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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

Should I give in? (Sex-related question)

391 replies

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:10

Hi! I'm not a mom, so I'm not so sure if this is the place I can come to with my situation, but I figured I'd try because other forums I've given a shot have been disappointing or downright frustrating. (one word: manosphere) I hope I don't offend anyone by posting here.

Some background: current boyfriend and I have been together for about a year. Generally we have a solid relationship. We understand each other for the most part and I enjoy spending time with him. My attraction to him has had to grow; I showed an interest mostly because he is the kind of person I need right now, particularly after getting out of a ... rocky relationship. My ex was/is the complete opposite of current boyfriend, who is gentle, understanding, considerate, open to things I like and willing to try, too. While the physical aspect with current boyfriend has had to develop a bit, I was immediately head over heels for ex and the chemistry was sort of out of this world. In short, an overall very different vibe than the one I have with current boyfriend, which feels a lot more tame and safe in comparison.
I realized however that what I had with my ex was getting to me, it was unhealthy, and that I deserved more, better, from a potential partner than what I was receiving.

A couple of weeks ago current boyfriend and I got drunk together, it was a wonderful night. I made the crucial mistake, however, of getting so drunk I was no longer in control of what I was saying. I let it slip that I did certain sexual acts with my ex that I am not interested in doing again. There was no pressure or initiative from my ex there, it happened because I was curious about doing it with him. I am no longer curious about it. Ex and I never did it again.

This nugget of information has for some reason stuck to current boyfriend's brain, and, a day or two later: indeed, he asks me to try it with him, too. Says he'll be careful, will stop if it's too much, yada yada. And of course, the old, "You let him do it to you, why can't I?"

I said no. "Why?"

Because I don't care for it. I tried, didn't do anything for me, never did it again.

"But don't you think it's a bit unfair that you were willing to try, at least, with him, but won't with me?"

No.

Since then he has kind of been moping? Our sex life is generally not too wild, we usually do it maybe once or twice a week which is... a stark difference from my previous relationship... but it has completely died down. No sex. I know he gets off on his own, I have taken initiative, only to be cold shouldered. Besides sexually he has been distant emotionally, too. Did I hurt him or his ego so badly to deserve this? I can't imagine being angry in his place.

What do you think? I'd like to read some other perspectives from women, or perhaps people who have been through something similar with their partner?
Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Namechangerage · 22/10/2025 09:12

Also I agree with PPs that you should focus on yourself and only then look for a partner that you fancy AND is nice to you. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

TheBlueHotel · 22/10/2025 09:13

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:38

I have asked him why he wants to do it so badly when I tell him it hurt a lot for me. The answer being, you did it with your ex, can't you take the pain for a second for me, too? I think it's not even as much about the act itself, or intimacy, which was the reason why I tried it with the ex; I think it's a weird ego thing.

Edited

Oh my god this is so disturbing. He's not a nice man, I'm sorry but he's not. Nice men don't coerce their partners into painful sex act they don't want to do.

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:14

I am just going to put it out there: I am kind of afraid of falling back into old habits - a man - if this relationship ends. The only thing really holding me back is current boyfriend. I cherish what he has done for me and I wouldn't betray him like that... by running back to someone I have told him treated me pretty badly at times. And I know going back would be sort of catastrophic for me. My mental health, at least. And my family relationships, which have only recently recovered. I'm stuck. Maybe I'm making myself stuck.

OP posts:
Juniperberry55 · 22/10/2025 09:14

Op this man is as grim as the last one, just presents differently. Moping about the fact you don't want to retry an unpleasant experience with him.... Nope. Get rid. Find someone else you feel attracted to, treats you well and respects your boundaries

Imbrocator · 22/10/2025 09:15

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:38

I have asked him why he wants to do it so badly when I tell him it hurt a lot for me. The answer being, you did it with your ex, can't you take the pain for a second for me, too? I think it's not even as much about the act itself, or intimacy, which was the reason why I tried it with the ex; I think it's a weird ego thing.

Edited

This is such a huge red flag. Whatever you do, don’t stay with a man who is actively trying to blackmail you into suffering through pain just so he can be on an imaginary level footing with your ex.

Please - run for the bloody hills and don’t ever look back. I can’t say this strongly enough.

BlueSlate · 22/10/2025 09:16

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:00

The sex is not good and when it happens I zone out. I let him do his thing. I think that answers your questions. I've told myself this is because it was always good with my ex, and I'm making a totally unfair comparison between two wholly different men, and I shouldn't; but he does, or did, represent everything I want in a partner - safety, being treated gently, with care - so I was OK with taking the sex as it was. I can do without.

OK well, now that safety and being treated gently and with care are off the table...

