Sexless Marriages

Really interesting thread. So many sad stories. Here's my two-penn'th with a little bit of hope.

I stayed in a sexless relationship "for the good of the children". However, I also stopped doing all the stuff I liked in order to be the good man. In brief, it became a joyless time except for the time spent with my children. Importantly, I became joyless because I was doing no hobbies I liked. Eventually, my mental health deteriorated but I dutifully held on so that my common-law-wife (CLW) and I could rekindle the fire once the children were older.

Instead she wanted a divorce/separation and I realised I had just become a person to help with the children. I moved out. Soon after I experienced a complete mental breakdown due to other tragedies occurring as well.

Pyschotherapy helped. My therapist showed me how my CLW had isolated and manipulated me. The therapist gave me the tools to reanalyse the situation I found myself in and also to resist the CLW's manipulation. Essentially, the CLW had used her withdrawal of sex as one way to control me and make life easy for herself. I should have realised that you only get so many rewards for being good.

After a year of therapy, the therapist encouraged me to use dating sites. At that time I wanted a proper, serious relationship. I was hesitant when dating at first but eventually found an amazing lover. She was 50, I was 49. But we lived 160 km apart and new found confidence had made me curious about other women. Eventually, I tried a hook-up app and, lo-and-behold, I got a phone call asking why I was on said app from my fantastic but upset lover. Obviously though, she also needed more than Friday to Monday every other week.

After much discussion, we agreed to open the relationship and we remain friends but 160 km is a big distance when there are so many wonderful people much closer. Four years on I have been in several relationships, tried fidelity, left an unbelievable-sex FWB relationship because the woman started to try to control my life like the CLW regarding what old friends I see or festivals I go to. I've had ONS's, wasted-time, been ghosted, stood-up, exploited and exploiting and learnt more about myself and people than I thought possible.

I am having the best sex I have ever had (male and female), partly due to experience and, I think, a wish to experiment amongst my lovers as age seems to have rid the best lovers of their inhibitions and hang-ups.

Elsewhere, I see my children almost daily and have far more influence on their lives now that I stand up for what I believe is best for them. However, none of my lovers has any more than a passing acquaintance with them as I try to keep the sex/romance/affair side of my life separate from them.

Since the separation from CLW, I have my own time and have broadened my interests. I have discovered I really don't want to fuck the same person for the rest of my life. That's because when I am with someone, I am with them completely in that time but I can't be that person 24/7 - it is exhausting. Also, I like the variety because different lovers produce different sensations, have different conversations and histories - satisfy different needs.

Life is good but not perfect. I do get emotionally involved with lovers, they do get involved with me and remaining friends isn't always easy. But taking the soaked side of the bed a lover has squirted on is far more preferable to nestling my head where tears have formed because my ex turned her back on me once again.

If you can and if expressing your sexual desire is important to you, divorce and live poorer but be emotionally fulfilled. I know that advice isn't easy if you value financial security or live in a place where people judge others far too readily. Plus, it is sometimes very mentally taxing to be on one's own.

Or do as a friend did and live apart in a trial separation and rediscover the person you used to be and the person your partner fell for.

Ultimately, I'm glad my CLW and I separated and I know my children are.
 
I always swore I’d never stay in an unhappy marriage for the kids (my parents tried it at one point and it failed miserably). Yet here I am doing just that. Our lives have become so isolated - an ‘outing’ has become a trip to the grocery store. I’m so desperately unhappy with the situation I find myself in. But leaving now will potentially make things catastrophically worse. And so I do the responsible mum thing and out myself last. I don’t know how much longer I can do this though
 
Really interesting thread. So many sad stories. Here's my two-penn'th with a little bit of hope.

I stayed in a sexless relationship "for the good of the children". However, I also stopped doing all the stuff I liked in order to be the good man. In brief, it became a joyless time except for the time spent with my children. Importantly, I became joyless because I was doing no hobbies I liked. Eventually, my mental health deteriorated but I dutifully held on so that my common-law-wife (CLW) and I could rekindle the fire once the children were older.

Instead she wanted a divorce/separation and I realised I had just become a person to help with the children. I moved out. Soon after I experienced a complete mental breakdown due to other tragedies occurring as well.

Pyschotherapy helped. My therapist showed me how my CLW had isolated and manipulated me. The therapist gave me the tools to reanalyse the situation I found myself in and also to resist the CLW's manipulation. Essentially, the CLW had used her withdrawal of sex as one way to control me and make life easy for herself. I should have realised that you only get so many rewards for being good.

After a year of therapy, the therapist encouraged me to use dating sites. At that time I wanted a proper, serious relationship. I was hesitant when dating at first but eventually found an amazing lover. She was 50, I was 49. But we lived 160 km apart and new found confidence had made me curious about other women. Eventually, I tried a hook-up app and, lo-and-behold, I got a phone call asking why I was on said app from my fantastic but upset lover. Obviously though, she also needed more than Friday to Monday every other week.

