

Selfish, lazy and as pp said vulgar. Get rid - he won't get better.

purpledalmation · 22/01/2023 09:18

Not normal at all. Very dysfunctional

user8545 · 22/01/2023 09:19

If he is so big that you can't have sex normally that has got to be a contributory factor. Has he always been big? Has it always been like this?

He sounds like a dick though.

Purplenurple81 · 22/01/2023 09:21

uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 22/01/2023 09:04

I don't think she means the physical effort of taking a pill every day though. If the only reason is to prevent a pregnancy (which it sound like it) for 1 random day out of 365 then is it really worth the remembering, ordering, GP checks, picking up from pharmacy, potential negative side effects etc of taking a pill?

EXACTLY that, UHTred. The pill is a fucking faff, by the time you can get an appointment that fits around work and so on.
Every form of contraception has been my responsibility, and I have not got on with the more permanent ones.
He would rather abstain than use a condom.

Actually, writing that down, I appreciate how selfish it sounds…

OP posts:
Purplenurple81 · 22/01/2023 09:22

user8545 · 22/01/2023 09:19

If he is so big that you can't have sex normally that has got to be a contributory factor. Has he always been big? Has it always been like this?

He sounds like a dick though.

No, not always. We used to do it all the time, but life kind of got in the way and now here we are.

OP posts:
user8545 · 22/01/2023 09:25

It sounds like there is a lot of work he needs to do in himself OP, but from what you say, I'm not sure he will be willing to do it.

AnneLovesGilbert · 22/01/2023 09:27

Has the disgusting show us your tits stuff always been there or is it new? Is there any chance he thinks you like it?

It all sounds incredibly dysfunctional and when you’re at the point of looking for someone else to have sex with there’s no way back.

This aside, and it’s a really huge issue, do you like, love, want to stay with him? If not are you considering splitting up?

GrasstrackGirl · 22/01/2023 09:32

That is fucking miserable, he is a twat and you sound fed up.

How was he before kids etc? I'm asking as you don't seem sexually compatible any more.

iamjustwinginglife · 22/01/2023 09:36

That sounds bloody awful!

I really would stick with sorting yourself out-why put yourself through it? Even when he agrees to sex, you're getting nothing out of it. Just leave him to vegetate on his side of the bed. Please don't put up with this just because you think you've got no other option, I'd rather go without.