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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:
fruitypancake · 03/03/2026 21:35

Get rid

Iaeve · 03/03/2026 21:35

I’d end up feeling as if I repulsed him, so no I wouldn’t go near a man like this.

Rednotdead · 03/03/2026 22:15

You are obviously not happy with this situation so it would be best to end it

MiloMinderbinder · 03/03/2026 22:23

Each to their own, as they say, but intimacy has to work for both partners - or not be important for either. There can be differences, of course, give and take, doing things to make it better for one’s partner, things that can be negotiated. But it has to work for both parties, it has to be comfortable (no such thing as “vanilla”: you want what you want) and it looks like it is not working for you. Re-classify this as “friendship WITHOUT benefits”?

Jetandianto · 03/03/2026 22:42

It’s a no brainer - dump

Sam9769 · 03/03/2026 22:44

DUMP PRONTO!

Beachtastic · 03/03/2026 22:51

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.

Er, OK.

OP, don't be daft, you just need to try some "better" sex.

Laurmolonlabe · 03/03/2026 23:47

If you like sex this man is not for you.
Also I would be sceptical about having ED but Viagra not helping- I'm not sure that's even possible- he is obviously not interested in standard avenues- really he should have told you about this before you ended up in bed together.
He is clearly very deeply repressed in some way, so I think the relationship is a non-starter really.

Sunshine1500 · 04/03/2026 00:01

Sti or hiv ?

ElizaJ74 · 04/03/2026 00:05

I could not be with someone who doesn't want to kiss, never mind the rest of it.
You'll end up feeling touch starved and resentful.
If I was in your shoes I'd cut my losses tbh

berightorbehappy · 04/03/2026 00:26

His preferred way of being sexual ( toys, kink, roleplay etc ) sounds tiresome and would give me the ick …aim for a man who likes a good romp then falls asleep holding you, knowing you’re satisfied . I know there are lots of different wants and needs around sex but you know in your heart you’re not compatible so don’t waste time people pleasing .

Lalgarh · 04/03/2026 01:01

Has he actually said why he doesn't even want to touch or kiss? If he's been like that for 20 years it's possibly STI or some sort of deep sexual trauma

WonkyMirror · 04/03/2026 01:52

I’m 58 and if I hadn’t had a decent shag in 18yrs I’d be climbing the fucking walls!!

duckfordinner · 04/03/2026 01:53

Too much hard work.. not worth it..

OtterlyAstounding · 04/03/2026 02:08

Having only read the OP, I am bewildered that you even need to ask.

Get rid. This is him at the beginning of a relationship, on his best behaviour, trying to reel you in - and he's still this weird and selfish regarding sex. Imagine what he'll be like in two years time? You'd either have to be mad, or have compatible kinks, to bother with him.

Monty27 · 04/03/2026 02:38

Hmmm @Mynotebookisfull throw this one back. Before it's beyond your wellbeing.

Teenthree · 04/03/2026 02:47

It really shouldn’t be this much hard work! Bin him!
Otherwise you’re at risk of “reframing” this nonsense so much that you’ll wake up one day gimped up/dressed as a pirate/being shouted at in German wondering what the fuck happened.

AnotherDayanotherNameChangeX · 04/03/2026 02:49

I just knew from the title he’d be a death grip wanker!
dump!! Life’s too short

everhopeful22 · 04/03/2026 05:29

AnAudacityofinlaws · 02/03/2026 13:28

He’s gay.

My thoughts exactly.

liveforsummer · 04/03/2026 06:03

I don’t think it’s a simple as saying he’s gay. If he just wasn’t in to sec then that might be different but all the kinks. I suspect a pp is right re the porn and the reason that’s not making him want regular sexual is that it’s probably quite niche/specific porn he’s landed at. Sorry but just no way! Imagine having to go along with all that role play not even getting touched for the rest of your days. Re the ED so when engaging in these kinks and touching himself, does nothing happen? Also you say he’s this wonderful man asked from this issue but I’d bet my bottom dollar if there is issues here, he’s hiding others elsewhere too. ATM you only know what he’s telling you. It’s all new but at the same time he’s showing you a very different story. I’d run!

Holdmeclosertinydancer2018 · 04/03/2026 06:27

Porn riddled loser, get rid.

Keepingthingsinteresting · 04/03/2026 06:28

Mynotebookisfull · 02/03/2026 16:43

Yes I guess I'm thinking about it from this perspective. If someone can't have 'normal' sex for whatever reason (psychological, medical, disability) they can deserve love and intimacy in other ways. I'm very good at being devil's advocate and looking at the bigger picture but perhaps with this one need to be immediately selfish. But this chap does have a lot of other great points.

Everything you say is fine @Mynotebookisfull but I think you are giving this guy too much credit. He’s out there trying to actively date but wants a sex life that is significantly different from the ‘norm’ so it’s very unfair of him not being up front or proactive about communicating that, in fact he doesn’t want to talk about it and sounds like you had to drag it out of him, so he was hoping you would just go along with it and didn’t care if you felt confused or upset ( at least enough to do anything about it before it happened) . Sex isn’t everything, but it is part of a relationship. In my opinion life is too short to be with someone who will put their wish to avoid an uncomfortable conversation above your feelings.

Oldmamabear · 04/03/2026 07:28

After 2 decades its unlikely you will change him and even if you managed to it will be hard work and leave you feeling like you have to force him to want you in that way. Most women want and need to feel desired sexually without any prompting or it defeats the object. Im old and ive had a lot of boyfriends. Some were great in and out of bed but I didn't love them, some I loved but they didn't love me some sex mattered a lot as that was best part of relationship and some it mattered less as it wasnt best part of relationship. I wasted a lot of time trying to make some of those relationships work when with hindsight they weren't right for me. Sounds like you are hoping menopause will change your sexual desire and make you a better fit for the relationship. It might but it might not so dont hold out when its not right for you. Let him go and find someone who would be happy with the situation. Have a cry and rant if it helps and move on. Keep looking for someone better suited. I gave up in end stopped looking then met the love of my life. It ain't all roses but we basically want the same things where it matters, love and desire each other and we muddle through any other issues. Don't compromise, set him free and hold out for what you will know is the right one when he arrives. Good luck to you.

SadTimesInFife · 04/03/2026 09:02

So far in Narnia he thinks he's straight

AdaDex · 04/03/2026 09:53

It's sad that OP is defending this situation so much. Of course he's unsuitable. I can't believe the question needs asking to be honest.