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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

Need advice over an ultimatum

6 replies

NeedanO24 · 16/02/2024 17:11

OH and I have been together for 5 years and have 2 small children plus my teen.
Sex is awful. It’s boring and unsatisfying. I have to think of unfulfilled fantasies to get off, that's if he hasn’t PE’d and stopped. When that happens he rolls off and goes to sleep, no concern that I haven’t orgasmed. Recently he’s been faking cramp once he’s finished to try and hide the fact he’s stopped from PE, completely oblivious to the fact I know when he’s come.
I resent his selfish attitude to sex, that he only does it when he’s in the mood and if I want sex he fakes a headache or goes to sleep early.
It’s always in missionary, he has no imagination or desire towards me for anything else. He’s never performed oral sex on me so I stopped giving it to him years back. I now rely on my vibrators and it’s a really humiliating distressing situation for me, crying and begging for sex isn’t something I envisioned for myself.
I started an argument about it 5 weeks ago as it was only happening once a month if that, it’s now once a fortnight. I have a high sex drive and for me thats still not enough. I asked him if we could try once every 2 days just to get in the swing of it and try new things. He said yes then avoided me all week once the kids were in bed.
The last time it lasted long enough for me to orgasm I felt embarrassed, that’s never happened to me before. It was like giving an intimate moment to a stranger on the street.
I’ve had enough and I’m now considering a FWB. I want to tell him that he needs to improve and it needs to be more regular and fun. But then I realised if it were a man saying it to a woman it would be considered abusive and controlling. I don’t want to coerce him into sex he doesn’t want, but I have needs and he doesn’t even try. He knows it’s important to me. I’ve considered he’s gone off me and doesn’t find me attractive anymore. He strongly denies it. There’s no passion it just makes me want to cry.
Am I within my rights to make these demands or ask him to leave if he isn’t willing to? I don’t want to split up over sex as our relationship is otherwise great. But I can’t spend the rest of my life having irregular shit sex, I’m 37 he’s 34.
I want to tell him that if he isn’t willing to have a healthy sexual relationship with me then he will have to accept me finding someone who is willing to or leave me if he isn’t comfortable with it. Again it would essentially be bullying him into sex he doesn’t want to keep me. I just want him to want me and for me to not have to ask for decent sex.
Can anyone advise please ?

OP posts:
friendswiththemonstera · 16/02/2024 17:16

Have you considered sex therapy? I don't think it's appropriate to give him ultimatums to force him to have sex with you. The problem is that he doesn't want to have sex with you and is selfish in bed. You can't fix those problems by coercing him into sex he doesn't want.

Mumtoboys82 · 16/02/2024 17:21

OP I can hear how sad this making you. I don't think an ultimatum is the way to go. I only want to be with a partner who wants me too, that's where the connection and intimacy come from. You are right, you can't force him to have sex he doesn't want. I don't think avoiding discussing it with you is fair on you though. You've clearly let him know it is an issue for you. Couples therapy would be a good start assuming the rest of your relationship is good.

SecondChancesAtLife · 16/02/2024 17:21

I would honestly divorce. Life is too short to have a shit sex life.

No sex only works if both partners aren’t bothered - having similar sex drives is very important IMO. Im also of the thinking that men and women shouldn’t really complain if their oh has an affair if they haven’t put out for years despite knowing it’s a problem for their spouse.

EmpressSoleil · 16/02/2024 17:22

While I do sympathise to a degree, having been in a similar situation in the past, you can't force him to have sex with you.

You say you don't want to split up over sex, yet you want him to accept you sleeping with other men! Again think about what the answers would be if a woman posted that her male partner had given her that ultimatum!

If you are both committed to the relationship, try couples therapy. If he won't agree to that then you know he isn't willing to make any efforts. Then you can decide what you want to do about that.

friendswiththemonstera · 16/02/2024 17:23

friendswiththemonstera · 16/02/2024 17:16

Have you considered sex therapy? I don't think it's appropriate to give him ultimatums to force him to have sex with you. The problem is that he doesn't want to have sex with you and is selfish in bed. You can't fix those problems by coercing him into sex he doesn't want.

Sorry, I can't edit this but it's a bit harsh so I'm rephrasing a bit. The problem is you have mismatched sex drives, and he doesn't put much effort in. I really think the problems will get worse if you give him an ultimatum. My ex husband did that (he said he would leave or cheat on me, etc) and our sex life never recovered from the terrible pressure I felt. I grew to dread physical contact. If the relationship is otherwise good I really would recommend therapy concentrating on sex and physical affection. If his sex drive has got worse over time I would also consider if there is an underlying cause -e.g. porn addiction or feeling under pressure to have sex.

EVHead · 16/02/2024 17:25

That sounds miserable. If he’s not willing to talk properly about it or get therapy, I think you have to end the relationship.

You get one life - don’t waste it being miserable with this man.

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