Poly-thinking girl here :)

kittyb

New member
Hi there :)

I've been reading on this site for a little while, and decided to post just to introduce myself. I'm 30 years old, and about to celebrate 5 years with my boyfriend. I've been thinking for about a year now that I might be poly, but I haven't acted on it at all or brought it up with the b/f yet.

I'll probably talk to him about it soon... although if he's not comfortable with it I may just have to suck it up. I love him very much and except for sex we have a pretty awesome relationship. I have a fairly high libido, and he recently, finally, explained to me that he doesn't enjoy sex. After we talked about why, I went a-Googling and found several pages describing ejaculatory anhedonia, and I told him about it. He was astonished that there was actually a name for the condition and that he wasn't the only one. Long story short, he basically doesn't experience either a sexual build-up or an orgasm to any noticable degree, although he has no problem with the act, physically. But for him, there's no payout, except to please me, so lovemaking is kind of a chore for him. For the last 3 years we've had sex on average once a month... If I had my 'druthers it'd be 3 times a week.

But anyway, I don't think it's just about the sex, either. I like to spend time with my partner (partners? if I have em?) and although we enjoy the time we spend together he's more of a hermit and loner. I've found this to be an issue in every prior relationship that I've had as well, wanting to spend more time with my partner, while they would prefer "alone" time. I've gotten much better at giving the needed "alone" and "guy" time, but at the same time I feel lonely and unfulfilled. I have a variety of hobbies and spend a lot of time on my own, working, or cleaning/taking care of our pets, so it's not that I cling to him to the exclusion of all else... I simply feel like I need more love.

I understand that poly is not a solution to a bad relationship, but other than our differing emotional and sexual needs, we do in fact have a great relationship. I've brought up the topic a few times and in general he's very accepting of the idea. I have no idea what he'll think of it, specifically as regards us, but I'm going to proceed carefully, openly, and with love. He had a past long-distance relationship where his ex cheated on him, and I absolutely don't want him to feel like that.

I don't want to replace him, and I want to build a life with him, spend time with him, make love with him, have kids together, all that jazz. He's my sweetheart, my companion in nerdiness, goofiness, gothiness, my buddy, my political debater, my ranter and raver about unfairness in the world, and it's a treat to wake up next to him day after day. Whatever we do in our relationship it will be done with openness, honesty, and mutual agreement, or it will not be done at all.

I simply want my life to be fulfilled and to love, physically, and emotionally, to the fullest extent that I need to be my happiest. Anyway, it's great to read on here and meet other people who feel the same way. If anyone would like to comment or add input or suggestions, feel free to do so :)

Thanks!
 
Welcome aboard. It sounds as if you're approaching this in a good way.
 
Welcome!

As far as suggestions, it seems like you're well on your way. My only concern is that your bf could potentially think that your reasoning behind wanting to explore the poly lifestyle is due to his medical problem. I'm sure you'll assure him that's not the case, but I know us men can be quite insecure. (I know I am at times!)

Good luck and keep us posted! :)
 
I have a fairly high libido, and he recently, finally, explained to me that he doesn't enjoy sex. After we talked about why, I went a-Googling and found several pages describing ejaculatory anhedonia, and I told him about it. He was astonished that there was actually a name for the condition and that he wasn't the only one. Long story short, he basically doesn't experience either a sexual build-up or an orgasm to any noticable degree, although he has no problem with the act, physically. But for him, there's no payout, except to please me, so lovemaking is kind of a chore for him.

Something completely unrelated to poly, but may be useful to you nonetheless: Look into Tantra. The main principle of tantra is that it's not about the build-up and the orgasm, which are just physical reactions. In Tantra, there's a focus on energy and feeling each other in a whole new way. You can even do it with your clothes on. Basically, tantra is not about sex, it's about energy. I don't know anything about anhedonia so the condition may persist into tantric practices, but maybe it won't, and could open some amazing doors in your relationship.

Check out the book "Urban Tantra" as a starting point.
 
Welcome!

I just joined the board today, too.

Welcome! (It feels good to be part of a welcoming community, even if I'm a noob)

I'm in a relationship that's ending because of our differing views on polyamory (she wants monogamy, I'm pretty sure that I can't be happy that way) so I'm just throwing you some good vibes and hoping that all goes well with this partner you obviously love so very much.

