Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Partner wants me to sleep with other men…

375 replies

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 18:40

I’ve nc for this.

Has anyone else had experience of this? I’ve expressed no interest in sleeping around and I’m perfectly happy with my partner. We’ve been together for nearly twenty years (I’m mid-fifties, he’s early 60s) and have a regular, fun and interesting sex life. He has ED which we’ve worked through together (with the help of Viagra) so that isn’t an issue and at no point have I said it is one. I’m post-menopause and while I’m confident in my skin and still enjoy sex I really have no urge to get involved with anyone new.

Increasingly regularly, he’s suggested I can sleep with other men ‘if I want’. He says he gets off on the idea. A threesome would make more sense to me (although it isn’t something we’ve done) but I just don’t understand why he’d want me to go off and do that. However hard I try to think about it rationally I can’t come up with anything because it isn’t rational. Like a lot of women, I couldn’t shag someone without becoming close to them.

Does anyone have any insight into why he’s suggesting this? I’ve asked if it’s because he wants to do the same but he says he has no interest in that and he just wants me to ‘enjoy myself’. But I do, with him! Everything else about our relationship is lovely, more so I suspect because we don’t live together and only see each other a couple of days a week.

When he makes these suggestions it makes me feel as though he thinks our most intimate times are unimportant. When I’ve put this to him he says I’m being silly and it doesn’t mean that at all.

Any insights? I really don’t want to ‘LTB’ because everything else about our relationship is great.

OP posts:
AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:25

You are just asking for heartache.

Well I’ve got it either way then haven’t I? I’d still rather understand where he’s coming from with the whole thing before I write him off completely as I don’t feel I’m armed with all the facts yet. There is a very serious ‘in person’ conversation to be had.

OP posts:
MyDandyUmberDuck · 22/01/2026 23:26

Have you actually said to him “I have clearly stated I do not want this. This would be for your fun only, not mine. Let’s talk about this and why you want me to do this thing that makes me feel really uncomfortable. Why do you want this?”

SingleUseTeaTowel · 22/01/2026 23:27

@AnOddOne okay so, you just want people on an internet forum to say ‘oh it’s ok perfectly normal crack on with your ‘lovely’ partner’ then ? I would suggest professional counselling

ChattyCatty25 · 22/01/2026 23:28

It’s a cuckoldry fetish.

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:35

Have you actually said to him “I have clearly stated I do not want this. This would be for your fun only, not mine. Let’s talk about this and why you want me to do this thing that makes me feel really uncomfortable. Why do you want this?”

Yes I have and his reply has been that he ‘just wants me to have fun’. This is evidently utter bullshit and MY ‘fun’ is not what matters to him here. It’s as though he’s lost control somehow and I can’t help but feel there’s another person involved (male or female). All I do know for sure is I’m fucking sick of it.

OP posts:
Justlovedogs · 22/01/2026 23:37

ShawnaMacallister · 22/01/2026 19:28

My DH and I have an open ish relationship and we both enjoy some things along these lines - it's just a bit of fun with likeminded people, nobody gets feelings involved. It doesn't mean we don't love or fancy each other, it's just a fun thing on the side. BUT we only ever do anything either separately or together if we are both up for it. You are not. So he needs to STFU and put the idea away sharpish. You don't need to question his feelings for you because this is something he would like - but I would question his respect for you that he keeps bringing it up. No means no - remind him of that.

This. My DH and I flirted with a little swinging. It was fun but done wholly on the understanding that we were both 100% up for it. If one said no, neither of us did anything.
It's the constant suggestion of it that's concerning. He should respect your no and drop it.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 22/01/2026 23:39

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:25

You are just asking for heartache.

Well I’ve got it either way then haven’t I? I’d still rather understand where he’s coming from with the whole thing before I write him off completely as I don’t feel I’m armed with all the facts yet. There is a very serious ‘in person’ conversation to be had.

It's heartache at the loss of what once was, or heartache with humiliation and a loss of self esteem. I'm guessing your self confidence is already shot, though.

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:45

okay so, you just want people on an internet forum to say ‘oh it’s ok perfectly normal crack on with your ‘lovely’ partner’ then ? I would suggest professional counselling No@SingleUseTeaTowel, that isn’t what I want. I posted in an effort to gain insight about what might be going on with my partner and I’ve had some incredibly helpful responses. I’m not sure I need professional counselling but I’ll bear it in mind. What I do need is to not write off an otherwise fantastic relationship if this is something that can be resolved for both of us. What I have to do now of course is find out if our relationship is as ‘fantastic’ as I think it is…

OP posts:
LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 22/01/2026 23:47

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:35

Have you actually said to him “I have clearly stated I do not want this. This would be for your fun only, not mine. Let’s talk about this and why you want me to do this thing that makes me feel really uncomfortable. Why do you want this?”

Yes I have and his reply has been that he ‘just wants me to have fun’. This is evidently utter bullshit and MY ‘fun’ is not what matters to him here. It’s as though he’s lost control somehow and I can’t help but feel there’s another person involved (male or female). All I do know for sure is I’m fucking sick of it.

