Is it normal for my long term partner (10+ years) to want to marry as friends

The basic question:

Is is "normal" for my partner (34) to want to marry as "friends" as we never do (or have done) sex. We have been together about 10 years

She has admitted she didn’t want to "trap" me should i want sex, and assumed the problem would resolve itself however didn’t really know how it would (as she knew i would want sex).

She married young (19?) to get out of a country back to where she came from (UK), then wanted a child, mis-carried and says the last few times of sex she was "used" and just doing it because she expected it to happen.

We met (i helped her move out, stop drinking), we never did sex (i was also used for sex so neither of us questioned it).

However we have both now moved again together, we both love each other, however she just doesn’t like sex, doesnt do anything for her, is worried I would leave her over it.

I understand there will be issues mentally over the use /abuse 10+ years ago, but she doesn’t seem to want to get helpfully until everything is clear in her head about things and what she thinks

I have said I will not do sex unless the person i am doing it with wants to do it with me, this is what has sparked her thinking off about the reasons.

Would like some female input here about what the thought process in her head is and how can i help her back on to "normal" sex life enjoying sex, she’s very physically attractive i think (real curves, hour glass shape).... i really don’t know what to do as don’t want to pressure her as this seems what her Ex did with her.

She divorced (legally) many years ago so there are no ties, no kids involved, just her mental attitude about it.

Input would be nice :)

Many Thanks
:)

Is It Normal?
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Comments ( 15 ) Sort: best | oldest
  • UPDATE:
    Thanks for the input..

    ASEXUAL:
    I have read about this, however i know in the past she has done sex, she has climaxed, she also says she "does" want sex, however this does seem to be an issue with the past rather than not wanting sex at all.

    I don’t think this is ASexual, this is clearly a mind problem..... It’s a catch 22, her mind will be better with Pro help, however she won’t see a pro...

    Ive been thinking of seeing a pro myself in the hopes she sees i am serous about this and does it herself... :(

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  • UPDATE:
    Thanks for all the comments, i know she needs help, the quesiton is what do i do to "help" her realise she needs help? She doesnt seem to think she needs any input from anyone, wants to deal with it herself....

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  • the mis-carriage was well over 10 years ago (maybe 12 or so), although i assume SHE has to agree to it, which so far i have suggested help and she doesnt seem to want it... this is my worry, how long do i give it before i give up, what do i do to help?

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  • well i had a miscarriage so i understand her fear of having children but i got help and my husband and i are going to be trying again soon. take her to her GP and get them to recommend a psychologist, NOT a psychiatrist. like i said before, either way she really needs to deal with her past and find a way to move on from it. to live with those thoughts everyday is not a good way to live.

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  • UPDATE:

    we sleep in the same bed, however she doesnt want kids (although that was one thing she really wanted until she mis-carried which maybe where some of the problem is).

    However i am honest, i dont want kids, she says she doesnt now as well, although there is safe sex, which is what i want to share with HER....

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  • Is it possible that she identifies herself as asexual? Google it. A small percentage of people have no sex drive and are content with that. However, they clearly need to marry each other, if they choose to marry. Don't "fix" her if she's happy the way she is. Either take her as-is, or move on to someone who will have sex with you.

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  • the best way you can help her get help is by communicating with her, being honest about your feelings and letting her know that regardless of what the outcome is, you're willing to make the relationship last. She says she needs to clear her head, which is completely understandable. I think you should explain to her that seeking the assistance of a professional can help her do that - help her sort through and deal with her past. i think its important that you tell her that you want to take the relationship in a sexual direction, she should know that you feel this way. but also let her know that you love her regardless and the not having a sexual relationship, and you are patience enough to allow her to work through this and even more you will be there for her and help her work through this, no matter how long it takes. she needs assurance that you won't get frustrated or impatient and stray towards someone else. I can only imagine what she's going through. I will probably be a long difficult road, but let her know you're willing to walk it with her all the way to the end.

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  • are you able to get a doctor to come to your house and talk to her? if she is in denial then there isnt much of a chance she will see a doctor willingly. or you could tell her that you wont marry her unless she gets help.

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  • it won't work 50% of any relationship is sex

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  • She needs teraphy.Help her dont live alone

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  • not normal to NOT have sex in a relationship(unless your a 15 yr old kid)
    but neither of you are kids. she needs help to deal with her issues.
    i have gone through abuse from my x husband, and i have a daughter with my x. i also miscarried twice before i got pregnant. we tried and tried over and over. she needs to get over herself and the things that happened to her. she needs to realize that was the past and she needs to move on with her life and doesn't she want to be happy again?
    why ponder on something that happened 10 yrs ago(or so long ago) and continue to be depressed about it?you know what i mean?
    i understand the part where she does not want to have sex, because that i show i currently feel because my x also cheated on me the entire time we were married. so it will be a long time for me-because all this in my life that occurred is recent like from this year. but her shat is from 10 yrs ago. thats a bit too much and not normal for her to have moved on with her life and herself. i know as a woman for me, it may take me up to 1 yr till i find a decent guy to hook up with or date again.
    but 10 yrs is fkn ridiculous and NOT NORMAL SHE NEEDS HELP!!!

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    • the last paragraph first sentence typo at because that i show-i meant to put because of how i currently feel

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  • i couldnt imagine a marriage without sex. why get married if you are only going to just be friends? do you sleep in the same bed? maybe you just love each other and your not actually in love? just a thought.
    do you want to have children one day? you kinda need to have sex to have children. you really need to think about what you want in your future. just because you love someone, that doesnt mean they are the one for you.
    i dont know her so i cant really say why she wont get help but she needs it. she obviously never had any good experiences with sex which is why she doesnt like it but sex is one of the most pleasurable things you can share with your partner.
    she really needs to get help. whether you stay with her or not and whether you have sex or not.

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  • Strange story :) Not normal. Sex is at must. If you don't have sex why you are should be together? Why are you keeping relations with her? There are no future for such relations.

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    • What about you loving each other? Sex is only part of a relationship. You can have kids together if you want without needing to have sex.

      Personally though, I doubt I would go for it.

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