Best to you!
 
... except for sex
... at the same time I feel lonely and unfulfilled
Not to be a downer (I'd be great if polyamory filled all of your gaps), but... You know there are other fish in the sea, right?

I realize that on a poly board, poly may seem like a solution to a lot of things, but there's also the old-fashioned breakup to consider. Maybe you stay good friends so you can continue to share interests together.

In my experience, goals and interests (which are the good points of your relationship) tend to coalesce between two people over time anyway. So it seems like you might be happier in the long run with someone whose time and sex habits align with yours, even if he doesn't start out as your political debater.

Besides, if you want sex 3 times a week, you're going to be spending an awful lot of time with someone else. Not that that doesn't work for people, it's just no small thing you're undertaking here.
 
I'll check out tantra, Schrodinger. Thanks :)
Thanks for the input, groovy.

In any case, I've mentioned poly in a joking manner (i.e. I ask him if he'd like to get frisky, he says no, I jokingly say "I could get another boyfriend, then you wouldn't have to worry about it, *smirk*) just to kind of see where he stood even in a humorous way... He basically said "No way." So... /shrug

I don't know. I've been with him for 5 years. He's a great guy. I've had two other long-term relationships, and other than the lack of sex and his bouts of hermit-like behavior everything else is great. I do, in fact, love him very much.

If he had ED or another disorder that made him incapable, physically, of having sex, I wouldn't leave him. The fact that the anhedonia takes away his interest in sex is simply a different disorder. And the question that I ask myself, every so often, is, "Is this relationship awesome enough, does it make me happy enough, am I fulfilled, loved, and hopeful about the future, enough to stay?"

The answer, despite the detractors in our relationship, continues to be consistently yes.

No relationship is perfect, le sigh. I'll continue talking about poly in the abstract with him, talking about articles, political stances, public reactions, etc, and since in the abstract he's all for poly rights, etc, perhaps at some point he'll consider it.

He did at one point say that if two people in a relationship go six months with no sex, then he believes the partners have a right to go get it somewhere else. My problem is that I break down and beg him for sex after about a month... I'm pretty sure if I stopped asking he'd forget about it and we probably would (gulp) go six months with no sex.

/shrug

At that point I could break out a calendar, explain, gently, that it's been a long time, and some of my needs are not being met. He might be more open to the idea if he realized that he really could go that long without sex, without caring, and that I do care.

He's graduating with his first bachelor's degree in 5 weeks- he's a non-trad student and in his mid-thirties. I'm so proud of him! After that we'll be moving to wherever he finds a job, and given his field, it will likely be some distance from where we live now.

I've been supporting us financially throughout his college career, although he's also had some student loans. Before I rock the boat I want him to be settled in a good job and a home, with an income, etc. I love him enough to want him to not be in financial crisis if things between us, for any reason, didn't work out.

And well, having a job with insurance might make it possible for him to get some blood tests, make sure his various chemical levels aren't out of whack. Although generally speaking, with anhedonia sufferers, their blood chemistry is generally normal (and some of the guys with it have had every test under the sun, and then some!) it'd be nice to get it checked out and see if there were any medications that might help him.

Believe me, when we've talked about it, his inability to enjoy sex/orgasm distresses him as much or more than it does me. Imagine if, after 15-odd years of perfectly normal and enjoyable sex, suddenly, your chemistry went haywire and at orgasm you felt nothing. No speeding pulse, no rush of endorphins, barely any discernable pleasure. It's a really sad thing to lose.

Anyhow, the bottom line is, I love him, care for him, and enjoy him. I've never met anyone like him, and I've met few people in general who are as intelligent, funny, talented, sweet, giving, loving, honorable, and moral. If things don't ever get any better in terms of our sex life, then that may be something I have to give up. If it becomes too much to bear then I will have to consider that when the time comes. But for the foreseeable future, he's my darlin', my sweetie, and I'm ok with things.
 
@groovy9
Besides, if you want sex 3 times a week, you're going to be spending an awful lot of time with someone else. Not that that doesn't work for people, it's just no small thing you're undertaking here.

