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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

Sexless Relationship - Privacy and Masturbation

27 replies

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:24

I've known my partner for 21 years in all. We spent ten years on the internet and 11 years together. We both have issues. He is depressed and suffers from avoidant personality disorder with dependent features. I am depressed and anxious. We sound like a great couple, right? I come from a trauma background, and so does he. Anyway. Things were great when we were online. We had many a funky time, and all was good. When we met, I got a whopper of a bladder infection and became phobic about sex since, I mean, the bladder infection lasted a whole year. It was hell, with loads of pain. Here is the thing. I didn't know he was very inexperienced until we met in person. He also sweats profusely, and so I am not keen on his hands all over my body, so foreplay is probably out.
I think it worked better for us on the internet. We don't have sex. We live together 24/7 and are never separate, which drives me nuts. I am very numb down there as I have issues, and orgasming takes a few gadgets and patience. My main problem is I never have orgasms. Simply because I never have privacy. I get so frustrated that I sometimes bring him along for the ride, but honestly because he makes zero effort and is very none sexual, I feel resentful and don't want him there. What the heck do I do? I mean, giving up sex is not too bad, but orgasms? When I was single, I had probably one a day. Now, I have two a year. Help! Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. (He rarely goes anywhere; if he does, it's quick). I've tried talking to him, asking him what he likes, I've tried all sorts, it's like a door slams shut. When I first met him in person, I realized he had a porn addiction. He stopped that, but it seems he has gone in the opposite direction, although I expect he does things in the shower probably every night. Sometimes, he looks at his computer and then goes to shower. Also, he lives on his laptop, and I live on mine because he doesn't really connect or talk. Who knows? I can't do it in the shower. That setting wouldn't work because the shower is in a cheap, nasty, slippery bath, and I'd probably fall over. Plus, the bathroom is literally in the 'middle of the house', and you can hear everything. He gets confused, I think because he thinks women don't need sex as much as men. Or pretends that not sure. I am on testosterone as part of HRT, and it's making it worse. It would only become OK if I stripped for him, did a show, and told him what to do throughout the act; otherwise, he's not interested. He's not submissive, in case you think that. :( he's a good guy, and I don't want to leave.

OP posts:
DucktailsWoohoo · 17/10/2024 23:27

Why live like this?
You sound miserable, him being 'a good guy' doesn't mean tou have to put up with a mediocre relationship and non existent sex life.

Spending 24/7 together is not healthy.

DustyAmuseAlien · 17/10/2024 23:32

Sounds like you need separate bedrooms at least. Or to just split up. If you were best as an online relationship that might be the best thing to revert to.

roseymoira · 17/10/2024 23:34

What kind of life do you have together? Do you both not go out to work? Socialise?

Sounds like you are both miserable in a house together, trying to secretly masturbate.

category12 · 17/10/2024 23:38

What do you actually have together?

You don't talk or connect, your sexlife is a disaster, you find him a bit disgusting from what you say about his sweatiness.

What's so good that it's keeping you together?

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:39

category12 · 17/10/2024 23:38

What do you actually have together?

You don't talk or connect, your sexlife is a disaster, you find him a bit disgusting from what you say about his sweatiness.

What's so good that it's keeping you together?

I love him more than I've ever loved anyone. He is kind and patient, my best friend, and my soulmate. The sex is terrible, that's all. I don't find him disgusting, but I don't like sweaty hands.

OP posts:
SnackSnack · 17/10/2024 23:40

Sounds like you have the ick pretty badly. How did moving in together happen? Did he move into your home or did you buy/rent together? It all seems very claustrophobic and there are men out there who you will be compatible with. This one doesn't seem like the one for you.

StepawayfromtheLindors · 17/10/2024 23:40

Grim

username3678 · 17/10/2024 23:41

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:39

I love him more than I've ever loved anyone. He is kind and patient, my best friend, and my soulmate. The sex is terrible, that's all. I don't find him disgusting, but I don't like sweaty hands.

Why are you together 24/7?

category12 · 17/10/2024 23:43

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:39

I love him more than I've ever loved anyone. He is kind and patient, my best friend, and my soulmate. The sex is terrible, that's all. I don't find him disgusting, but I don't like sweaty hands.

But you don't talk? 🤔

I don't get it.

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:47

username3678 · 17/10/2024 23:41

Why are you together 24/7?

As I mentioned, we both have issues. He is depressed and works from home, plus his is Avoidant Personality Disorder. I am retired and also have agoraphobia.

OP posts:
MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:47

category12 · 17/10/2024 23:43

But you don't talk? 🤔

I don't get it.

Twenty-one years is a long time; perhaps he got bored of talking to me!!

OP posts:
username3678 · 17/10/2024 23:49

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:47

As I mentioned, we both have issues. He is depressed and works from home, plus his is Avoidant Personality Disorder. I am retired and also have agoraphobia.

Are you in a studio flat? I'm wondering why you can't go to a separate room for alone time.

NPET · 17/10/2024 23:49

I'm sorry, I'm "only" 20 and so probably have a different mindset or opinion, but I mean wtf? He may have problems (we all have) but from your post you sound as if you deserve SO MUCH BETTER. I am not about to say "throw him out" - only you can say that - but separate bedrooms, some time alone, you seeing other men, you using vibes (or whatever you did or do).
Live without him!

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:55

username3678 · 17/10/2024 23:49

Are you in a studio flat? I'm wondering why you can't go to a separate room for alone time.

