My partner blames a ‘lack of attraction’ for not wanting sex | Ask Philippa
It’s important that he knows how his actions and words are affecting you
The question My partner and I, both in our early 40s, have been together for 15 months, though this is our second time dating. We briefly dated four years ago, but he ended things via text, which has left me feeling anxious about the possibility of him leaving again. This relationship is important to us and we’ve moved in together while trying to start a family. However, since moving in, I’ve noticed changes in him. He sometimes seems distant and our sex life has diminished. He has struggled with maintaining an erection and attributed it to a “lack of attraction”, which was difficult for me to hear.
Given the stress of fertility treatments, I suspect his issues may be emotional or physical, yet he focuses on attraction. He has suggested we reconnect through non-sexual intimacy like holding hands, which I’m willing to try. I also proposed couples therapy, which he’s hesitant about. I feel uneasy, especially when I see him looking at women online. I worry the fertility struggles are causing tension, and I fear he might leave if we can’t conceive. Although I want to work on this, part of me feels like running away. I’d appreciate any insights or advice on how to navigate these feelings and strengthen our relationship.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
'My partner hid and secretly waved off my ship': LGBT veteran monument revealed
LGBT veterans forced out of the military look to the future, 25 years on from the ban being repealed.BBC News - 10h -
Callum Simpson: ‘Lily would want me to carry on … I know I made her proud through my boxing’
Before the defence of his British and Commonwealth belts, the 28-year-old reflects on the tragic death of his sister. “I’ve heard her voice in training sometimes,” Callum Simpson says quietly as he ...The Guardian - 1d -
My husband is unfaithful and wants an open relationship. Is it time for us to split? | Ask Annalisa Barbieri
We’ve been together a long time but now he says I either accept an open marriage or we get a divorce. The only way I cope is by turning to alcohol. We are gay men in our mid 40s, who have been ...The Guardian - 1d -
My Brother and Sister-in-Law No Longer Want to Put Me Up. I’m Hurt!
A reader feels stung by her brother and his wife’s cooling to an idea that they had once seemed open to: hosting her once a month when she commutes to a faraway office job.The New York Times - 3d -
My lover and I can’t stop having sex – and it’s disrupting our working lives
We have an insatiable desire for each other. But it’s stopping us developing the less sexual sides of our relationship. My partner and I, both of us women, have a lot of sex. It’s got to the ...The Guardian - 5d -
‘It feels like retaliation’: My sister is estranged from her daughter and wants to donate her inheritance. Is that weird?
“There is a new cultural trend of adult children becoming estranged from their parents.”MarketWatch - 6d -
Chris Hayes: I Want Your Attention. I Need Your Attention. Here Is How I Mastered My Own.
The problem we face is existential and spiritual, not situational.The New York Times - Jan. 3 -
‘I want to get my joy back’: Jimmy Butler signals he wants trade from Miami Heat
Heat star indicates he wants trade out of Miami Butler has scored nine points in consecutive games Jimmy Butler says he needs to find joy again on the basketball court. And when asked if he can ...The Guardian - Jan. 3 -
Jimmy Butler loudly signals he wants trade from Heat: 'I want to get my joy back'
Jimmy Butler isn't having fun anymore with the Heat.Yahoo Sports - Jan. 3
More from The Guardian
-
California fires live: 16 deaths confirmed as flames threaten UCLA campus and worsening winds predicted
Los Angeles county sheriff says death toll expected to rise, with firefighters racing to contain Palisades fire. Full report: international crews arrive to battle raging wildfires Politicians ...The Guardian - 26m -
Fears grow over censorship of secret Queen Elizabeth and Philip papers
Critics flag ‘worrying trend’ of keeping royal files under lock and key as thousands set for release to public. Researchers fear that thousands of government documents about the late queen and ...The Guardian - 18h -
Trump ‘beauty parade’ may favour populist right leaders over Starmer
Diplomats have advised the UK prime minister to have a face-saving response just in case he comes low down on the list at the inauguration. Donald Trump may invite populist rightwing leaders from ...The Guardian - 3h -
Friend of British hiker missing in Italy voices ‘acceptance’ as search continues
Joe Stone says authorities ‘trying everything’ to find Aziz Ziriat after body of Sam Harris discovered on Wednesday. A close friend of a British hiker who has been missing in the Dolomites since ...The Guardian - 17h -
Ukraine war briefing: Ukraine ‘captures two North Korean soldiers in Russia’
Pair being interrogated in Kyiv, with intelligence agency SBU saying one had fake Russian military ID; Russia claims control of village near Pokrovsk. What we know on day 1,054. See all our ...The Guardian - 5h
More in World
-
The rate of HMPV infections in northern China is declining, health official says
The rate of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China is declining, a health official said, amid some international concern over a potential pandemicABC News - 20m -
Australian Open 2025: Zverev in action, Sabalenka beats Stephens and more on day one – live
Updates from the first day of action at Melbourne Park Any thoughts? Share them with Daniel via email Talking of Andreeeva, here she is talking to Tumaini Carayol.. I can’t wait to see how ...The Guardian - 21m -
Comoros holds a parliamentary election boycotted by some opposition parties
Comoros is holding a parliamentary election that some opposition leaders have pledged to boycottABC News - 25m -
Pope Francis baptizes 21 babies in annual ceremony at the Sistine Chapel
Pope Francis has baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday ...ABC News - 26m -
California fires live: 16 deaths confirmed as flames threaten UCLA campus and worsening winds predicted
Los Angeles county sheriff says death toll expected to rise, with firefighters racing to contain Palisades fire. Full report: international crews arrive to battle raging wildfires Politicians ...The Guardian - 26m