My 5 years in a sexless relationship (and why I had to leave)

Discovering your dream partner is unwilling – or unable – to have sex can be devastating, as Alison* explains in this candid interview…

My first date with Robert* was a success from the start. We’d been chatting online for a while before deciding to meet in real life at my favourite Italian restaurant.

I already knew he was 47 – a year younger than me – and divorced with two daughters. In person, I liked him immediately, not least because he was tall and good-looking, and although he was a bit shy, I could tell he was interested in me too. Loosened up by two large glasses of red wine, I did most of the talking, telling him all about my recent move to the seaside. At the end of the evening I was thrilled when he said, “How about Saturday?” I’d tried dating since my long-term relationship ended three years before, but I’d had enough of men who vaguely promised, “I’ll call you,” and then didn’t.

We continued meeting and one

evening a few weeks later, I asked Robert to stay over. I was very attracted to him, so it was a little disappointing when his erection failed. I thought it might have been the two pints he’d sunk earlier. We tried again in the morning but he had the same problem. Realising it must be humiliating for him, I made light of it, and said that we were probably both just a bit out of practice.

I went to his place the following weekend and I thought I’d leave any sexual advances to him. We kissed and cuddled and fooled around a bit, but nothing more.

Things carried on like this for several weeks. I told myself that the last thing he needed was to feel under pressure, so I didn’t say anything.