After much discussion, we agreed to open the relationship and we remain friends but 160 km is a big distance when there are so many wonderful people much closer. Four years on I have been in several relationships, tried fidelity, left an unbelievable-sex FWB relationship because the woman started to try to control my life like the CLW regarding what old friends I see or festivals I go to. I've had ONS's, wasted-time, been ghosted, stood-up, exploited and exploiting and learnt more about myself and people than I thought possible.

I am having the best sex I have ever had (male and female), partly due to experience and, I think, a wish to experiment amongst my lovers as age seems to have rid the best lovers of their inhibitions and hang-ups.

Elsewhere, I see my children almost daily and have far more influence on their lives now that I stand up for what I believe is best for them. However, none of my lovers has any more than a passing acquaintance with them as I try to keep the sex/romance/affair side of my life separate from them.

Since the separation from CLW, I have my own time and have broadened my interests. I have discovered I really don't want to fuck the same person for the rest of my life. That's because when I am with someone, I am with them completely in that time but I can't be that person 24/7 - it is exhausting. Also, I like the variety because different lovers produce different sensations, have different conversations and histories - satisfy different needs.

Life is good but not perfect. I do get emotionally involved with lovers, they do get involved with me and remaining friends isn't always easy. But taking the soaked side of the bed a lover has squirted on is far more preferable to nestling my head where tears have formed because my ex turned her back on me once again.

If you can and if expressing your sexual desire is important to you, divorce and live poorer but be emotionally fulfilled. I know that advice isn't easy if you value financial security or live in a place where people judge others far too readily. Plus, it is sometimes very mentally taxing to be on one's own.

Or do as a friend did and live apart in a trial separation and rediscover the person you used to be and the person your partner fell for.

Ultimately, I'm glad my CLW and I separated and I know my children are.

This. Thanks for articulating that so well ... it isn't always the easiest option, and it's definitely financially draining, but I'm pleased my ex and I broke up. I guess I was lucky that we did that before things became too bad, so we're still great friends, and I don't feel like I've lost him, but we couldn't stay married.
 
I always swore I’d never stay in an unhappy marriage for the kids (my parents tried it at one point and it failed miserably). Yet here I am doing just that. Our lives have become so isolated - an ‘outing’ has become a trip to the grocery store. I’m so desperately unhappy with the situation I find myself in. But leaving now will potentially make things catastrophically worse. And so I do the responsible mum thing and out myself last. I don’t know how much longer I can do this though

Not quite as unhappy as you, but know the feeling of putting self last. I put wife and daughter first, then me. Least with my schedule, I sometimes get house and time to myself. Hang in there kiddo . We here for ya
 
Loveless or Sexless?

I guess in retrospect, my situation isn’t as bad as others. While for the most part, my wife and I are roommates and haven’t had sex in - oh - maybe 5 years - there’s still love, some cuddling and affection, there just isn’t the intimacy of ripping off each other’s clothes and making mad, passionate love to each other.

Kim, Lissie_Lou, and Pearly - my situation isn’t great, but I’m not where you are. I wish you the best.
 
I’m in the same situation...lack of sex. Using vibrator. Only in 40’s and female. Hey men, how do we get men to jump our bones? Maybe I’m doing something wrong....
 
I’m in the same situation...lack of sex. Using vibrator. Only in 40’s and female. Hey men, how do we get men to jump our bones? Maybe I’m doing something wrong....

You got me, I can’t fathom a man not wanting sex... sexless is miserable...
 
I’m in the same situation...lack of sex. Using vibrator. Only in 40’s and female. Hey men, how do we get men to jump our bones? Maybe I’m doing something wrong....

Yea I can't understand it, unless your husband is secretly gay, not that there is anything wrong with that!
Must have been some attraction before you got married. When did he fade away?
 
I’m in the same situation...lack of sex. Using vibrator. Only in 40’s and female. Hey men, how do we get men to jump our bones? Maybe I’m doing something wrong....

Sorry - don’t understand either. I know that our relationship and my wife’s body has changed over time, but my desire for her has not. Wish I had better advice.

In those relationships that I had when unmarried, there are a few that still light the fires of my dreams even today. They were those relationships where what I did and my partner did - both in and out of bed - kept the other one wondering “what is next?” The teasing, the innuendo and the surprise - and all of that takes communication and a degree of work to maintain the relationship.

To be honest the best sexual relationship I ever had was with a woman who was anorgasmic - she couldn’t have an orgasm, no matter what she or we tried. But she was confident, liberated and had one of the most brilliant and dirty minds of anyone I’ve ever met. For me, she was “The One That Got Away”.
 
If you can and if expressing your sexual desire is important to you, divorce and live poorer but be emotionally fulfilled. I know that advice isn't easy if you value financial security or live in a place where people judge others far too readily. Plus, it is sometimes very mentally taxing to be on one's own.

This. Thanks for articulating that so well ... it isn't always the easiest option, and it's definitely financially draining, but I'm pleased my ex and I broke up. I guess I was lucky that we did that before things became too bad, so we're still great friends, and I don't feel like I've lost him, but we couldn't stay married.

Thank you. We also couldn't stay married.

In the end, we recognised there was fault on both sides and as we share lots of values, we have remained cordial on most issues. I think my ex and I lost each other four years before we finally split.

