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Why am I jealous of my wife's reading material?

81 replies

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 15:03

Why am I jealous that my wife reads smut? Well she watches tv shows based on smut books, reads them and has the audiobook app. I've read on the Internet that its escapism and that it should be a good thing, that her fantasies may work there way into our intimacy, but here's the kicker. We havent had intimacy in 4+ years. Only twice since our 6yr old was conceived. When I try to bring up my concerns, im told she doesnt want to talk about it. She tells me she has zero libido, or desire to have sex. So how can she love everything about sex apart from the actual act. At this point it must be me, i feel so deflated. All opinions welcome and any help appreciated.

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 19/10/2026 17:04

Hellohelga · 19/10/2026 16:08

Not another man on MN moaning about not getting enough sex???

👍

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 17:04

moderate · 19/10/2026 17:02

Im trying to understand her with this post
Im not here to ask advice on sex

Okay, but what if the key to understanding involves you receiving advice on sex with an open mind?

Im open to hear it.

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 19/10/2026 17:04

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 16:43

Im genuinely not trying to change her. Im trying to understand her with this post. Im not here to ask advice on sex, im asking for advice on what it all means. I dont want to lose her, sex or not, but am I holding her back?

Holding her back from what?

If you don't want to change her and you don't want to leave her then what is the problem?

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 19/10/2026 17:08

Why do the men on these threads always mention all the chores they're doing and how much they're earning?

HoppityBun · 19/10/2026 17:13

We havent had intimacy in 4+ years

You have answered your own question

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 17:18

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 19/10/2026 17:08

Why do the men on these threads always mention all the chores they're doing and how much they're earning?

Because someone asked

OP posts:
notspringingback · 19/10/2026 17:20

I think it's possible to watch / listen to erotica but not actually want have sex (with anyone). Once I had kids I felt inherently un-sexual but I still liked to have an orgasm. FWIW things are better now (youngest is 3) but I wouldn't say I feel anywhere near as sexual as I did pre-kids. I also now make an effort to feel and be more sexual. My OH never pressured me or complained at all but I prefer it when we have a sexual relationship too so I tried to get myself more into that headspace. If your wife doesn't want to discuss it and isn't inclined to try to improve things independently then you are in a tough spot I am afraid. Do you get the impression she is happy in the relationship aside from the lack of sex?

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 19/10/2026 17:20

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 17:18

Because someone asked

Nobody asked how much you earn in relation to your wife's salary.

moderate · 19/10/2026 17:21

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 17:04

Im open to hear it.

Okay. Has your sex life always been non-existent, or was it once good?

notspringingback · 19/10/2026 17:22

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 19/10/2026 17:20

Nobody asked how much you earn in relation to your wife's salary.

I don't think it's an irrelevance TBH - given the OP said his wife had a stressful job and he was doing much of the childcare, one might reasonably ask if his wife feels under too much pressure being the main earner (if that was the case) and that could be affecting her sex-drive.

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 17:23

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 19/10/2026 17:20

Nobody asked how much you earn in relation to your wife's salary.

I see that now. Apologies, I posted the same on reddit and when I mentioned her job, someone assumed her being the bread winner.

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 19/10/2026 17:27

I don't think it's an irrelevance TBH - given the OP said his wife had a stressful job and he was doing much of the childcare, one might reasonably ask if his wife feels under too much pressure being the main earner (if that was the case) and that could be affecting her sex-drive.

She's not the main earner, he is. According to him he's doing everything and getting nothing. So I don't see why he wants to stay with her.

PermanentTemporary · 19/10/2026 17:28

Four years with no sex is fairly clear communication.

What happened four years ago? Was it 3 x a week and then nothing, or did it start getting very infrequent long before that?

Do you think she prefers women? It’s certainly possible for sex to die within a relationship but for people involved still to have an active sexuality.

Id keep trying to talk about it, if you want the relationship to continue. Couples counselling?

HedgerowD · 19/10/2026 17:33

Couples counselling would be your best bet. I know you say you don't want to lose her but can you really go the rest of your life like this?

She isn't being honest with you at the moment. It could be any number of things. You may get better advice on the deadbedrooms subreddit. The misandry on here is ridiculous at times.

Disturbia81 · 19/10/2026 17:36

LifeTakeTwo · 19/10/2026 15:42

Sometimes is really just as simple as.. she doesn't fancy you. Has the ick.

It's unexplainable sometimes. But the thought of have sex with a certain someone just gives you the ick. The attraction is gone.

