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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

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:
Sadcafe · 22/10/2025 09:53

Just because you did something with one partner and something you didn’t enjoy anyway, doesn’t mean you have to do it with another. Sex should be a two way process , if he continues to act the same, maybe he’s not the person you thought he was, think about looking elsewhere

Fabulously · 22/10/2025 09:54

Why don’t you get therapy then? Or seek some help with your mental health and your past?

23 isn’t even that weird of an age to get started with dating. There are more men in the world aside from these 2.

SpaceRaccoon · 22/10/2025 09:54

Being honest, you're not into him anyway, you're just with him because he's "nice". And now he's proved not to be nice, so...

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 09:54

Joliefolie · 22/10/2025 09:49

OP, you need therapy. Work through the attachment issues with a therapist and stop using men to cover over the trauma. If you want the relationship you deserve - one where neither of you are using the other as objects to fill in your own lack of self-esteem - then you first need to work on the relationship you have to yourself. Look at your reasons for not wanting to lose this relationship with a man that is willing to see you in pain in order to deal with his self-esteem issues. The time to do this is NOW. You deserve so much better. You won't get it if you don't put some effort in. Get the support you need from a therapist. What is your friendship situation like?

Edited

I had a lot of friends, a pretty extensive circle, before my first relationship. With the ex mentioned. I was pretty consumed by all of these firsts I had with him and focused much, most, of my time on him. He was also controlling, as I have mentioned, firmly against certain friends of mine hanging around me as they kept some bad habits like drinking and drugs; I lost these friends, which in hindsight, isn't so bad, but I lost a lot of other, closer, friends as well. Friends I made in HS. Who, along with my parents, did not approve of my relationship with my ex for our age difference, at the time 23-38, as well as my ex's lifestyle. They sort of made me choose between them and him and my decision was pretty quickly made. I went NC for the entirety of our relationship, being two years, with my parents and sibs. As well as these mentioned HS friends.
Since ex and I broke things off, I have been having sporadic contact with these friends and am seeing my mother every now and again. My father does not want to see me.
I am afraid that if I open up and express that my current boyfriend is persisting on something like this, they will judge me. Or insinuate I am just looking for reasons to get rid of a perfectly fine boyfriend to go run with "your manchild musician ex".

OP posts:
Omgblueskys · 22/10/2025 09:54

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:29

It is anal, yes. As I said, we tried once, never again. Ex didn't want to redo it because it hurt for me and I cried. It is pretty bleak to think that my ex, who could be a controlling bastard at times, had more regard for that than current boyfriend? Who is in every other way a total dream to be with? Like, no genuine reaction whatsoever when I say it hurt too much for me and I have no interest in doing it again?
"I know, but if we take it slow and do enough preparation, it won't hurt. You know me, right? I wouldn't hurt you?"
I know he wouldn't. Not intentionally at least. But where does this weird entitlement come from, from a man I have only experienced as sensitive, gentle, even a feminist I would say? I don't understand.

Edited

It comes from him wanting power over you, your feeling,

Dump him op, what a prize he is , ffs Dump him,

IvedoneitagainhaventI · 22/10/2025 09:55

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

That is absolutely appalling.
When he said that to you the relationship should have been over there and then.

Edited to say he sounds like one of these misogynistic men who watch sadistic porn and talk with admiration about the women being " able to take it" when they are being subjected to excruciatingly painful sexual acts

Mischance · 22/10/2025 09:55

You should never "give in" - you should never do anything sexually that you are not enthusiastic about. If you are with someone who does not share that view, then out he goes ......

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 22/10/2025 09:58

Honestly, I thought: maybe I should just go through it, it's usually quick anyways - and after that we can go back to normal?

Absolutely DON'T do this. It will not "go back to normal" it will create a "new normal" where your boyfriend says "but you did it with me once - you can do it again".

The only thing to say to your boyfriend now is "byeee".

You're with your current boyfriend mostly because you felt safe with him. You don't fancy him, you don't really enjoy sex with him. Now you've found out that you aren't safe with him either. He has shown his true colours. Dump him and don't look back.

Staying with this man is already an "old habit". He isn't safe to be with, so break your habit and go now.

You need to learn how to take things slowly and find what you want. The obsessing and isolating yourself from everyone are things you need to learn not to do. You need friends and neighbours and workmates as well as a partner - in fact you need them more than you need a partner! They are the foundation for building a life and then a marriage.

You were alone because you cut yourself off. Take a break from men while you work on your self esteem and build up your other social relationships, the ones that will be there during your relationship and will still be there for you if you end a relationship. Some talking threapy may help you understand the patterns that have beem making you do this and build new healthy patterns.

There are good men who are safe to be with who you'll fancy and in the end you will find the man for you - but get your social foundations in place first. You will have a better life and a better marriage in the end if you do.

BoundaryGirl3939 · 22/10/2025 09:59

No, no, no Op. Your current boyfriend doesn't respect you at all. Run away now! He is a creep who pretends to care! PLEASE RUN!

3luckystars · 22/10/2025 09:59

He sounds like a baby. What a turn off.
And you weren’t even that turned on to begin with. I would trust your inner alarm
on this one!!

NEXT!

Northquit · 22/10/2025 10:01

@TipsyOrca

No is a complete sentence.

You are going to be bullied into it if you stay with this man.
Re-read your posts and imagine someone confiding in you with those snippets.