No, our bedroom is off the lounge. Now, maybe I am being weird(?) but do people just say, 'Hey, I am going to go and masturbate now'? Yes, I know, I sound like a prude. I can't understand why I feel this way. In the past, 'online' we are not prudes at all. It's gone from entirely uninhibited to completely inhibited for me. I think he always just tagged along for the ride. Looking back. Part of Avoidant is being unable to 'be yourself'; you get terrified of rejection. I don't want to lead as much as before. I think sex is less important now. After ten years, I am kind of used to having none, but I do need privacy, and this is the issue for me anyway.

OP posts:
TillyKister · 17/10/2024 23:57

My goodness reading through all of this, it's really hard to actually find anything positive, happy or redeeming in your relationship.

You mention a slight positive about him, but then counteract it with negatives.

You don't like him around you 24/7 because it drives you mad, then you both live on your laptops. You don't talk to each other, you don't have sex, you've got no privacy...

How can you love someone more than you've ever loved someone, and be his best friend when you don't like being around him very much.

It all contradicts itself OP, surely life would be better apart wouldn't it? There's just nothing there... It's not a relationship. It sounds like a codependent habit.

NPET · 18/10/2024 00:02

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:55

No, our bedroom is off the lounge. Now, maybe I am being weird(?) but do people just say, 'Hey, I am going to go and masturbate now'? Yes, I know, I sound like a prude. I can't understand why I feel this way. In the past, 'online' we are not prudes at all. It's gone from entirely uninhibited to completely inhibited for me. I think he always just tagged along for the ride. Looking back. Part of Avoidant is being unable to 'be yourself'; you get terrified of rejection. I don't want to lead as much as before. I think sex is less important now. After ten years, I am kind of used to having none, but I do need privacy, and this is the issue for me anyway.

But you SHOULDN'T be used to not having sex. That's unhealthy. I'm trying to picture myself in your situation, but I can't. You've just got to move on to a man who "performs" and makes life worth living.

username3678 · 18/10/2024 00:16

MauveCritic · 17/10/2024 23:55

No, our bedroom is off the lounge. Now, maybe I am being weird(?) but do people just say, 'Hey, I am going to go and masturbate now'? Yes, I know, I sound like a prude. I can't understand why I feel this way. In the past, 'online' we are not prudes at all. It's gone from entirely uninhibited to completely inhibited for me. I think he always just tagged along for the ride. Looking back. Part of Avoidant is being unable to 'be yourself'; you get terrified of rejection. I don't want to lead as much as before. I think sex is less important now. After ten years, I am kind of used to having none, but I do need privacy, and this is the issue for me anyway.

You could say that you're going for a nap.

LoafofSellotape · 18/10/2024 00:22

It doesn't sound like you like him very much and I don't blame you.

Can't you say you want an early night and go to bed first? Or a nap?

Waitforit7 · 18/10/2024 00:22

So you’re essentially very good friends? In which case why don’t you remain very good friends but not say you are in a relationship when you both want to avoid sex with each other and find each other not to your liking sexually? You’ve settled, and it’s a shame. As someone else said it’s like you’re in each other pockets while both desperate to find time to secretly masturbate, I don’t get it

category12 · 18/10/2024 06:01

You don't like him around you 24/7 because it drives you mad, then you both live on your laptops. You don't talk to each other, you don't have sex, you've got no privacy...How can you love someone more than you've ever loved someone, and be his best friend when you don't like being around him very much.This. You should really go back to living apart and having an online relationship if that's where the joy is. You sound unhappy living together.

HappyLemur · 18/10/2024 06:19

I think it's tough when both people have a trauma background because you both walk on eggshells at times. Even if there's no reason for it. At least that was my experience in a relationship where we both had trauma. Can you talk to a couples counselor?

CameronStrike · 18/10/2024 06:26

I'm not sure how he's your best friend and soulmate if you don't connect and don't have sex but hey. This relationship sounds suffocating and really unhealthy. Finding somewhere to masturbate is the least of your problems.

MauveCritic · 18/10/2024 09:07

CameronStrike · 18/10/2024 06:26

I'm not sure how he's your best friend and soulmate if you don't connect and don't have sex but hey. This relationship sounds suffocating and really unhealthy. Finding somewhere to masturbate is the least of your problems.

We have a massive history together. People have passed away (my whole family), and we have gone through massive changes in our lives. We have both suffered trauma, we have suffered grief, and we get on well. We make each other laugh, we offload things that hurt, and we share our lives. He has APD. This is how he is. I have trauma, and that is how I am. The question was how to find privacy. He's not the ideal man, and I am not the perfect woman. I guess I am realistic about that. I will not throw him away just because I cannot find privacy. He is probably the kindest, most decent bloke I have ever met. Sex is not essential to me now. He is. I gave some background, that's all. I don't expect Mumsnet to solve my whole relationship situation. However, I have had some reminders from other posters that certain things need to be changed.

OP posts:
MauveCritic · 18/10/2024 09:09

HappyLemur · 18/10/2024 06:19

I think it's tough when both people have a trauma background because you both walk on eggshells at times. Even if there's no reason for it. At least that was my experience in a relationship where we both had trauma. Can you talk to a couples counselor?

We are on a waiting list, so I hope that will come soon. I was told the wait is two years, but it's true. Trauma is so hard on people.

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 18/10/2024 09:30

If he's the kindest man you have ever been with what's stopping you telling him exactly what you've posted? Can you not tell him you're going for some alone time and he can join in if he wants to or not?