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Confused and hurting

The following is not something im proud of but its tearing me apart. Im confused, have a constant empty feeling inside and have no appetite.

I have been in a relationship for 6 years of which we are married just under a year. At the beginning of our relationship "honeymoon period", sex was often and great and we were very intimate. For the past few years however, it doesnt happen often at all (maybe once/twice a month) and I always end up feeling disappointed as its always the same unexciting routine and position, and she never initiates it. As a couple we show little affection, but not nearly as much as we used to, whilst friends/couples around us are much more so. We dont cuddle up in bed or kiss much in public. Things that I used to do such as kiss her on the neck, she now finds "ticklish" and doesnt like it. Apart from this we still get on great and have lots to talk about and can have a laugh, however im just finding there's something missing. The following hasnt helped and is why I have started having these thoughts

For about a year I have been emailing and chatting to another female at my work. It all started off very innocent. We get on so well, and it feels like how things were when i was younger and single (i know im not). Nothing has ever happened between us until recently after a night out with some mutual friends, we ended up sleeping together. Since then I cant stop thinking about her. It was like things were back when i first met my wife. Sex was exciting, we cuddled in bed and were affectionate. This is now tearing me up inside. I still love my wife. I dont want to throw everything away that we have worked so hard for, and to make matters more confusing, she has just told me she is pregnant. I am of course happy about this as we had planned it (most our recent sexual encounters have been for this sole purpose).

I know that what i feel for this other person isn't really love (although it feels like it), however I cant stop thinking about her and how it felt spending the night together.

My wife doesnt know about this

My wife will often ask me if im happy (even before what has just happened), and I cant bring myself to tell her Im not as happy as i used to be. I feel im being selfish if i start telling her that i find sex boring and i dont want to upset her. I've thought about bringing up the subject of sex therapy but I again think this would upset her. Now she is pregnant I feel things could get worse.

Has anyone else gone through similar?
Any advice welcome.
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replied January 17th, 2012
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Hi qwertyb0y and welcome to ehealth: You should feel lousy...Your wife didn't deserve this...Why didn't you tell her how your sex life was lacking?....This was an injustice to her...Now that she is pregnant, she may well show some signs of not being sexual....

As far as other people going through this, I would say yes...Many of us have...Your problem was not talking this over and finding the lust that you once knew...Some women get ill when they are pregnant and some get very sexual...Try giving her some erotic back rubs and awaken her...Believe me a man's hands can work wonders....Now about the other woman......

Isn't it interesting how a woman when she is trying to bed a man down will be the hottest piece of action that roams the earth?....The simple fact is that woman needs man...The fact that he is married means nothing...It is the sexual filling that they desire...I know, I am one of these creatures....

My best advice is to get your act together...If you need a sex therapist then see one...Only make sure it is a good one who knows her work...I say a "her" as I believe they are the best and easiest for a woman to talk to...Good luck and congratulations on being a Father...My best to you...Take care...

Caroline
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replied January 18th, 2012
Thanks for the advice Caroline.

The problem i have is i struggle to bring up stuff like this as im afraid to hurt her feelings. I feel I am the one being selfish if i start saying i find sex boring and not often enough. Things were like this before she got pregnant so now im only expecting it to get worse.

She has noticed ive been a bit distant the past few days and has asked if im ok. I've told her that I have been down recently and that im just not good at talking about it with her. I think we are going to have a talk about it tonight. Im just hoping it works out ok
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replied January 18th, 2012
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Hi again: Kink things up...Do the things you used to do...Cuddle with her...Go to bed naked...Let her know that you want to go back to your yesterdays and be lovers like you used to be..What concerns me is that you are/were/may have been finding an excuse to have this affair...

Have to tell you that you are playing a dangerous game having sex with this other woman...Not only is it wrong, but some women can get serious from afar...For you, just some simple chatting went a long way....Yet, I think that this has been on your mind from the start...

Reading your post has made me feel fortunate that my husband gutted it out when I was pregnant....I puked for three months straight...During that time he never had an affair on me, nor looked in the direction of another woman...And believe me, he was one hot, great looking jock....I do hope you find yourself...Take care...

Caroline
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replied January 19th, 2012
Its not the pregnancy which drove me to do what i did. If anything its because of the pregnancy i feel more at a lose as I feel things would be simplier if we werent expecting. less lives to ruin if anything did ever come to it

I had a chat with her last night and told her how i've not been happy with lack of intimacy. She said that she will try to improve, however she has said this before and although things improved, they slowly go back down. I just dont have it in me to suggest counselling as not sure how she would react
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