No sex, just sleep

‘... but I have needs’

Love Letters

Q. My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. He has never been the sexual type. In fact, he is not very interested in sex at all. My issue is that it makes me feel ugly and completely unwanted.

What can I do to get his attention and let him know that if things don’t change I have to move on? I really don’t want to leave him, as I am very much in love with him and he says he is very much in love with me — but I have needs. Whenever we plan to make love, somehow he ends up falling asleep. All that does is make it worse because, in my eyes, if my spouse was lacking some sort of attention, I would be sure to give him that attention to avoid any unnecessary problems.

I don’t want to lose him! I should probably add that there is a 16-year gap in our ages. He is 16 years younger than I am. I am 50 and he is 34. I’m so hurt and confused. Please help.

HURT

A. There are many ways to be incompatible. One is sexually.

You love this man, but you miss sex enough to consider a breakup. That seems to be the answer — to leave. It’s an “almost right” partnership, but not designed to last forever.

Asking him to change his sex drive is like him asking you to change yours. You could try to want less sex, but it would feel unnatural. It already feels like part of you is muted. In his case, he’d be trying to make something happen that isn’t there. You said it best — he’s “not the type.”

I understand why you might jump to the conclusion that this is about the way you look, but that doesn’t seem to be it. It’s not as though there was some honeymoon period where he couldn’t keep his hands off you, and now it’s changed because he’s lost interest. Again, it was always this way.

You both deserve to be yourselves in a relationship. Any good connection takes compromise, but no one should be asking the other person to alter who they are — or how they feel about sex. End the romantic relationship as two people who care about each other but want a better match for themselves. Seek out people who want to do many things before falling asleep.

You might introduce some new problems at that point (dating can be difficult), but at least you’ll know anything is possible.

MEREDITH

READERS RESPOND:

Sexual compatibility is crucial and you don’t have it. You’ve known his style for years, so why did you think it would change? I understand the tendency to feel hurt, but this isn’t about you. You’ve said he isn’t very sexual. And this isn’t confusing — some people don’t like having sex. You do; go find someone who does.

SETTINGTHEWORLDONFIRE

“If my spouse was lacking some sort of attention, I would be sure to give him that attention to avoid any unnecessary problems.” That is honestly such a depressing perspective. Just do it to keep the peace?

BONECOLD

I would move on, it’s been three years of this. It is who he is, it’s not going to change.

SOMEWHEREINMA

There are a variety of possibilities for his lack of interest, and I’m in no position to guess, but it doesn’t matter. It is what it is.

JIM501

You used the word “spouse,” but luckily you guys are not married. So a breakup will be easier in practical ways. But if you think about him as if he is your spouse, you will have a harder time leaving him emotionally.

LITTLEPENGUIN456

Spontaneity was not an issue at 34. Today, I make a reservation.

VALENTINO---

You can try talking to him, but it’s unlikely this will change. You need to decide: If you truly can’t live like this, you are going to have to make a tough choice. One thing you should definitely not do, though, is continue to waste your time if you are unhappy

MAJORISSUES

Send your own relationship and dating questions to [e-mail] or fill out this form. Catch new episodes of Meredith Goldstein’s “Love Letters” podcast at loveletters.show or wherever you listen to podcasts. Column and comments are edited and reprinted from boston.com/loveletters.