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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

Sex/touchless relationship help!

26 replies

tendollarbanana · 12/08/2024 14:15

Excuse the slightly dramatic title!

Tl/Dr; Hetero couple in our 30s, no known physical or mental health issues. Been together 5 years, sex was always a little sparse even in the beginning now it's 2-3 times a year and we have no other physical touch or intimacy. 1 only just toddler but the problem existed before baby's arrival. Conversations haven't helped. What do I do??

In the early days I asked him about it and what he likes etc and essentially he said he's happy with missionary at bedtime once a week. I thought nah he must just be shy...

Queue 3 years of me prancing around in nice underwear, trying and failing to seduce him, multiple respectful, gentle conversations and one or two slightly more stressed ones and sex just got less and less frequent until we've done it maybe twice this year. I've done all the initiating, planned romantic weekends away, suggested more exercise/healthy eating/less alcohol etc etc nothing helps.

When I've brought it up he's alternately tired or absolutely hears me and will 'do better' but never does. We don't even touch in any other way, romantic or not, no hand holding or casual touches on the shoulder. I realised yesterday that he has NEVER voluntarily hugged me, literally not once.

In every other way the 'relationship' is fine, we get on, don't argue, always kind and thoughtful with each other. There's just no romantic physical or emotional connection and I'm worried there never was. I just feel sad and lonely all the time. I don't think therapy is an option, he won't even talk to me!

OP posts:
cupcaske123 · 12/08/2024 14:32

You had rose tinted spectacles on thinking he'd change at the beginning of the relationship. I think it's about time you accepted that he isn't going to change.

You can accept an intimateless relationship where you live like housemates or you can finish the relationship and move on.

MiddleAgedDread · 12/08/2024 14:35

He's a flatmate not a boyfriend / partner, I've had more hugs with my female friends in the last week than you've had intimate moments with him this year!!

gestroopd · 12/08/2024 14:35

You can accept an intimateless relationship where you live like housemates or you can finish the relationship and move on.

This. But be aware that one of these might seem really hard, but the other will lead to what feels like your own slow death and if you get through that, a level of resentment you cannot begin to imagine now.

BobbyBiscuits · 12/08/2024 14:35

Some people do have a really low sex drive. And no interest in expanding it.
It's almost like some people aren't bothered about food. They just eat to survive. While others relish in new tastes, sensations and immerse themselves in the pleasurable side.
It could be he's got depression or something like sort of childhood trauma. But I'd say you can't really force him to want to explore/improve it. You're just not sexually compatible sadly.

Bobbotgegrinch · 12/08/2024 14:55

"In the early days I asked him about it and what he likes etc and essentially he said he's happy with missionary at bedtime once a week. I thought nah he must just be shy..."

Well there's where you went wrong. He told you, very early on that he's got a very low sex drive and you chose to ignore him.

What makes you think anythings going to change now? If you can't live like this, then you need to leave him. Which is what you should have done when you first learned you were incompatible.

tendollarbanana · 12/08/2024 15:24

In regards to this being my fault for not realising how he was at the start of the relationship people do change and grow in relationships, he'd never really had a girlfriend before me, I don't think it was unrealistic to expect we'd grow closer over time rather than further apart!

I'm not surprised the responses are leave him, it is the most straightforward approach, was just hoping for insight from someone who's been in a similar situation.

OP posts:
tendollarbanana · 12/08/2024 15:26

Bobbotgegrinch · 12/08/2024 14:55

"In the early days I asked him about it and what he likes etc and essentially he said he's happy with missionary at bedtime once a week. I thought nah he must just be shy..."

Well there's where you went wrong. He told you, very early on that he's got a very low sex drive and you chose to ignore him.

What makes you think anythings going to change now? If you can't live like this, then you need to leave him. Which is what you should have done when you first learned you were incompatible.

But once a week as he said is totally fine. I wouldn't have gotten in a relationship with someone if they said once every 6 months however

OP posts:
Sunburnisrareinscotland · 12/08/2024 15:28

I have mentioned this before so sorry for tmi. My exh had never seen female genitals until I was giving birth. He had no interest in a marriage in the usual sense... He wanted dc. But no dw. I had been led to believe he used condoms. I moved out. Fought long and hard for equal time with our dc... Ended up with ptsd and 6 stone....
He had a ons with my new landlord.
Keith.
It's there for you to see op.

Look hard...

Bobbotgegrinch · 12/08/2024 15:29

tendollarbanana · 12/08/2024 15:26

But once a week as he said is totally fine. I wouldn't have gotten in a relationship with someone if they said once every 6 months however

But he was happy with once a week in the honeymoon period. The point where you're meant to be able to not keep your hands off each other. It obviously bothered you back then as you asked him about it.

Not that it matters now, you're still left with the same choice. Live with a sexless relationship or move on.

MissConductUS · 12/08/2024 15:32

If he's in his 30s, it's unlikely, but he could have low testosterone leading to low libido. Ask him to have it checked (it's a simple blood test) if he's really interested in saving the relationship.

My DH went through this in his mid-40s, which is a more common age for men to see this onset.

Starlight1979 · 12/08/2024 15:42

In the early days I asked him about it and what he likes etc and essentially he said he's happy with missionary at bedtime once a week. I thought nah he must just be shy...

Yeah I'm sorry but I agree with @Bobbotgegrinch . If he was saying he only wanted it once a week in the honeymoon period he was probably already trying to gear you up for a sexless relationship...

MeAgainAndAgain · 12/08/2024 15:58

You’ve basically got three choices.

