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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 dump this man over sex or keep seeing him

298 replies

Mynotebookisfull · 02/03/2026 13:22

Sorry it's long but want to avoid obvious questions.

I've recently met and have been dating a man. I'm early 40s he's late 40s. He ticks a lot of my boxes and is clear about what he wants which makes a change from so many men I've met through the apps! He has lots of good qualities.

Now the sticking point - sex. We've slept together - in the same bed - and had some intimacy but no actual sex. I'm all for talking about issues early so we've had a conversation initiated by me.

Short story is he doesn't do penetrative or oral sex from what I can gather. He has some issues clearly but I don't know yet where it stems from. It doesn't sound like his last two relationships were sexual in the traditional sense and he prefers role play, toys, kink (spanking, dirty talk, leaning into role play dynamics) and self pleasure - basically wanking next to each other. He says he has ED and viagra doesn't help. He probably hasn't had PIV sex in nearly two decades.

When we've been together he's touched himself but not me sexually although he is cuddly and affectionate. Not a hand on a boob let alone between my legs. When we've been intimate we've kissed (but not much, he doesn't particularly enjoy snogging or initiate it). It feels a bit like we're having seperate sexual experiences next to each other rather than 'together' if that makes sense.

I like vanilla sex I suppose you would say and feel it's important for intimacy and my enjoyment. I love kissing and touch. I need that 'normal' sex to bond with someone and feel close before moving on to kinks and other stuff.

Can I really continue seeing a man who doesn't do penetrative or oral sex at all?
I know sex might not always be as important to me as I move through menopause - but now I'm peri and horny and I love sex.
Appreciate any views or things I haven't considered.
Should I keep talking to him about it? Should I see if he tries to do something different? We've only just had the conversation - he knows what I want. Do I give him a chance to deliver or at least try?

It's not a conversation he enjoys or finds easy... I suspect deep repressed issues and yes I have considered whether he's grossed out by women's genitals or is gay etc.
I don't want to waste my time or life or have to teach a man how to fuck, frankly.

For contrast the last few men I've dated I've had great sex but they've been crap in so many other ways.
This one is great in the ways they were rubbish and I'm conscious of just discarding an otherwise good man - there aren't many out there and I do want a relationship.

OP posts:
GreenFingeredClara · 03/03/2026 18:11

You suggest that he is perfect in other ways, but I think you've also revealed that he is not. He doesn't want to talk about it, to understand your feelings or to give you physical pleasure. He's not telling the whole truth, and whatever it is, it's unlikely to be pretty.

When you say 'other ways', it's not clear how you are otherwise compatible - similar education/income/location/political views/attractiveness/taste in movies?! These could speak to being friends, but it doesn't sound as though you make good lovers; even if he is happy with the situation, you are not. If one person is not happy in a relationship, it is not a good one, no matter how much the other person believes it is.

independentfriend · 03/03/2026 18:24

Whatever you do with this man, I'd suggest a bit of reframing of your own thinking. If you think of PIV + oral as 'normal' then you are by definition thinking of sex that two people with penises have and two people with vulvas have as 'abnormal'. That's aside from all the mixed gender couples who don't include PIV and/or oral in their repertoire of activities for whatever reason. There are better, wider definitions of sex.

Try a yes/maybe/no list of sexual/ kink activities with him and finding where you overlap. What do you both want to try together?

You may find there isn't enough of an overlap of interests for a sexual relationship to work. Or you may find there's enough common ground to try.

It also doesn't really matter why he doesn't want to do these things - men are entitled to choose which things they want to do sexually just as much as women and to have things they don't do without being subjected to ridicule.

ForNoisyCat · 03/03/2026 18:51

Mynotebookisfull · 02/03/2026 13:22

Sorry it's long but want to avoid obvious questions.

I've recently met and have been dating a man. I'm early 40s he's late 40s. He ticks a lot of my boxes and is clear about what he wants which makes a change from so many men I've met through the apps! He has lots of good qualities.

Now the sticking point - sex. We've slept together - in the same bed - and had some intimacy but no actual sex. I'm all for talking about issues early so we've had a conversation initiated by me.