Breaking up with him will be better for your mental health.

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 22/10/2025 10:03

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.

Never ‘just go through with’ something you are being coerced into. It would be rape because you are not giving proper consent.

And you won’t go back to normal, you’ll be in a new normal where he has no respect for you and will keep requesting more sex acts you don’t want.

BoundaryGirl3939 · 22/10/2025 10:04

Its always the feminist men who secretly hate women.

GlomOfNit · 22/10/2025 10:05

Sorry OP, he is neither gentle or considerate if you've laid it out for him that you tried a potentially painful sex act with someone else because you were one-time curious, it HURT, it also does nothing for you sexually, you lacking a prostate and all, and that you don't want to do it again.

You are not your current BF's f*ckhole. He does not get to try anything he wants with you just because. Sex is a two-way street. If one party doesn't want to do something, it does not happen. Your BF seems to think he's entitled to something another man 'had' (even though that one-time act was at your own instigation and you decided it was your mistake, never again). That's incel thinking as far as I'm concerned.

Now he's punishing you because you are 'withholding' a sex act from him. I think this tells you all you need to know. He is not 'owed' sex from you or from anyone else. If doing anal is that important to him then maybe the relationship is not for him. If I were with a man who asked me to do something in bed I said I really didn't want to do, that it hurt me and wasn't at all sexy, that would be it. Done.

PTown · 22/10/2025 10:06

I once read an article where they surveyed blokes on their sexual preferences and why. “What do you enjoy about anal sex” was asked, and a resounding response was that they enjoyed the control they felt when they could get their partner to do something that she disliked or caused her discomfort. “If she does something that hurts for me, it means she’s really into me.”

Jollyhockeystickss · 22/10/2025 10:07

No of course he shouldnt put pressure on you but i think hes seen you in a different light and maybe he said some things you shouldnt have done and he feels you really liked your ex and dont like him and the sex was amazing and its not now etc etc..sit him down explai how you feel you want to be with him etc etc and say if he continues to put pressure on you its over

Nanny0gg · 22/10/2025 10:07

Dump him.

Get therapy

Do not date for some considerable time and until after considerable therapy.

MaryBeery · 22/10/2025 10:07

Sex is meant to be a mutually enjoyable activity, not an opportunity for your boyfriend to tick something off his bucket list. The fact he's acting like a spoilt child over this would be enough to give me the ick, and it doesn't sound like he's particularly good at pushing all the right buttons. Ditch him, and spend some time working on yourself rather than throwing yourself into the search for another bloke or running back to the ex, because from what you've described here your relationship patterns are deeply unhealthy.

Sparkletastic · 22/10/2025 10:08

Stop choosing between two sub-standard men and start choosing yourself.

BoundaryGirl3939 · 22/10/2025 10:09

PTown · 22/10/2025 10:06

I once read an article where they surveyed blokes on their sexual preferences and why. “What do you enjoy about anal sex” was asked, and a resounding response was that they enjoyed the control they felt when they could get their partner to do something that she disliked or caused her discomfort. “If she does something that hurts for me, it means she’s really into me.”

My thoughts too. I don't mean to offended anyone, but anal sex is plain degrading.

Devilsmommy · 22/10/2025 10:10

Hillrunning · 22/10/2025 08:19

He isnt a good man. Good men don't respond that way. Get rid of him. And never ever 'give in' when it comes to anything sexual. Consent matters.

Always always this. Giving in is not consent. Tell him to stop being a rapey twat and dump him

Flakey99 · 22/10/2025 10:10

BoundaryGirl3939 · 22/10/2025 10:04

Its always the feminist men who secretly hate women.

What’s that supposed to mean? 😂

GlomOfNit · 22/10/2025 10:13

Look, Americans are meant to be really into 'therapy' and TBH it's something we Brits often snigger about. But in this instance - YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL THERAPY! Flowers Friends aren't going to hack it, not from what you said. You need to see someone dispassionate and not emotionally connected to you, not a friend you're scared will judge you.

duvetday0006 · 22/10/2025 10:15

I guess the fundamental difference is despite the first guy's inadequacies, he didn't want to keep doing something that hurt you. Whereas your current partner is only thinking of himself.

Been in a similar situation myself FWIW. FWB who was stereotypical dickhead refused to keep going with rough sex when I said it hurt a little, even when I said no it's ok (young and naive and just wanted to impress him). Mr Nice Guy in contrast would be saying something similar to what your current partner is. Just saying it is quite telling..Continue to assert your boundaries op. His reaction will tell you what you need to know.

HelpMeUnpickThis · 22/10/2025 10:18

TipsyOrca · 22/10/2025 08:51

You're not wrong there. I do have terrible taste in men and I have rushed into relationships since breaking things off with my ex. There were two other guys in-between that I saw for two weeks each, approximately, nothing romantic/sexual happened, but I know these 'relationships' only transpired because I am trying to fill a void. I don't want to think about my current relationship as a void filler or God forbid a 'rebound', but I am cognizant there is indeed a pattern, and maybe a constant throughout. Everything is somehow a comparison to my ex.

@TipsyOrca

You really need to take some time out to heal from your ex.

Be single for a bit. Get therapy if you can. There are also online support groups if therapy costs are an issue.

But please heal first.

You are picking the wrong sort of people. You deserve better than these anal-obsessed porn addled men.

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