What does he have to offer?

You really don't want to he stuck with someone where the sex is shit. Not even because great sex is necessarily wildly important (given you say you can do without and will use that to justify it) but because every time you let it happen, it takes away a little bit more of your humanity.

Every time you zone out and let someone do their thing, it dehumanises you.

Zoning out is your brains way of protecting you. You're having a fight, flight or freeze response every single time you 'let him'.

You are worth so much more even if you don't see it.

AInightingale · 22/10/2025 09:16

Don't let a man use, abuse and potentially damage your body OP.

When you are older, you will ask yourself why you allowed selfish men to treat you so badly. I do, countless women do. You deserve better, or failing that, it's infinitely preferable to be single.

kkloo · 22/10/2025 09:16

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:44

Honestly, I thought: maybe I should just go through it, it's usually quick anyways - and after that we can go back to normal? I would hate to lose this relationship, even though, yes, this has definitely shown me another side of him.

It wouldn't go back to normal, because then he'll always be your boyfriend who coerced you into letting him do that just because of his ego. It would be very difficult to feel safe with him after that.

CatchTheWind1920 · 22/10/2025 09:17

He's not as nice as you think. Mi dh would never ever pressure me to do anything I didn't want. And we both know each others past quite well after 15 years together. Move on, op. He's not who you think. It's never ok to guilt or pressure people into sexual acts.

Swedemom · 22/10/2025 09:17

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:00

The sex is not good and when it happens I zone out. I let him do his thing. I think that answers your questions. I've told myself this is because it was always good with my ex, and I'm making a totally unfair comparison between two wholly different men, and I shouldn't; but he does, or did, represent everything I want in a partner - safety, being treated gently, with care - so I was OK with taking the sex as it was. I can do without.

Being alone can not be so awful that this is better. You don't really want to be with him.

CatchTheWind1920 · 22/10/2025 09:17

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:14

I am just going to put it out there: I am kind of afraid of falling back into old habits - a man - if this relationship ends. The only thing really holding me back is current boyfriend. I cherish what he has done for me and I wouldn't betray him like that... by running back to someone I have told him treated me pretty badly at times. And I know going back would be sort of catastrophic for me. My mental health, at least. And my family relationships, which have only recently recovered. I'm stuck. Maybe I'm making myself stuck.

Edited

Why do you need a man? Why can't you stay single for a while and focus on yourself? It sounds like you need to

ButtonMushrooms · 22/10/2025 09:18

@TipsyOrca have you ever had therapy? It sounds like you really need it.

Phobiaphobic · 22/10/2025 09:19

Your current bf is an immature cunt. You need to ditch him and develop better boundaries.

FairyBatman · 22/10/2025 09:19

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:14

I am just going to put it out there: I am kind of afraid of falling back into old habits - a man - if this relationship ends. The only thing really holding me back is current boyfriend. I cherish what he has done for me and I wouldn't betray him like that... by running back to someone I have told him treated me pretty badly at times. And I know going back would be sort of catastrophic for me. My mental health, at least. And my family relationships, which have only recently recovered. I'm stuck. Maybe I'm making myself stuck.

Edited

Why do you think that leaving one man means you’ve got to run straight to another?

You need to be single for awhile find value in yourself not as part of a couple and work on your self-esteem.

you might also benefit from reading through the freedom program and seeing if you can identify some of the patterns.

Chazbots · 22/10/2025 09:20

Pain is for a reason usually. Says damage is being inflicted.

I agree with having a pretty stark explicit conversation in a neutral tone. If that doesn't work, tell him to do one.

BlueSlate · 22/10/2025 09:20

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:14

I am just going to put it out there: I am kind of afraid of falling back into old habits - a man - if this relationship ends. The only thing really holding me back is current boyfriend. I cherish what he has done for me and I wouldn't betray him like that... by running back to someone I have told him treated me pretty badly at times. And I know going back would be sort of catastrophic for me. My mental health, at least. And my family relationships, which have only recently recovered. I'm stuck. Maybe I'm making myself stuck.

Edited

Have you got friends you can talk to about this?

I appreciate that talking to strangers online isn't the same in terms of support.

Can you arrange counselling?

I can't say too much because I don't want to link usernames but I've seen the very serious outcomes for women who prioritise being with a man, any man, above all.else including themselves. And it's not good.

Is there anyone you can speak to IRL?

ETA: the comment about not betraying him is really concerning. Protecting yourself is not a betrayal.

Fannyannie · 22/10/2025 09:20

Read you own post back. What would you tell another woman to do.