Short story is he doesn't do penetrative or oral sex from what I can gather. He has some issues clearly but I don't know yet where it stems from. It doesn't sound like his last two relationships were sexual in the traditional sense and he prefers role play, toys, kink (spanking, dirty talk, leaning into role play dynamics) and self pleasure - basically wanking next to each other. He says he has ED and viagra doesn't help. He probably hasn't had PIV sex in nearly two decades.

When we've been together he's touched himself but not me sexually although he is cuddly and affectionate. Not a hand on a boob let alone between my legs. When we've been intimate we've kissed (but not much, he doesn't particularly enjoy snogging or initiate it). It feels a bit like we're having seperate sexual experiences next to each other rather than 'together' if that makes sense.

I like vanilla sex I suppose you would say and feel it's important for intimacy and my enjoyment. I love kissing and touch. I need that 'normal' sex to bond with someone and feel close before moving on to kinks and other stuff.

Can I really continue seeing a man who doesn't do penetrative or oral sex at all?
I know sex might not always be as important to me as I move through menopause - but now I'm peri and horny and I love sex.
Appreciate any views or things I haven't considered.
Should I keep talking to him about it? Should I see if he tries to do something different? We've only just had the conversation - he knows what I want. Do I give him a chance to deliver or at least try?

It's not a conversation he enjoys or finds easy... I suspect deep repressed issues and yes I have considered whether he's grossed out by women's genitals or is gay etc.
I don't want to waste my time or life or have to teach a man how to fuck, frankly.

For contrast the last few men I've dated I've had great sex but they've been crap in so many other ways.
This one is great in the ways they were rubbish and I'm conscious of just discarding an otherwise good man - there aren't many out there and I do want a relationship.

How does this play out long term? You need yiu h snd closeness snd sex - which is healthy snd normal- and he doesn’t. You’ll be frustrated, attracted to someone else snd have a fling, affair snd damage this relationship. Maybe better to end this one? I think he is selfish to not try to sort whatever issue is holding him
back.

SparklyLeader · 03/03/2026 19:15

"People are more than sex and relationships are MUCH more than sex. I think you know what I mean."

Yes, but you are posting about an unfulfilling sexual experience with him and not anything else. He is not going to get better. I think you know this.

It appears to me that what you really want to know is do other women have partnerships/marriages with men which are also sexually unfulfilling? And, how do they cope? More importantly, is the security he can offer, and the sacrifice you have to make to attain that security, livable year after year without the sex you need? You need to ask what you really want to know so you get the answers you need to make decisions.

Tuesdayschild50 · 03/03/2026 19:37

Big no.

Oblivionnnnn · 03/03/2026 19:45

I’m sorry, he wants to lie somewhere vaguely near you and have a wank?

I am honestly baffled as to what you’re asking. He doesn’t want what you want, end of story.

SaturdayFive · 03/03/2026 19:50

It sounds like he's sexually repulsed by you, so no I don't think you should put up with it. It doesn't sound very fulfilling at all.

DippingMyToeIn · 03/03/2026 19:58

Has he asked or shown interest in your desires/love language/needs? I think i could be willing to consider a romantic with someone if they ticked all the boxes, but i’m a tactile person and wouldn’t negotiate on intimacy and having my needs met too. I suppose the question is

  • can he /is he giving you what you need?
  • if not, is he into you enough to try and address it? Maybe this requires couples counselling?
The way it sounds is as if he’s told you what he likes but i haven’t gauged whether he’s been open to what you need from intimacy.
Additup · 03/03/2026 19:58

independentfriend · 03/03/2026 18:24

Whatever you do with this man, I'd suggest a bit of reframing of your own thinking. If you think of PIV + oral as 'normal' then you are by definition thinking of sex that two people with penises have and two people with vulvas have as 'abnormal'. That's aside from all the mixed gender couples who don't include PIV and/or oral in their repertoire of activities for whatever reason. There are better, wider definitions of sex.

Try a yes/maybe/no list of sexual/ kink activities with him and finding where you overlap. What do you both want to try together?

You may find there isn't enough of an overlap of interests for a sexual relationship to work. Or you may find there's enough common ground to try.

It also doesn't really matter why he doesn't want to do these things - men are entitled to choose which things they want to do sexually just as much as women and to have things they don't do without being subjected to ridicule.

Satire isn't dead 😂

Bedlingtonwarrior · 03/03/2026 20:04

He's not for you !!!!

