Could you be celibate and happy in a long-term relationship?

[CiriGemini]

I was talking to a friend recently who has been married over 20 years. She is in her 50s. She said has not had sex for 10 years. Her DH seems not to mind and they have always seemed very happy together. I realise there is more than life than shagging, but I don't think I could go that long without DTD in a relationship. I could perhaps keep myself satisfied alone for a while but I would miss the cuddling and chatting afterwards, as much as the DTD part itself.

No, I definitely couldn't. I think I'd struggle to go 10 weeks TBH, let alone 10 years.

no

No,definitely not.

No.

No.

Yes.

No if there was no sex would rather live with a woman ( looks back fondly on uni days) as think women are more considerate & better living companions but I would miss the sex!

No. Way. Ever.

Absolutely not. No sex ever again?

No

Wiazrd that's an interesting thought as from the OP I was certainly thinking about a relationship where one party has simply no interest in sex.

But even if a partner is ill, there are usually still sexual activities that can be done. If they are seriously ill (as in your friend's case) and can't do anything sexual at all, then I think a frank chat about opening the marriage would be needed.

Yes I could and I do

If your partner was seriously ill though and could no longer enjoy sex, it's not just as simple as saying "oh see you at custody drop off I want to go find a shag".

Unless you are the type to leave someone as soon as things aren't roses.

If you were paraplegic and couldn't feel sex anymore would you be ok with your husband leaving? Or demanding you have sex anyway?

Living it. Not happily.

I love sex but our sex life is affected by my DH's health. It has never crossed my mind to leave him during a dry patch!
However, if we weren't having sex because he didn't want to, then that would be very difficult to deal with. I don't think I could do that long term.
Sex isn't everything in a marriage, but it is important.

No. If however it was due to illness I would deffinately stay.

Absolutely not. The only way celibacy works is if both of you are happy being celibate, not if just one of you doesn't want sex and is basically forcing that way of life on the other. I would have to end a relationship if it went that long with no intimacy.

Yes, in fact I'd consider having a relationship like this, of course they would need to feel the same way though, I couldn't be with someone who would rather have sex but was willing not to for me, because I'd feel terribly guilty.
I've no sex drive at all, probably due to medication but not an issue as I am single.

Yes I am in such a relationship and I have started to miss sex terribly and I now masturbate on a regular basis. My dh and I are best of friends but there is zero chemistry between us.

100% no. The thought really saddens me. It's not just the hot sex I'd miss, but the closeness. When me and dp are having sex more often, I honestly do feel closer to her. Each to their own obviously, but for me it's another expression of how much we love each other. Sorry if that's a bit soppy

I dunno. I've flat-shared with numerous men in the past, quite successfully. I'm 100% single & celibate, long-term, and expect to stay this way for various reasons. So, yeah, I probably could.

It would be a tiny bit frustrating if my libido paid one of its rare visits and my Mr was looking like a viable option. But the flatmates and I managed never to cross that line, so I guess it wouldn't be much different :)