Dump him. Move on. You deserve better. There is better. Be strong.

aCatCalledFawkes · 22/10/2025 09:21

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:44

Honestly, I thought: maybe I should just go through it, it's usually quick anyways - and after that we can go back to normal? I would hate to lose this relationship, even though, yes, this has definitely shown me another side of him.

He won't want it just once, why would he if he enjoys it? He'll ask again and then it will just become a thing.
My ex partner father to my son. wanted it once and then pestered me over and over again, it was awful. I told a new partner (as he was last year but now he's an ex) and all he did was start banging on about it too but reframed it as "something new we could try that might be fun". It took a while for me to realise the sex I thought was good at the start had mainly just become all about him.

vitalityvix · 22/10/2025 09:22

IF you wanted to reason with this man (I wouldn’t), I’d ask him why he is competing with your ex. You left ex because he was horrible. If he continues to be horrible, you’ll be leaving him too.

IF you wanted to stay in this relationship (I wouldn’t) I would ask you, what efforts have you made to develop the intimacy? Have you told him what you like? Suggested other positions/toys? I don’t think people are inherently bad at sex, you just need to learn each other.

thepariscrimefiles · 22/10/2025 09:23

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:38

I have asked him why he wants to do it so badly when I tell him it hurt a lot for me. The answer being, you did it with your ex, can't you take the pain for a second for me, too? I think it's not even as much about the act itself, or intimacy, which was the reason why I tried it with the ex; I think it's a weird ego thing.

Edited

Honestly, I gasped at 'you did it with your ex, can't you take the pain for a second for me, too?' He is willing to hurt you to win some bizarre competition that he is having with your ex. He is actually abusive. You need to end the relationship.

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:23

CatchTheWind1920 · 22/10/2025 09:17

Why do you need a man? Why can't you stay single for a while and focus on yourself? It sounds like you need to

I was single up until the age of 23; never dated, never held hands with a man, nothing. All of my firsts are in my previous relationship and I experienced all of that as so exhilarating, freeing, and just... wondrous that I keep trying to re-live that. After I broke things off because I couldn't handle the sort of lifestyle my ex is known to live, I was alone for a little while and isolated myself completely. From friends, family, neighbors I previously had a good relationship with. I slacked off at work as I could not concentrate on anything but what ex might possibly be doing - does he already have someone else? does he miss me like I miss him? - and had a couple of almost-encounters with unemployment. It really was that bad.
There's something to be said about emotional abuse, or at the very least manipulation, there; so much of my self esteem relied on him, on being seen by him, on being loved by him, that it went completely down the drain when he left my life. Being alone is a nightmare to me.
And I will go back, I think, if I am alone. It's been hard to go completely NC, even now. I live in a different city but he finds a way. It's not that he pursues me per se, but sometimes he'll pop up for me and I'll be in this weird spiral where I tell myself:
Why am I wasting my time trying to see him in a man he isn't?

OP posts:
Shmee1988 · 22/10/2025 09:24

I dont think its about the act itself at all. You could have told him that you did anything with your ex but wont so it with him and it would still have rattled him. Maybe its a touch of insecurity but most likely jealousy. Its not nice and he shoukd not pressure you to do something you dont want to do. I hate to admit it, but I do get his reaction to a degree. If my partner said he had done something with someone else but doesn't want to with me, id be a little hurt I think, regardless of what it was.
This relationship doesn't sound right for you. Why settle? You dont have to choose between 'kind and safe' and 'mind blowing attraction'. There will be someone out there that ticks all the boxes for you but you wont find them while youre with this guy. Consider moving on. Good luck

VickyEadieofThigh · 22/10/2025 09:25

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:38

I have asked him why he wants to do it so badly when I tell him it hurt a lot for me. The answer being, you did it with your ex, can't you take the pain for a second for me, too? I think it's not even as much about the act itself, or intimacy, which was the reason why I tried it with the ex; I think it's a weird ego thing.

Edited

Love, this is not a good man - he's been behaving himself thus far but is now showing his true colours. Your ex was better in this respect - understood it was unpleasant for you and didn't bother you again (and yes, I 'allowed' it when I was sleeping with a man I was infatuated with years ago and hated it. I've no idea why any women like it).

Frankly, as others have suggested - I'd dump him now.

freakingscared · 22/10/2025 09:25

do T do anything you are not comfortable doing for others . No ifs .
And pleas learn from this and don’t discuss your previous sex life with a new relationship.

Adooree · 22/10/2025 09:26

@TipsyOrca

The more you post , the more I sense this relationship is not really for you .
I think you have a fear of being alone , so jump into any relationship which in turn is very much like the previous one , a bit shit , but you put up with it because it's better than not having one .
Dump him , spend some time alone , don't fear it , find out who you are , a worthy person who deserves more .

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