BTW. Kool Thing name. Girl in a Band is a great autobiography.
 
I guess in retrospect, my situation isn’t as bad as others. While for the most part, my wife and I are roommates and haven’t had sex in - oh - maybe 5 years - there’s still love, some cuddling and affection, there just isn’t the intimacy of ripping off each other’s clothes and making mad, passionate love to each other.

Kim, Lissie_Lou, and Pearly - my situation isn’t great, but I’m not where you are. I wish you the best.

Thanks.

Cuddling and affection is great.

I have made a couple of female friends who are just that. We can hold each other, go to gigs, joke but we don't turn each other on. Friendzoned. :)

Back to the ex. When things weren't good I was accused of not holding and cuddling enough. When I tried to hold and cuddle I was accused of trying to make her want sex when she wasn't in the mood.

Then I was told I should know what she wanted. I had no idea and I avoided the subject because I thought it upset her.

Basically, we had stopped communicating about intimacy. I don't make that mistake anymore.
 
I’m in the same situation...lack of sex. Using vibrator. Only in 40’s and female. Hey men, how do we get men to jump our bones? Maybe I’m doing something wrong....

You won't be doing anything wrong but practice makes perfect. ;-)

Try and find out what your lover would want what he has fantasies about... But sometimes it can be that some men are just like some women and just really aren't that into sex.
 
Well

I always swore I’d never stay in an unhappy marriage for the kids (my parents tried it at one point and it failed miserably). Yet here I am doing just that. Our lives have become so isolated - an ‘outing’ has become a trip to the grocery store. I’m so desperately unhappy with the situation I find myself in. But leaving now will potentially make things catastrophically worse. And so I do the responsible mum thing and out myself last. I don’t know how much longer I can do this though
You need to follow your heart.......you only have one life to live......just saying......but good luck in whatever you decide
 
You need to follow your heart.......you only have one life to live......just saying......but good luck in whatever you decide

I know. But without giving too much away we have a teenager with some severe issues, and we don’t want to put more pressure on them / upset the Apple cart while they are stable. Plan is to get that as stable as I can and then it’s my turn
 
Pm

I know. But without giving too much away we have a teenager with some severe issues, and we don’t want to put more pressure on them / upset the Apple cart while they are stable. Plan is to get that as stable as I can and then it’s my turn

Hit me up there if you like .......or on kik at same name as here for IM's.....
 
Can you take us through the evacuation proceedure, I'm worried about icebergs

To evacuate safely. Grab a partner, tie yourselves together at one wrist so as to not lose them. In case of falling overboard, guys lay on your backs while the lady straddles the shaft and paddles to safety. Guys kick feet to help steer the course.
 
I’m in the same situation...lack of sex. Using vibrator. Only in 40’s and female. Hey men, how do we get men to jump our bones? Maybe I’m doing something wrong....

I was there some time ago. The thing I learned is I can jump bones just as well! Men or women's bones as it were. Plus I jump what I want.

I have more true friends than ever and a much more satisfying sex life
 
I was there some time ago. The thing I learned is I can jump bones just as well! Men or women's bones as it were. Plus I jump what I want.

I have more true friends than ever and a much more satisfying sex life

Lots of teasing and caressing always works for me....:heart:
 
I was there some time ago. The thing I learned is I can jump bones just as well! Men or women's bones as it were. Plus I jump what I want.

I have more true friends than ever and a much more satisfying sex life
So I guess your jumping someone else’s bones besides your spouse. Many of us haven’t got to that place yet.
 
I HAD this issue...

Was in a sexless, loveless relationship for 12 years. I had so many sexy affairs, but I still wasn't happy. Towards the end she started catching up, and things were getting kinky, but it was too late and I was ready to divorce. Now I'm happily married to my second wife. I intend to keep this one forever. I'm on here because I still have fantasies and just love sharing experiences with people.
 
So I guess your jumping someone else’s bones besides your spouse. Many of us haven’t got to that place yet.

No. I did flirt more when I or we were out and about but I did not have sex outside our marriage. Early in our marriage he was a little experimental which I went along with reluctantly.

As for enticing others, I have found simply paying attention and being present and interested does wonders.
 
Hey everyone, thanks so much for sharing your stories, as I feel comforted knowing I'm not alone. I've had sex once in the last 3 years, so I'm classifying my marriage as sexless.

It's almost eerie to hear the similarities, as I feel my libido is stronger than ever, while my wife's is vacant. Tried talking many times, but change doesnt materialize. I try to be more physical and supportive/complimentary, but it just doesn't change. One random time a year ago, and she just seemed lukewarm about it...after two years of nothing.

Sorry to vent...just feel lost. Anytime a woman flirts with me its like a painful reminder that the rest of the world is having sex! Late 30s shouldn't be like this, right??
 
I am totally in a sexless marriage and have been pretty much for a few years! We’re out there but we are a bit like unicorns 😂

I am a woman in her 50’s with the sex drive of an 18 yr old boy, that’s not normal I’ve been told by female friends the same age and male friends. I should be settling down for my old age with my hormones dying a slow death, but hell no! 😁

Happy to help out...:D
 
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