Journal Pioneer

Age is just a number

- Ellie Tesher Read Ellie Monday to Saturday. Email ellie@thestar.ca. Follow @ellieadvic­e.

I love my wife and always enjoy sex, but it was my biggest problem in our marriage.

She’s 65, I’m 75, working 20 to 35 hours a week.

Even when my wife was in her 30s, we had sex once a month. She’s still sexually appealing to me.

Later in our life, sex completely disappeare­d. When I confronted her or talked about it, she said that sex isn’t important to her, but I can find a sex therapist and make all the arrangemen­ts and she’ll come along.

I’ve consoled myself with porn, which of course isn’t the same. I’m frustrated. I thought it was our problem, not mine. Is she right?

Shall I find a sex therapist or talk to my doctor who’s a young lady in her 20s?

– Still Frustrated at 75

It’s never too late to seek a better understand­ing of a long-term difference between you and your wife.

You’ve stayed together, which means that the love and companions­hip between you was/are the binding factors. Since your wife opened the door to investigat­ing further, it’s somewhat surprising that you haven’t done so in the past.

A specialist in sexual therapy may be able to illuminate what caused your wife’s disinteres­t in sex, whether it was low libido, or physical discomfort, or some other reason related to her upbringing, etc.

She may or may not still be willing to explore this.

You can both still have sexual relations at your ages, if health reasons don’t interfere. You can certainly still experience sexual intimacy of stroking, and pleasuring.

So why not explore your potential with a sex therapist’s advice? And if either of you feel you should check it out with your doctor, do so.

FEEDBACK

Regarding the woman concerned about her boyfriend’s overindulg­ence of his grown daughter (October 26): Reader: “This woman doesn’t bear any responsibi­lity to raise his daughter who is now an adult, and the money belongs to her boyfriend to do with as he pleases. “HOWEVER, if they decide to move in together or get married, she should get a good lawyer who will negotiate a fair cohabitati­on or prenuptial agreement. “Otherwise, this daughter might become resentful over the perception that “Uncomforta­ble” is somehow taking money that belongs to her (no matter how incorrect that is).

“If things are clearly spelled out ahead of time and negotiated fairly, any complaints from the daughter will be without merit.”

Ellie: An added approach is for the wealthy parent to create a trust fund for the daughter’s use and let her know about it at the same time as he agrees to a cohabitati­on or prenuptial agreement that is equitable to his partner.

TIP OF THE DAY

A couple’s difference­s over sexual desire can still be explored at any age.

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