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New Partner/Old Partner

(56 Posts)
Whatthehellhappened Thu 04-May-17 13:46:21

I apologise in advance for the content of this post but I really need some input and have no-one else I can turn to for such sensitive advice.

About 3 months ago, after lots of dancing around each other, my ex-husband and I decided to give it another go. We were together for 14 years and have been divorced for 13. It has been weird starting a new relationship with someone I know so well but it has made it easier in some respects. But... when we were married, he was always up for sex, and now he's not. He says he loves me (that he never stopped loving me); he says he fancies me (even though I'm heavier than I used to be but then, so is he). He isn't as demonstrative as he used to be and he has admitted that the reason for this is that he thinks it will lead to sex. His issue, he says, is that his sex drive has diminished through lack of use.

I'm not convinced that is the reason - when we used to be in bed he was already 'ready' if you know what I mean. Now, never - and it takes quite a lot of work to get him that way. He says it's because he's old - he's 53! I'm worried that there's a health reason behind it but he refuses to accept that. I don't want to make him anxious about this because I know that will make things worse but I'm worried. Any ideas??

radicalnan Fri 05-May-17 10:13:22

While sex is a big thing in relationsips, especially new ones, even I suppose if they are recycled, many men do have reasons for not being able to perform........and sometimes when people have been together for ages it does just wither on the vine......doesn't stop people loving each other.

If the lack of sex was due to an illness or accident how would you feel about him then?

Very easy to suppose that there is someone else out there and all that,....... but equally possible 'better the devil you know'. If he is only 53 he may recover his libido if that is the issue ......only you can tell if what you have is worth what is lacking, not sure that you could just swap him for someone who performs better who you love love and feel safe with, if you have real feelings for him they won't just disappear.

Whatthehellhappened Fri 05-May-17 09:49:15

Thank you for all for taking the time to respond - I have to admit that I'm pissed at you stillalive for making such huge assumptions. Thanks Welshwife, you seem to have got it. You have all raised lots of questions which I will seriously think about and act upon.

BlueBelle Fri 05-May-17 07:04:39

My own first thoughts were a bit similar to SAAK has he come back for the familiarity and the comfort as he gets older and perhaps less of a stud
A few questions to try and get the bigger picture
You were married 14 years and divorced 13 ...a divorced doesn't happen overnight so the marriage must have been in trouble well before the 14 years
You don't say why you broke up, you obviously still love him you say he's always loved you so something catastrophic must have made you divorce
Do you know what's been going on in his life in the 13 years you ve been apart I think that's quite important Has he been in other relationships ? Have you? Have you been in touch over this period have you been hankering after him how did you get back together I think there is so much missing in your first post that it's really hard to help you..... if he truely believes he's not up for sex because of lack of it you'd think if he trusts and loves you he'd want to try to practice

My own take is to be very very careful and cautious about going back to something especially if that something caused you pain the first time it's rarely the utopia you are wishing for but I hope it will be for you

Anya Fri 05-May-17 06:50:25

I'd read mumofmadboys post carefully again.

Impotence is very demasculising for men, and they are very sensitive about their inability to perform. Does he have medication for high blood pressure? This can have such side effects.

I'd be more wary about restarting a relationship where you get your 'head bitten off' for trying to talk to someone than about his actual lack of interest in sex.

It might be wiser not to have him as a live-in companion but just as a good friend.

kittylester Fri 05-May-17 06:21:25

phoenix, I spotted that but didn't mention it for fear of lowering the tone! grin

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 22:19:05

I feel for you letting this man back into your life. More grief again though OP? What do you think OP, are you happy?

The definition of madness is repeating the same cycle expecting a different outcome.

Welshwife Thu 04-May-17 22:13:21

I see that she is worried and would like to get to the bottom of it all.

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 21:47:51

The Op is stating a huge problem after 3 months of getting back together.

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 21:46:43

Doesn't sound like it here though Welshwife does it. My friend kicked her long term partner out after 15 years, they got back together after 3 apart and they're great together again. My friend is not on a website stating a huge problem.

Welshwife Thu 04-May-17 21:38:02

Sometimes the becoming an Ex was a mistake! I have a nephew and his wife who divorced and a few years later remarried and remained so for at the latest count over 30 years and I also know another couple who did the same.

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 21:16:03

An ex is an ex for a reason.

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 21:13:53

A doormat is not one of them though huh or is it?

Welshwife Thu 04-May-17 21:12:48

There are other things in life SAAK and love has many forms and changes for lots of people over the years.

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 21:02:56

Even if that's the case a man that comes home due to not being able to perform isn't one I'd want.

Welshwife Thu 04-May-17 21:00:55

Whatever he says I would still think the prostate should be the first thing to have looked at - a simple blood test will give a good idea if anything is not right. Our surgery gave the test to men over 50 as a matter of course every so often.

norose4 Thu 04-May-17 20:55:31

Ohhhps Phoenix, yes I see what you mean ?

Jalima1108 Thu 04-May-17 20:37:36

53? That is not old

Are you sure he has just not managed to find anyone else and is looking towards retirement/old age and someone to look after him?

However, if you love him and are sure he loves you then you need to sort this out and ask him gently what the problem is because it does not seem to be the norm in the re-sparking of a relationship.

phoenix Thu 04-May-17 20:37:32

norose4 , loving your suggestion that the OP should "probe him a bit more" !!! gringrin

stillaliveandkicking Thu 04-May-17 20:26:39

Sorry OP but this is going to sound harsh.

I personally think he sees you as some sort of comfort rug. Has he been "burnt"/rejected in his last relationship? You're the sure thing. He doesn't fancy you, he just wants to lick his wounds.

mumofmadboys Thu 04-May-17 17:38:35

40% of forty year olds have problems with impotence. 50 % of fifty year olds and so on. Does he still have early morning erections? May need some medication to help. Suggest chat with GP. Men find it such a difficult area to seek help for . Good luck.

Whatthehellhappened Thu 04-May-17 15:29:53

aint that the truth jollyg?

jollyg Thu 04-May-17 15:28:05

I refer to my OH as an ostrich and have done so from the first year of marriage

.Half a century on and we are still together.

Men and truth are not happy bedfellows.

Whatthehellhappened Thu 04-May-17 15:13:02

Thanks norose, I appreciate it

norose4 Thu 04-May-17 15:09:43

{blush} I had two boys & had many an embarrassing moment making sure they took responsibility!!they still tease me now ! Good luck with your situation xx

Whatthehellhappened Thu 04-May-17 14:55:31

Kittylester, I think you're right. Norose, you did make me smile with your honest squeamishness smile - and yes, you're right, I do need to get him to be more truthful about this