Maybe it's his mate?

I read all the suggestions and the one I think is most likely - given your gut feelings - is that he's cheated, or he wants to cheat.

Manova14 · 22/01/2026 23:47

I know a middle aged couple where the man wanted to open up the marriage and he encouraged his wife to see other men. She went along with this out of curiosity and she quite enjoyed a couple of dates and shags, but didn't particularly want to continue as she was happy in the marriage, busy with life, etc.
the husband then told her he has always been bisexual, and as she's had a chance to "play" (🤢) and explore, she now should be agreeable to him going out with men.
Very manipulative way to get what he wanted.

The lesson is be very clear about what you are (or aren't) agreeing to. I would bet anything your op has a hidden agenda.

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:50

I'm guessing your self confidence is already shot, though.

Not in the slightest. I’ve had moments of feeling sad (‘am I not enough’) but of course this has always been about him, not me.

OP posts:
HisNotHes · 22/01/2026 23:53

“If I want” is the crucial part. You don’t - end of discussion.

FlyHighLikeABird · 23/01/2026 00:22

I think the problem here is that it's uncovered something that seems a bit murky, or at least not transparent, and you can't just cover it back up. It's so clearly not about you and your pleasure, as you've made it clear that it's not your thing. He doesn't really seem to want to explain what's going on. It must be disconcerting after a long time together and when you seem very happy in other ways.

I don't think you can do more than ask him again, and say- why now? why this? and listen.

I mean, he could have the start of dementia, as it does include sexual disinhibition, but other possibilities do seem more likely.

I feel for you OP as this is unsettling in a long relationship.

MissDoubleU · 23/01/2026 00:29

He “just wants you to have fun” because if you sleep with other men, he can too. He doesn’t want to watch because he wants to open the relationship. He’s fine with you having additional sexual partners, this indicates he wants the same. He is framing it as he is doing you some kind of favour and being totally selfless about it because that’s how men get what they want.

“oh it’s not about me dear, I just want you to have fun.” Then when it’s established he can introduce the idea of also having additional fun.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 23/01/2026 00:30

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 23:50

I'm guessing your self confidence is already shot, though.

Not in the slightest. I’ve had moments of feeling sad (‘am I not enough’) but of course this has always been about him, not me.

Hoping you can have that conversation once and for all, then.

ShareDare · 23/01/2026 00:42

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 19:01

Are there any men on here who can explain? Or women who’d like their partner to do this? I’m no prude but it makes no sense to try to push your partner into somebody else’s arms. I’m all ears when it comes to explanations though!

Man here (sorry)

My wife an I have been in an Ethical Monogamous Relationship (ENM) for the past 3 years, and were together for 15 years before this.

We now have a dynamic which includes Hot Wifing (which it sounds like your partner is into) as well as more traditional swinging.

Given how long we had been together it took a lot of gentle probing / fantasy talk before we both came to the realisation we both had very compatible kinks. I suspect this is what your partner is doing, albeit in this case not reciprocated.

I genuinely get a lot of pleasure (compersion) from knowing my partner is enjoying herself, whether or not I’m there. Which is a suprisingly common trait in the lifestyle (but I appreciate not in every day life!).

So I fully understand your frustration for your partner not responding to your clear answer on this, but I do understand why we would potentially get pleasure out of this!

Notgoingononlyfansyet · 23/01/2026 01:02

AnOddOne · 22/01/2026 19:01

Are there any men on here who can explain? Or women who’d like their partner to do this? I’m no prude but it makes no sense to try to push your partner into somebody else’s arms. I’m all ears when it comes to explanations though!

I am a swinger and there are definitely men like this around. Mostly, they are very together and lovely guys (although of course I don't have to live with them!) and they are almost all single. The only married one I know of is a female swinging friend's husband and he's a typical middle aged bloke otherwise. I think he just can't be arsed with her high drive (or the mental load of their house and kids, actually). I've never met him.

For some reason, men seem to THINK they love this idea and then it causes massive problems when a relationship is opened up in any way. I met my current partner through swinging. He's been part of it before and was wildly excited about me being with another guy. When confronted with it in reality he was absolutely devastated. Our relationship almost didn't survive it. While it's very common to come across essentially single guys who are happy to have other men involved with them and a good friend or low key girlfriend, it is rare in my experience to come across a man in a committed relationship who is OK with it. And men who enjoy it with good friends often openly admit they don't enjoy it if they do meet someone they have a deeper connection with. My theory is that their masculinity is just too fragile and the 'better' the man, the fewer refuges their masculinity has nowadays. I think they are all secretly hoping to compare favourably and that you won't want anyone else after all.

In every successful scenario I have personally come across it is the WOMAN'S desires that drive swinging. Anything I have ever been involved with where a couple is motivated by a man's desire or fantasy has bombed one way or another. They just don't seem to be able to handle the possibility that they aren't the only great option. They don't feel special enough as a man if you can have great sex, right now with another man. Too used to being overvalued, perhaps?