Doesn't matter what they look like, attraction can just die.

If that IS the case then its the begining of the end unless you agree to remain celibate or an open relationship of some sort. Once it's gone it's gone I it's attraction/the ick.

Sometimes it's really not about housework or resentment or anything deeper. Just not fancying your partner anymore. It happens.

The thing to take away from that if that's the reason is that its not your fault or something you've done. There will be someone else somewhere who wants to jump your bones. So it's not that you are not attractive, just that they don't find you attractive.

Hope you can get to the bottom of it.

This.
Most women do want and love sex. If they stop, it’s because the attraction is gone. But with a new man they would be swinging from the chandelier.

ImADogsDog · 19/10/2026 17:42

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 15:20

My wife works a high stress job that she loves, im the main care giver for our child. I do all the cooking, laundry, shopping and tidying etc. oh and im also the earner, roughly double her annual salary. Because of her job I also do the school run (25mins away from home) both ways. I do about 90% of the birthday party's. I tell her shes beautiful all the time

Edited

Well, there is something you aren't doing. She obviously doesn't fancy you anymore. Not sure if its the smutty - (Ooo Matron) books? Take her out on a date!!

YourWildAmberSloth · 19/10/2026 17:42

Hellohelga · 19/10/2026 16:08

Not another man on MN moaning about not getting enough sex???

No sex in 7 years, sounds like he has good reason to moan. @Soggyshoe Is there a backstory around the pregnancy or birth? I know someone who had a history of miscarraige so sex was off the table while she was pregnant, had a rough delivery so didn't want it after that and the longer time passed found it harder to reconnect with her husband. Unfortunately, she shut down, refused to address it or discuss it and in the end (9 years in their case) he walked away.

tripleginandtonic · 19/10/2026 17:46

If everything is as you say OP, she's taken you for a mug and the respect is lacking. Would she go to relationship counselling?

IDontCareWhatMyUsernameIs · 19/10/2026 17:50

ForTipsyFinch · 19/10/2026 15:24

Well, she clearly doesn’t want to have sex with you, who knows why this is? A variation of this is posted here weekly and I can’t help but feel there’s more appropriate avenues for it.

Why? I’ve read very similar threads from 3/4 women just today. It’s what the relationships board is for.

dh280125 · 19/10/2026 17:56

Soggyshoe · 19/10/2026 15:20

My wife works a high stress job that she loves, im the main care giver for our child. I do all the cooking, laundry, shopping and tidying etc. oh and im also the earner, roughly double her annual salary. Because of her job I also do the school run (25mins away from home) both ways. I do about 90% of the birthday party's. I tell her shes beautiful all the time

Edited

Go to couples therapy. It's so often the answer.

HouseBee · 19/10/2026 18:12

SilenceLaySteadily · 19/10/2026 16:44

Would you same the same to a woman whose husband refused to have sex for years, but consistently consumed porn / instagram sex content?

She has libido, just not for him.

I’m sorry but if I read erotica, I don’t orgasm.
I enjoy many things about it but it’s very different from where the main IS orgasm.

Erotica is just that. Fantasy, like another fantasy book but around sex/relationships/heart break & falling in love.

For me erotica is oretty separate from libido. I have enjoyed erotica with no libido, even not for self pleasure/masturbation

HouseBee · 19/10/2026 18:18

tripleginandtonic · 19/10/2026 17:46

If everything is as you say OP, she's taken you for a mug and the respect is lacking. Would she go to relationship counselling?

How can you say she has taken tge OP for a mug?
Do you have any idea on how he is around her?
Any idea of the backstory he isnt mentioning? Like pressuring her after the birth of their dd when she wasn’t ready.
Any idea on whether there is any emotional intimacy in their couple?
What sort of sex they both enjoy?

Saying ‘she is taking you fir a mug’ is a huge leap you simply can’t do

heekylel · 19/10/2026 18:20

It genuinely worries me how naive some people are.

WallaceinAnderland · 19/10/2026 18:24

She's not interested in sex with him, that is clear. And he says he doesn't want to change that.

So what I'm wondering is, what is the point of the thread?. It's all sounds very odd to me.

Livpool · 19/10/2026 18:26

pulpJarvis · 19/10/2026 16:10

Well it isn't enough sex. I'd be reconsidering the relationship to be honest.

Completely agree. I can’t imagine most couples in healthy relationships want zero sex or intimacy. It can be soul destroying being in a relationship with some who doesn’t want intimacy, or discuss it.