I am new to this site and I joined thinking that maybe I could get some answers to my problem, which I am too embarrassed to discuss with anyone I know.

My boyfriend and I have been together for 4 years. When we first started dating, we had sex all the time (which is usually the case when you meet someone new).

About a year or so ago we got a dog... she was a 2 month old puppy when we adopted her so she required a lot of attention and care. When we would both get home at night, instead of cuddling on the couch and being intimate, we would dedicate all our time to this new member of the family.

Weeks turned into months and now it has been a little over a year and I can honestly say that within this time we have only had sex maybe 10 times. It started with the dog, but I feel that it has turned into something else.

When we HAVE had sex, it turns into something awkward, not romantic. I am to the point where I am almost dreading it because it now feels strange.

I really need some help or opinions on this. I love my boyfriend to death, and I know he loves me too, but I don't want to continue on this path.


Thanks...

Perhaps counseling is in order... your relationship was neglected by both of you. Perhaps you need the perspective of a third person to get your focus back where it needs to be.


I love dogs... I'm a dog person. But there is no dog that is so important that it should drain the life out of your relationship. Heck... its not a kid after all.

A study shows that the excitement of a new sexual relationship wans around year two of the relationship. Both of you have persevered two additional years, in a holding pattern, with awkward sex per your assessment. Let me make a few observations.

First of all, you are in a position of getting married or breaking up. Taking it to another level, marriage and improved sex, or moving on.

You love each other, but do you both want to make changes to take your relationship to carry it forward? Each of you are undecided or whatever.

You are comfortable with each other. Do you want this relationship for the rest of your life?

I think you both are at the crossroads. You need to talk frankly about your feelings and the future, and I think the help of a couples counsellor is needed so you keep focused, on topic and not accusatory so you don't deteriorate into rancor. In addition, discuss the feelings behind the sexual failure of the relationship.

Best wishes in 2008,

Thanks Choux...

I eventually want to get married to him, but not yet. I am only 24 and he is 26 so we have time for that.

Also, I do want to be with him for the rest of my life. I love him more then anyone and he is one of the best things that I have in my life.

I want to bring it up... but I'm scared of what the answer might be! :(

I just want to know if this is normal, I feel like all my couple friends are having sex 24/7!

Several things.

Its common, when in love, to feel like you want to love him forever. I've had several great loves in my life... and I could have married any of them (though most would have ended in disaster). Unfortunately, wanting something and having the right thing aren't always the same.

Man... am I a downer or what??

That said... all isn't lost.

Many relationships go through the struggle of "been there, done that"... sex is so exciting at first because it is so new with that person. You don't know how they look when making love. You don't know how they smell, how they taste, you don't know if they scream or if they claw at you. Its pretty powerful stuff.

After some time, you start to know. Doesn't mean its bad... just means the edge is taken off. I know what my lover likes. I know exactly what it takes to make her gasp, make her grab at me. I also know all the "unknowns"... meaning the mystery is gone somewhat.

So... how is it I'm ten years into a relationship that I think is still reasonably sexually active, especially with the challenges of a child in the house (cant exactly get naked by the fireplace for three hours after work)?

Its communication. And finding middle ground.

If there is one thing I've learned, as much as I'm a prototypical guy who doesn't want to discuss things over and over and over... it's that communication is key in several areas for a long term relationship.

You need to talk about sex, talk about money, talk about goals, talk about faith (or not), talk about what is right and talk about what is wrong.

Even the best relationships take work. I'm in a great marriage, but you'd better believe there are times that my word is all I have to keep me in it. That, and the fact I'm willing to try to work it out.

So... there are a lot of reasons libido falls off. It can be the been there done that thing I mentioned. It can be stress. It can be physical health. It can be laziness. I've been in a rut due to all of these.

So talk to him. Or try a different angle... my partner and I have read over a dozen books on sex and sensuality. Buy one... for ex, the latest one I read, after her, was "she comes first"... its about how a woman's body is generally wired and how a man can please her...

Its not perfect... but my partner read a little of it at barnes and noble and said, out loud, "this guy know how to go down on a girl"... to which I said "really? let me see that"...

Bought it on Amazon that night, and I can tell you, like most books I've read, it mentally got me thinking... made me wonder how I could push her over the edge, made me take more time going down on her, made me understand better how the female physically is innervated...

Point is, it was a way to think and talk and try out new things about sex.

Do some relationships hit a rut? Yes. Is sexual compatibility important? I think so.

All you can do is all you can do. Talk to him. Give him some places to start. After that... if he isn't attentive or willing to try, then its time to back off or accept it as it is. You don't get to stay and complain after that, but you don't have to suffer a sexless relationship if he isn't willing to satisfy you.

Thanks for your help kp2171...

Your answer was helpful... and very detailed... I'll have to look into the whole book thing... it sounds fun :)

You are the real sexpert here on this site... now I know who to go to when I'm in desperate need of some sexvice :)

The reason you have been able to keep your sex life strong for ten years is because you actually care about how to please a woman and not just yourself, like a lot of men.

And there's a number of ways to approach it. If you think hed take your giving him a book about sex as a slap in the face, get it for yourself...

If he asks what you are reading tell him it's a book about sex that can help a woman understand her body better... which it is... then read it and leave it around. If he picks it up, he is at least interested. If he doesn't... it doesn't mean he isn't interested outright... but maybe a book isn't the thing for him... so you'll need to find other avenues.

Even if that's the case, reading a few books about sex and sensuality can at least get you thinking about yourself and how you'd like him to engage the relationship... then you just need to work out how to get him involved.

Ok, all of the previous advice is great, but... let's try something a little different here. If you truly enjoy sex with your man, act like it! Don't let him be the one who has to broach the topic (or act) of sex! Take the bull by the horns, and do what you want with it. Everyone, even men, wants to feel wanted, so here's a suggestion: Next time he is just sitting around watching TV or cooking or whatever he may be doing, sit in his lap, and start caressing him with your tongue. Go from his ear, to his neck, to his nipple, and then to his pubic hairline. He will get aroused, but don't stop there. Take his penis in your mouth and make him not only feel wanted, but make him want you! When you are ready, put his fingers on your clitoris to get you going, and then ride him, ride him, ride him. Spontaneous actions are the key! He will get the picture, and one day do the same to you! Create that spark girl!

I think relationships change and you become more friends than lovers but its not the end of romance. Now its time to find out what really turns you on and him. Talk about sex don't just try to do it. Find out his fetish tell him yours instead of trying to regain romance work on filling desires for one another. This is a point in the relationship where you keep your best friend and make him your lover or you split. Work on talking about sex the newness is gone the romance has faded(for now) so talk now. And for the record I've been there and it sucks and yes its easier said than done. Its time to find common ground.

My b/f and I also live together we are going on 3 years and our sex life is almost non-existence.He says he has no existence and that he isl over weight but yet he does not try to do anything about it.I know he loves me and he tries to please me in everything thing else it been almost 2 months we don't have sex,and the last time we did it felt strange.I get upset and can be mean at times.. I love him but is it enough.this is not an answer to your question but knowing I'm not the only one helps