I've seen my partner with a few other women. We have another woman or couple join us once every few months or so. Mostly I feel pride and desire when I watch him with other women and I enjoy it immensely - more than he does, I would say! I'm not jealous - that pleasure is mine any time I like. Her pleasure cannot diminish mine in quality or quantity and it's fun to share with a friend. It doesn't have increased value to me because it's exclusive (although if I did want that he absolutely would commit to it). It has increased value because it's shared. Like a good meal. It would be like being upset that he liked eating in a restaurant occasionally and feeling like he didn't value my cooking (which I pride myself on) enough not to.

Either I'm getting what I want out of relationship with him or I'm not. And as I don't want 100% of his time and energy, what he does with himself or anyone else when my needs ARE fully met is irrelevant. If I'm not happy with his input, it makes no difference to me if he's spending that time and energy wallpapering his Aunts living room, following Puddlemere United or banging his NDN. The point would be that he didn't prioritise me and my needs (not just sex) are going unmet. So he either re-priortises or I find myself a man who will. He has my complete blessing to sleep with whomever he wishes.

My boundaries are that he tells me about it in advance, I know roughly what's happening, and that each person is identifiable to me in some way. I enjoy hearing about it in the same way I enjoy hearing about anything that makes him happy. But I don't need to know in detail if he doesn't want to tell me. He rarely sees others alone, and has much more fun doing all the ground work for someone we see together (which I find a bit tedious). I think he enjoys the possibility more than the reality. I would never ask him to do it if he didn't independently want to.

His boundaries are that he wants to know if I meet other men. I occasionally have and while I know he doesn't like it, he doesn't treat me any differently. It's rare I do because he's the best lover or partner I've ever had, and he gives me everything I want in a man. We don't live together (because I don't want that) if that makes any difference. We both have teenage children and I don't want to blend families. We may in future, but I really like things the way they are. I know it isn't quite the same, but it perhaps gives a bit of insight. I'm happy to answer questions.

NattyKnitter116 · 23/01/2026 01:04

I would guess that if it’s out of the blue after this long, He’s either cheated already or wants to ‘soften’ you up to the idea of him sleeping with other men/women.

Probably wise to start using condoms if you’re not already and definitely get tested for STD’s. Even the nicest blokes can cheat. Men, on the whole, are very good at compartmentalisation.

I don’t think it’s just a fetish. The suddenness of it mixed with his previously expressed interest in men plus you having a quite experimental sex life suggests this is more than just a cuckhold fetish. If you carry on with him Decide what your boundaries are, get tested and use barrier protection. Good luck!

Picklelily99 · 23/01/2026 01:05

Has he just convinced himself that you can't possibly be satisfied with sex with him because of his ED? And that, obviously, the 'chivalrous' thing to do is to encourage you to have sex with other men? *he doesn't want to watch, he doesn't want to join in, he's apparently not getting anything out of this - . he could JUST be thinking he's being generous?

Changingtimes81 · 23/01/2026 01:12

ShareDare · 23/01/2026 00:42

Man here (sorry)

My wife an I have been in an Ethical Monogamous Relationship (ENM) for the past 3 years, and were together for 15 years before this.

We now have a dynamic which includes Hot Wifing (which it sounds like your partner is into) as well as more traditional swinging.

Given how long we had been together it took a lot of gentle probing / fantasy talk before we both came to the realisation we both had very compatible kinks. I suspect this is what your partner is doing, albeit in this case not reciprocated.

I genuinely get a lot of pleasure (compersion) from knowing my partner is enjoying herself, whether or not I’m there. Which is a suprisingly common trait in the lifestyle (but I appreciate not in every day life!).

So I fully understand your frustration for your partner not responding to your clear answer on this, but I do understand why we would potentially get pleasure out of this!

The difference is your both happy with an open relationship involving random no ties sex with others. The fact is the OP has no desire to participate in this alternative lifestyle. If her partner has feelings for her beyond sexual gratification he would forget about making his kink a reality & keep it within his fantasies. I fear if she goes down this path eventually having random sex with other men would lead to him asking her to participate in more extreme kinks when it all becomes a tad boring. What it could lead lead to is anyone's guess although in the vast majority of relationships I can't see it as a good or healthy idea.

onceorthrice · 23/01/2026 01:14

It's definitely a porn thing. And you say he's now into men and wants a threesome too? He's obviously become addicted to porn and wants to make it happen in real life. How incredibly off-putting.

Recompnow · 23/01/2026 01:17

He sounds really “freaky” which might be ok for some people but I’m quite “vanilla” and would hate what he appears to be into. It depends on how you feel really.

Personally I’d feel objectified and a bit degraded really and would be making plans to end things

mazma · 23/01/2026 01:21

If the man loved you so much, he would not suggest this. I don’t believe a man who loves you would suggest this

CookingFatCat · 23/01/2026 01:27

@Notgoingononlyfansyet such an honest helpful post, thank you.

Pete52 · 23/01/2026 01:27

Maybe he is waiting for you to let him do the same.

Swipe left for the next trending thread