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Relationships

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Should I stay after years of rejection, porn use and broken promises

13 replies

Gardenpotterer · 03/07/2026 18:58

Second marriage for us both. I had three gorgeous boys from my first unhappy marriage. He had no kids but was also also married before. Sex and connection was honestly incredibly amazing for first 17 years and started to decline towards age 40 then declined rapidly after that. I know he had a pretty negative view and often hidden opinion of 'aging' females. Despite many upsetting conversations and promises, our sex life never improved. Around 18 years ago, I first discovered a porn dvd in my work laptop when I had been away from home with some of the family. (How foolish to forget and leave it there?) His excuse was to see if he could become aroused again as impotency was what he complained of. I found this very upsetting as he was obviously no longer 'into' me but looking at other much younger females. Our sex life continued to decline and I was lucky if I had sex once in 3 months. When I tried various ways to make it happen, it would only end up with rejection and humiliation on my part when he was just not interested in it at all. Five years ago, I happened to find an old iPad and iPhone of mine (which he said he'd given to his brother) in his office drawer (WFH at the time) and when I asked for the new passwords, both were logged into porn sites as well as his own tablet. More upset, questions and assurances it would never happen again. One of the issues from the very start is that he would almost never come to bed at the same time as me preferring to watch tv and fall asleep in living room. I happened to get up one night around 0130 and he was watching porn.....anal orgy. The girls looked even younger than our 3 gorgeous daughter in laws around 18/20 years of age. I looked, said very little and walked back to bed. Next day when he went to work, I locked all the doors from the inside and told him to find alternative accommodation which he did. Three days later, I let him back with all the usual assurances of it'll never happen again bla bla bla. The family found out about it as I was in a terrible state when my youngest son came home to collect his little dog that I look after and I blurted it out. He's ruined the image of the looked up to step-father and he's also a papa to 4 grandsons. I feel nothing but shame and humiliation and fear it's changed the relationship he once had with my now grown up sons and no doubt the DIL's too. We did have counselling and again, despite the assurances he gave to the lady we met, he's made zero effort to even get physically close let alone anything resembling sex. I'm pretty sure he's de-sensitised to what a normal aging female is and can only get his kicks from porn and very young women. Am I an idiot to stay with this man? To the outside world, one would think we're absolutely fine but I'm deeply hurt inside forever.

OP posts:
PrincessMonty · 03/07/2026 19:01

Sorry to hear it, but it sounds like nothing will change and if you’re not wanting to live like this, then, yes, it’s time to split

OutOfApricots · 03/07/2026 19:03

"I feel nothing but shame and humiliation"

Why? You should be feeling anger and disgust at his continued behaviour.

Pearlstillsinging · 03/07/2026 19:03

Why would you want to stay in this marriage? None of the shame should be yours to bear, it's all his!

JoyousOpalLemur · 03/07/2026 19:12

Maybe he was trying to overcome the ED for you?

exhaustDAD · 03/07/2026 19:12

I am really sorry that you have to endure the way he treats you, @Gardenpotterer. I wouldn't call you an idiot. More like someone who desperately tries to save something she believed in. But there is one thing about relationships - They can't work, unless both people put in the work, you cannot make up for what he is not interested in adding. It is sad, but I don't think there is much there for you to cling onto. The best you can do for yourself is to exit this dysfunctional marriage. You have given enough opportunities for him to show you that he cares enough to do better.

Time to put yourself first, this man does not deserve your love and care, unfortunately. It is admirable that you did your best for so long, but I believe you know that he will not change, and if anything the way things are could only get worse with even more time wasted. Take care of yourself, good luck...

Gardenpotterer · 04/07/2026 18:17

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I guess I do know he'll never change and the ongoing feeling of distrust is always going to be there. He says I should focus more on the positives but I find that extremely hard. After all, he's not going out partying or anything just physically detached from me. We're both in our 60's now and the thought of going it alone seems like too much. He's ruined things for himself as I know the family no longer hold him in high regard as on the outside, he appears to be a loving attentive husband. It's just all so sad really. Thanks again everyone. Xx

OP posts:
Arimatata · 04/07/2026 18:19

Don’t stay, there’s a better life waiting for you. 💐

FannyCraddocksPantry · 04/07/2026 18:27

In my view porn is a symptom not the cause. He stopped being attracted to you a while ago and that is the real issue. If he really is making no effort and it's upsetting you then yes you should leave

mathanxiety · 04/07/2026 19:30

You probably have another thirty years ahead.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by divorcing. Peace of mind is priceless, and you'll feel like a new you every day when you're not reminded by his presence of rejection and humiliation.

You are at the age when many decide to downsize anyway. Downsize to separate quarters.

Userengage · 05/07/2026 16:59

You could have decades left, do you really want to waste them with this porn-riddled shite of a man?

We get one shot at life, just one shot.

outerspacepotato · 05/07/2026 17:34

Why would you throw even one more good year away after bad?

The years you spent with him are sunk cost, they're gone.

What do you get from a guy who watches what sounds like underage porn that you can get no where else?

Notgonnalieaboutthis · 05/07/2026 17:39

Seems a no brainer to me . Life’s not a dress rehearsal @Gardenpotterer

category12 · 05/07/2026 18:10

We're both in our 60's now and the thought of going it alone seems like too much.

Yes it would be hard and a big change.

On the other hand, is he the person you wish to share your retirement and old age with?

If either of you becomes infirm and needs care, do you see yourself do the caring with love and respect (or him doing the same for you)? Some hard life stuff lies ahead for all of us as we get older, and it's whether you want to do it with him.

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