1 try counselling, books, massage etc to see if it gets better. It won’t.

2 just wait until your child is 18 if you want them to have the married parents upbringing, double income etc. This won’t do your mental health any good and your child will pick up on this.

3 leave and find someone more suitable. You will do this eventually, so you might as well do it now while your child is very young, you’ve got time on your side for another child if you want, and before your MH is destroyed.

Workingmammabear · 12/08/2024 15:59

Been here - it gets no better. My ex who I lived with for 4 years told numerous lies to excuse his lack of sex drive. From my dog (who was downstairs in another room) putting him off, to my pajamas being unattractive. He could never admit he just didn't fancy women and couldn't keep it up for any lady ever. It destroyed my self esteem and caused a huge amount of heartache. Look after yourself OP.

MounjaroUser · 12/08/2024 16:02

Tbh the lack of a hug in your entire relationship is extremely worrying. In a way I can see why he might not hug you in case you want sex, but does he never hug you if you are upset about anything?

The lack of a sex drive might be to do with hormone levels or whatever, but the lack of hugs is unforgiveable.

arethereanyleftatall · 12/08/2024 16:05

I think he's told you loud and clear, and always has done, where his sex life wants are. And you've ignored him and carried on pushing. I'm not saying that in a judgy way, we've all wanted men to change to how we want them to be, but more in a factual way. It isn't fair of you to keep pushing op. It isn't like he's changed, sex will always be less than it was in the first few years.

You have two choices, accept this life or leave.
Even if you give him the ultimatum, and he promises to change, do you really want to be having sex with someone who doesn't want to be?

MiddleAgedDread · 12/08/2024 16:11

Sunburnisrareinscotland · 12/08/2024 15:28

I have mentioned this before so sorry for tmi. My exh had never seen female genitals until I was giving birth. He had no interest in a marriage in the usual sense... He wanted dc. But no dw. I had been led to believe he used condoms. I moved out. Fought long and hard for equal time with our dc... Ended up with ptsd and 6 stone....
He had a ons with my new landlord.
Keith.
It's there for you to see op.

Look hard...

I've no idea how any of this relates to the OP's post (can only assume that rare as it is, you maybe have sunstroke in scotland) but ....."I had been led to believe he used condoms"......how did you not notice he wasn't using condoms?? Had you not seen male genitals either??

WallaceinAnderland · 12/08/2024 16:13

You're incompatible. He was honest with him. You chose him anyway, hoping that he would change. It hasn't worked out so the obvious answer is to separate.

mrandmrsrobinson · 12/08/2024 16:13

I knew someone in a relationship like this.
At home everything was comfortable material wise. They got on with their spouse really well. They were a regarded member of the community. To the outside world everything was and looked blissful however there was no intimacy, sex or affection within the marriage.
They had a lover. Totally discrete and once a week. Not saying it is for everyone.

Itdistractsfromthenow · 12/08/2024 16:17

He’s just not that interested in sex and it won’t get better.

If this isn’t the type of relationship you want, you need to leave.

tendollarbanana · 12/08/2024 17:57

I would like to add I have never pushed him to have sex or been anything but accepting when he's said he doesn't want to. The last conversation I suggested he let me know if he feels like it and I won't bring it up otherwise and we've basically stopped since then. The no cuddling is bad you guys are right... I started dreaming people were hugging me

OP posts:
TuesdayFilmClub · 12/08/2024 18:09

I was in a similar relationship, just the other way around. I started off thinking things would get better physically, but never did. Morning and evening kiss, hugs occasionally (very rarely in bed) and sex every 1-6 months for the last decade. Always excuses as to why (but usually tiredness). We had occasional chats about it, usually sounding like something might change but never did. I wrestled with whether the lack of a physical relationship was important enough to break up our family (we have kids). In the end she suggested splitting up, which to be honest I was thinking but I didn't want to do (or not brave enough?).
She has since told me that she doesn't like being touched and I was a rebound relationship. So, it feels like our 15+ year relationship was always doomed.
I feel it's the right decision, and I finally know the truth but I'm left with serious hang ups over relationships and sex. It's still early days (6 months) but I can't ever imagine having a relationship, let alone a sex life again. OP, try and have an honest talk with him. It's not worth the years of feeling rejected.

Comedycook · 12/08/2024 18:13

He will never change

BigPussyEnergy · 12/08/2024 18:15

For me sex and intimacy are two separate issues. You might be able to understand the lack of sex more if you had cuddles and kisses and he just had a low libido. Without the everyday intimacy of hugs and hand holds and kisses it is much more difficult to get into the frame of mind that you want sex.

So it seems he doesn’t want or enjoy any form of physical closeness from you. This isn’t something you’ll be able to fix in therapy etc, it’s just that he either doesn’t want or need that physical connection, or sadly that he just doesn’t want it from you.

My DP has a lower libido than I do, but he craves hugs and kisses. He's sometimes a little reluctant to get too passionate when kissing as he thinks it will get me frisky and then he’s under pressure to have sex. I’ve told him he doesn’t need to have any sex he doesn’t enthusiastically want of course, but he wants to please me so it’s a tricky balance. But I guarantee you if we didn’t hug and kiss I wouldn’t be sticking around for the less frequent sex. I’d still be his friend but for me the one thing that separates friends from lovers is the physical touch.

Sunburnisrareinscotland · 12/08/2024 18:32

Op he is gay
. As was my dh. Signs as in my post. Not sunstroke.

GorgeousTulips · 12/08/2024 18:39

Gay.