Ottawa Citizen

Hubby’s low libido taking toll on wife

- ELLIE TESHER Advice Read Ellie Monday to Saturday. Email ellie@thestar.ca. Follow @ellieadvic­e.

Q I’ve been married for 18 months after dating for over a year. My husband is in his late 50s. I’m in my early 50s.

Over the past year he’s been declining in our sex life to about twice a month. He’s told me recently that he has absolutely no sex drive or desire anymore.

He still constantly says how pretty I am but he won’t touch me. I ask, and he mostly says no.

When it does happen it’s always the same position and absolutely awful.

I love my husband. He’s admitted that before he met me, he had been with many other women and was very sexually active.

I feel like a fat, ugly duckling who cannot spark my husband to levels of desire.

I’ve suggested seeing doctors or a therapist but he just refuses.

Meantime, my self-esteem is in the toilet and I fear my marriage won’t last. He’s adamantly insisted there’s no one else and I believe him.

I cannot imagine the rest of my life spent like this.

Should I End It?

A Before making that decision, you need to understand what’s really going on.

And he needs to know that if nothing changes, he’s on his own.

Ask him to be honest about why he won’t see a doctor or therapist … what’s he afraid of ?

Explain that his lack of libido may have to do with a health problem he’s ignoring and letting get worse.

So he needs answers for his sake, not just yours.

Be clear that his rejection is damaging your self-image and making you feel you must leave him to regain confidence and another chance at happiness.

Remind him it will mean both of you going through the stresses of legally dividing assets, getting divorced, etc.

His responses will help you decide what to do.

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