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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

Wife not intrested in sex

38 replies

DadwithPhD · 23/01/2026 23:24

My wife no longer is intrested in sex. We've been married 10 year and have one child but sex seams to be off the cards. I miss the intimacy, my wife spend her evening scrolling for hours on social media into the early hours. I'm happy with a couple of times a month but can't remember the last time we made love. Am I wrong to feel rejected and lonely. If I do suggest we have sex she normally says she's too tired and that if I want it that much I should go and see a prostitute. I don't want sex with a random stranger I want to make love to my wife. AIBU?

OP posts:
EchoedSilence · 25/01/2026 15:44

Hopelasts · 24/01/2026 22:31

@Okayfenokay. You do know this site is for both men and women? Trying to chase away men by making false statements about membership is wrong.
From AI - AI Overview

Mumsnet allows men to be members and contribute to the site, as it is not exclusively for mothers, although it is a predominantly female-dominated,. Men are free to join and participate in, particularly in discussions about parenting.
Key Points Regarding Men on Mumsnet:
Participation: Men are free to participate in discussions, though they are a minority.
Purpose: The site focuses on parenting and advice, which they consider a concept that goes beyond gender.
I noticed last week that there was a call out for advice on two occasions for a specific male poster. Lots of posters value a male perspective. However, that isn’t the point. The point is that the site is open to both men and women.

Even men who post about sex on Friday nights...

Bluemin · 25/01/2026 17:03

It seems like 90% of the men who post on here do so because they want more sex.

MightyGoldBear · 25/01/2026 17:13

Such a pressing issue for them yet they never come back.

DurinsBane · 25/01/2026 22:16

INeedAnotherName · 25/01/2026 15:27

If he truly wanted help he would have returned and expanded on a few points but he hasn't. We've had plenty of men who have come back after being "chased off" who really did want help, and they were given helpful pointers to understand their partner better which either improved their relationship or made them realise it wasn't worth saving. We have also had plenty of men trying to get inside knowledge to further abuse their wife with. Sometimes being a bit robust in the beginning can determine whether a man is really seeking help or seeking to get his jollies off. Women rarely (if ever?) post in the Relationship forum seeking to get their jollies off.

Women often post on here about their husbands not wanting sex!

GriseldaGrumpyPants · 26/01/2026 05:40

I’m in the same position as your wife.
you submitted little info, I can only share my stuff!
if she’s in her late 30’s-early 40’s…pre-menopause? Basically changes a woman’s personality against their will for lots of women; exhaustion, irritability, reduced ability to cope with irritating things! And of course….NO libido. There MUST be little kisses, hand holding, cooking nice meals, arranging a film and a pizza WITHOUT any sign of sex, more than there are the same nice things with occasional sex. Sex jokes, bottom slapping, grinding…puts her in fight or flight mode.
also, her Vagina might hurt! Less elastic and drier since estrogen bottomed out, you need to be gently and lubricated.
for me, highlighting the lack of sex and intimacy, makes it worse and makes it a thing.
Menopause or pre menopausal is like a sickness, you wouldn’t badger her if she was ill, you would be kind. Caring and attentive, think of it like a sickness and you’ll be on the right path!
also, don’t get angry with your kid as you’ll make her hate you, don’t chew with your mouth open, don’t be sweary Dave the football hooligan and stop moaning about life being tiring as it’s tiring for everyone! some of this might not be relevant for you…it’s all I got!

lottiegarbanzo · 26/01/2026 06:13

Again? Couldn’t you just read the answers to the last few threads on exactly the same topic?

INeedAnotherName · 26/01/2026 08:23

DurinsBane · 25/01/2026 22:16

Women often post on here about their husbands not wanting sex!

I don't get your point. Most women who do that generally come back and try to figure out their relationship/partner as a whole rather than just the sex angle. These men make one or two posts just about the sex. Totally different.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 26/01/2026 09:33

INeedAnotherName · 26/01/2026 08:23

I don't get your point. Most women who do that generally come back and try to figure out their relationship/partner as a whole rather than just the sex angle. These men make one or two posts just about the sex. Totally different.

Always, always just about sex.
And they never come back.
Hmm

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 26/01/2026 09:34

Maybe you're a shit shag, @DadwithPhD

All the lolz, as they say.

rainbowsparkle28 · 26/01/2026 09:36

TheLadyWithoutTheLamp · 23/01/2026 23:32

What do you do to help her feel that she's cherished, appreciated, loved, and looked after? What do you do to help her feel that you've got all the day to day chores covered for her?

My thoughts exactly, couldn’t have put it better myself 🙌

Imdunfer · 26/01/2026 09:42

DadwithPhD · 23/01/2026 23:24

My wife no longer is intrested in sex. We've been married 10 year and have one child but sex seams to be off the cards. I miss the intimacy, my wife spend her evening scrolling for hours on social media into the early hours. I'm happy with a couple of times a month but can't remember the last time we made love. Am I wrong to feel rejected and lonely. If I do suggest we have sex she normally says she's too tired and that if I want it that much I should go and see a prostitute. I don't want sex with a random stranger I want to make love to my wife. AIBU?

if I want it that much I should go and see a prostitute

If this is truly how she feels then your marriage is probably dead in the water.

You might have half a hope of saving it of you go for joint counselling.

jasflowers · 26/01/2026 10:01

INeedAnotherName · 26/01/2026 08:23

I don't get your point. Most women who do that generally come back and try to figure out their relationship/partner as a whole rather than just the sex angle. These men make one or two posts just about the sex. Totally different.

Is that because within the first few posts, they'll get told to "do one" as MN is for women etc?

I went off sex with my ex partner, i look back on it now and realise i was as much to blame as he was, maybe more so, it wouldn't have mattered what he'd done or not, we should have split far sooner.

There is zero hope if she thinks the answer is for you to see prostitutes.

As they say "Once the flame goes out, it ain't coming back"

INeedAnotherName · 26/01/2026 21:25

We are obviously reading a different thread. The first few posts were asking for more info. But he's not been back anyway so I'm out too.

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