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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

How to restart (sex) life?

9 replies

twohomesneeded · 30/07/2023 16:49

Together 20 years (early 50s). Sex life currently non existent. There have been issues mainly that I find it painful (also recurrent UTIs) and am menopausal. It's hard to fancy it when most times I have had to say stop because of the pain! I'm on HRT and low dose antibiotics for the UTIs as suspect vaginal atrophy.

There have been issues in our sex life and relationship in the past. I had to come off the pill in my 40s due to causing migraine - DH refused to have the snip "in case I met someone else and wanted kids with them". I can't use condoms as they too are very uncomfortable, so we had to stop PIV sex. I was giving him a handjob every so often but I began to feel that it was one sided as I could no longer enjoy sex at all.

Communication between us is quite lacking. One of our DC is autistic and I suspect DH is too as he doesn't 'do' conversation or small talk. We don't socialise (maybe twice a year at most). Our evenings are mostly spent in separate rooms doing our own thing.

DH still asks about sex but I want to talk about feelings, menopause etc so he understands where I'm coming from regarding pain during sex. DH doesn't want to talk. We don't flirt, banter or anything similar to get a bit of life in our relationship.

There is financial inequality between us - he earns 6 figures and is the breadwinner (he works v hard) and I'm not (I work full time but on a low wage). He is generous with his money and sees it as 'family money' but has also mentioned moving back to his home town 200 odd miles away to be closer to his parents. But I want to stay in my hometown to stay closer to my parents, both in ill health, and I want to be with our kids (older teens). He told me this after he'd brought me home from an op at the hospital. I don't know what that means for our future.

Is there any hope for us?

OP posts:
Greensleevevssnotnose · 30/07/2023 18:47

It's.been.three years here, watching with interest

Bodybop · 30/07/2023 18:52

Is this the 'opposite' post of another one where a bloke in his 50s says he wants sex but wife does not.

lazy collecting of responses for an article? Genuine post? Sorry it is a genuine post but suspicious it's popped up same time

Wherearemymarbles · 30/07/2023 18:57

Well on the moving bit neither of you are wrong or have the right to dictate to the other
so move half way…

on everything else, whats the saying, familiarity breeds contempt? Maybe your relationship has run its course and you are together because its easier and what you are used to

Maybe couples counselling would help?

Thegrumpycup · 30/07/2023 18:58

Bodybop · 30/07/2023 18:52

Is this the 'opposite' post of another one where a bloke in his 50s says he wants sex but wife does not.

lazy collecting of responses for an article? Genuine post? Sorry it is a genuine post but suspicious it's popped up same time

I also thought the same.

I did the whole separate lives in separate rooms shit. We're separating now. I was so lonely in our relationship, I decided I was better off alone.

twohomesneeded · 30/07/2023 19:43

Bodybop · 30/07/2023 18:52

Is this the 'opposite' post of another one where a bloke in his 50s says he wants sex but wife does not.

lazy collecting of responses for an article? Genuine post? Sorry it is a genuine post but suspicious it's popped up same time

Genuine. I post a bit on Mumsnet under multiple different names though so I can't be traced in RL. I would absolutely hate HATE for any of my posts to be picked up by ANY media or for it to link me back to RL in any way.

OP posts:
twohomesneeded · 30/07/2023 19:47

Greensleevevssnotnose · 30/07/2023 18:47

It's.been.three years here, watching with interest

Yes, I suspect I'm not alone. Sorry you're in this place too.

I love my DH, but... well I don't know. Is this it? Is this what it's like in other relationships? I feel we're just pootling along and some days, when I need to be emotionally available for my elderly parents, my ASD child and my job, I'm glad we're just pootling. Other times I feel there's not much positive to go on.

Just, existing.

OP posts:
twohomesneeded · 30/07/2023 19:53

Wherearemymarbles · 30/07/2023 18:57

Well on the moving bit neither of you are wrong or have the right to dictate to the other
so move half way…

on everything else, whats the saying, familiarity breeds contempt? Maybe your relationship has run its course and you are together because its easier and what you are used to

Maybe couples counselling would help?

Moving half way would just double the issues. Instead of just DH finding things tough, we'd then both find things tough. I'd have to constantly commute every weekend to visit my parents to check on them, DC would be needing a new school, and I'd need to find another job. I'd be totally isolated from the friends I do have.

DH doesn't have any friends in his hometown - he didn't keep in contact. It's just his parents and a sibling.

Not sure I'm prepared to uproot our family for not much gain.

OP posts:
Milyt · 30/07/2023 19:56

I’m sure lots of people are like this in reality but few will admit it.

Milyt · 30/07/2023 19:56

Don’t uproot the family but let him go if he wants to.

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