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No desire and my husband

(60 Posts)
MissLemonsLoveChild Thu 21-Jul-22 12:22:46

Hello all, I am seeking your advice and assistance as I really am not sure what to do. I don’t think I can speak to my friends about this given the nature of the matter.

I have been suffering from a bad menopause for some years now, and my sexual appetite has completely disappeared. It was healthy before then, but I feel no sense of arousal now, and don’t even feel that I am missing it, as there seems to be nothing there to miss.

I have just tuned 60, as has my husband. He is a good man, my best friend and we have a happy relationship. He is understanding and considerate with respect to the lack of sex between us, but we have had recent discussion where he has said that he is finding the situation increasingly difficult – I believe he thought that the sex hiatus would be temporary, but we are now both scared that it is permanent. HRT did help for a time, then I had to stop taking it. And there is nothing that now makes me feel aroused. I will occasionally “help him out”, but penetration is just not possible and neither of us finds the one way service really intimate or fulfilling.

He has suggested that we seek the advice and assistance of a sex therapist, but I am not convinced that would help now, as there seems to be no sexual baseline upon which to work.

Our marriage is good and solid and I love my husband deeply. I want to do what is best for both of us. We had a fairly adventurous, some might say, experimental sex life, so I can understand how the ending of it while we are not that old is challenging for him. So, I am beginning to wonder if I should suggest to him that I would be prepared for him to seek some form of sexual satisfaction elsewhere if he desires, providing there is no emotional attachment involved. I really don’t know how he would respond, but I want to keep up as close as we are. While he is not particularly demonstrative and is quite shy, I know that women do find him attractive and compared to most men of his age he would be quite a catch.

Your ideas, perspectives and advice would be valued

Puzzled Sun 31-Jul-22 18:24:43

Like aonk, we both do things that the other enjoys more than the individual, if it brings pleasure to our partner.m
As we age, we all slow down, and don't do the things that we used to.
As a loving couple, we want to give our partners pleasure, not just having it for ourselves.
Remember that men are essentially visual, so let him see you in pretty undies. Let him help to take them off.
Let him see you in all your glory, as no doubt, you have in the past.
His having an attack of "Deserts Disease" may be enjoyable for both of you.
"Look but don't touch" is definitely the instruction here.
Rekindle some of the fun, different times and places .
Be experimental again!
Share time in the bath or shower.
PIV may no longer on the menu, but there is no reason why anything else cannot bring you both pleasure.
He may very well enjoy fondling you when you are lubricated.
You cannot be certain as to where things might lead
You both have hands and mouths so use them to pleasure each other.
The more pleasure that you can give each other, the more you are likely to want more.
Above all, tell each other what you enjoy, in detail, and then practice what you preach.
I hope that you reach a happy conclusion.

Puzzled Sun 31-Jul-22 18:28:28

CORRECTION
"look but don't touch" is definitely NOT the instruction here

For anyone unsure as to what "Deserts Disease" it is wandering palms

kircubbin2000 Sun 31-Jul-22 19:21:49

If you've gone off sex these tips will not be welcome!

icanhandthemback Sun 31-Jul-22 19:29:10

kircubbin2000

If you've gone off sex these tips will not be welcome!

I've gone off sex but tips are still welcome. Everybody is different.

Oldnproud Sun 31-Jul-22 20:39:52

If you have gone off sex AND it has become extremely painful, and creams/lubrication/ topical oestrogen etc., have not helped, then these tips will not be welcome.

Once you reach this stage, suggesting that you watch porn to 'get you in the mood' is about as useful as telling someone who has become disabled that they should watch the Olympics if they want to regain their mobility!

Mattsmum2 Sun 31-Jul-22 21:27:02

Have you seen Davina McCall’s documentary about the menopause? It could be lack of testosterone that makes your libido low. Unfortunately many GP’s will not entertain prescribing it to help.

Serendipity22 Sun 31-Jul-22 21:44:28

Well, I have read the post from MissLemon and cant understand why anyone would think its not genuine!

My view in it is, I totally understand you MissLemon, the menopause turns our world upside down in alllll manner of ways.

Personally for me, the thought of my husband seeking sexual satisfaction elsewhere, would remain just that, a thought, I would not open THAT can of worms I mean you have a lot of problems as it is, without adding to them and it certainly ( in my view ) add weight to the already heavy weight that is being carried.

Saying all that, I really do not know which road you should go down with this situation, but I'd certainly say not the uneven, dangerous road that will only lead to a mangled mess....

I wish you allll the very very best with this, its evident you want to deal with this by putting it out there for help.

All the best.

icanhandthemback Sun 31-Jul-22 22:22:01

Oldnproud

If you have gone off sex AND it has become extremely painful, and creams/lubrication/ topical oestrogen etc., have not helped, then these tips will not be welcome.

Once you reach this stage, suggesting that you watch porn to 'get you in the mood' is about as useful as telling someone who has become disabled that they should watch the Olympics if they want to regain their mobility!

But one day, somebody might come up with something that works. Where there's life, there's hope!

Iam64 Mon 01-Aug-22 07:23:54

Well said oldnproud. More to life and love etc