Waggydoggy · 03/03/2026 20:04

TFImBackIn · 02/03/2026 13:27

No way would I stay with him. He doesn't kiss you, doesn't touch you... Move on quickly from this man.

BTW I reckon his ED will be due to heavy porn use.

This

TheDaysAreGettingLongerAtLast · 03/03/2026 20:21

Ditch him and move on.
He may have psychological issues and this is just one manifestation, he may be a porn addict or trans or he may be gay and looking for a beard.

Susan7654 · 03/03/2026 20:24

I think he is masking around you to portray himself as the "perfect" guy because he knows he has to try extra hard to have a chance with his limitations.

Ladymeade · 03/03/2026 20:26

This person sounds as though they have some deep issues that haven't been resolved.... I would move on tbh

TheDaysAreGettingLongerAtLast · 03/03/2026 20:29

independentfriend · 03/03/2026 18:24

Whatever you do with this man, I'd suggest a bit of reframing of your own thinking. If you think of PIV + oral as 'normal' then you are by definition thinking of sex that two people with penises have and two people with vulvas have as 'abnormal'. That's aside from all the mixed gender couples who don't include PIV and/or oral in their repertoire of activities for whatever reason. There are better, wider definitions of sex.

Try a yes/maybe/no list of sexual/ kink activities with him and finding where you overlap. What do you both want to try together?

You may find there isn't enough of an overlap of interests for a sexual relationship to work. Or you may find there's enough common ground to try.

It also doesn't really matter why he doesn't want to do these things - men are entitled to choose which things they want to do sexually just as much as women and to have things they don't do without being subjected to ridicule.

OP doesn't have to "reframe" anything.
She knows what she likes and what's normal for her.

It ain't normal for a heterosexual man to not want intercourse with a woman he's dating. That suggests something else is going on and he's not being open with her.

mathanxiety · 03/03/2026 20:42

I think your BF is gay.

TheDaysAreGettingLongerAtLast · 03/03/2026 20:42

mathanxiety · 03/03/2026 20:42

I think your BF is gay.

I think he could be an AGP.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 03/03/2026 20:51

Sounds horrible. Throw this one back.

Jinglejangle2525 · 03/03/2026 20:59

So basically he’s so entitled that he just expects you to conform to his sexual needs/ desires with no thought about yours? If you hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have. He sounds very selfish and not compatible with you. It all sounds very bizarre and I would have ended things ages ago! I would also guess he’s either gay or can’t have intimacy based on emotion, it has to be “porn” vibes.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 03/03/2026 21:02

I feel sorry for this man and he obviously has a aerious problem, and needs some kind of therapy or possibly medical treatment.

However, l woild wish him well and let him.go. He just has too many problems for a happy relationship with you

YourWildAmberSloth · 03/03/2026 21:08

OP, I find myself saying this a lot, but I'm going to say it again - When someone shows you who they are, believe them. Women do this all the time, they meet someone who clearly does not meet their needs, or who's values do not align with theirs and instead of running for the hills, we convince ourselves that we can change them or work through whatever is going on. He does not have sex - he's in his 40s, if he wanted to have penetrative sex or was even remotely interested in it, he would be doing it. Having another chat with him about it, is not going to suddenly make him want it. Unless you want a sexless relationship, walk away.

CapacityBrown · 03/03/2026 21:08

Throw him back and use the Burned Haystack method.

Bowies · 03/03/2026 21:15

It doesn’t seem like it can work - he’s 40
not 20 and his recent relationships have been like this. You are not sexually compatible.

Ownedbykitties · 03/03/2026 21:17

You already know your own answer. Sex is important to you "to bond" so this kind of side by side sex is never going to work for you and you will never feel that bond. I have experienced similar though to not to the extent of you with this guy. For those who say using sex toys to simulate PIV, it may work for a while, but not long term. This chap may be great in all other ways, but you're not looking for a good friend or housemate, are you? I'd say you need to move on unless you will be happy with a sexless relationship because that is what it will be.

Lambretta54 · 03/03/2026 21:26

This is over before it's began. I feel sure he must already know this. Move on, you're not here to resolve his issues and certainly don't put up with the sex side of things cos that's what's ok for him. You want to be desired, wanted, intimate, normal. Sadly, he's not the man you need 😔

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