"Awful, small, undertaking" are relative terms...Please try and speak for yourself in these matters.

The world is filled with very sexual people as it is filled with non-sexual people and everyone in between. 3 times a week is normal(friends, family, etc) in my world, and 5 times(actually, at a certain point you really just don't count) a week is average for my own relationships.

Don't make something relatively significant issue seem hopeless because it is such a way in your life. It's unfair to the recipient.

@OP
but at the same time I feel lonely and unfulfilled
Your sexual fulfillment is almost paramount to your relationship. Don't give in to social pressures and think that caring about sex is "bad". It isn't, it's important to your human experience as much as water, trust me. You feel unfulfilled because because you aren't getting enough emotionally sensual connection.
Given 5 years of commitment, I don't think "breaking up" is too easy of an option, though you must realize that it is an option as stated above. You have to think about the well being of both of you, you can't leech on someone if the relationship doesn't work out, but fortunately, most relationships CAN work(meaning come to a resolution of where you fit in each others lives) if you put enough intelligent effort into it. <-this ideal is where my personal poly ideals come from.

I suggest you seek an endocrinologist, and a psychotherapist as SOON as you can. I'm familiar with you're husbands affliction, and I know enough about life to say that it can probably be overcome, but he has to want it. Sometimes it can be caused by low counts of prolactine. A common treatment for it is Bupropion. Without writing a novel about it, look at it like this.

your b/f will be in a much better condition if...
-He is not only "not depressed" but happy and fulfilled in his life
-His bodily chemicals (hormones and proteins) are BALANCED and at the correct level
-His blood deficiencies are corrected.

If he manages to attain the conditions above, it's possible that he won't consider "sex" as a chore, especially if he changes his state of mind on the idea of what sex is. A real life example relative to my situation...

I don't cum during most of my sex...why? I choose not to
-It's messy(hehehehehehe)
-I don't want to get my girl pregnant
-I hate condoms
-I can go again, and again afterwards, and if I embrace the feeling of sex without anticipating a climax sex actually gets BETTER.
-When I DO climax, IT'S AMAZING

This is hard for alot of guys to do. But let's just say for example, I can't feel a "climax". Sex would probably mean a bit less to me, but not too much. I view sex as a representation of love. It's the deepest connection you can have to a personally "physically". And as such, I feel it can be used as spiritual connection when BOTH parties feel that way. I emphasize both because my g/f as mentioned sex as something special because she's "letting someone "in" or that close" but I feel the guys who were having sex with just sort of enjoyed having sex with her, lol. Sort of a one-sided lame deal imho.

Anyway as said before, I suggest you guys get some medical and psychological help. I feel if you try to improve your relationship that benefits both of you, you can truly figure out if you need a poly relationship or not. I somewhat agree with other opinions that poly shouldn't be an outlet simply because your needs aren't being met. But of course, it doesn't mean it's wrong for you or anyone else to do that. I just feel it's more beneficial if poly starts from a relationship(s) that is already full of fulfillment.

GL
peace & love,
-gabe
 
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Imagine if, after 15-odd years of perfectly normal and enjoyable sex, suddenly, your chemistry went haywire and at orgasm you felt nothing. No speeding pulse, no rush of endorphins, barely any discernable pleasure. It's a really sad thing to lose.
I don't mean to pry, but I'd never heard of this until today. So he has normal arousal, erection, and the typical sensations leading up to orgasm? i.e. sex feels good, but with a disappointing ending?

Every once in a while, I've had it happen that I just couldn't "get there," in which cases I just stopped, shrugged, and moved on to the afterglow phase. I can't say what it's like to have that happen every single time, but for the times it did, the sex part was still worthwhile even without the climax. I mean, I'm still getting naked and sweaty with my girl.

I'm no psychologist, but it seems like there ought to be a middle ground to be had somewhere.

Good for you, for keeping your eye on the total picture rather than getting hung up on the negatives. I'm not perfect either...
 
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Thanks for your input gabe. :)

My boyfriend doesn't like doctors, heh. It's difficult to get him to see one, but again I think once he/we have insurance, it may be easier. I concur on seeing a doctor and an endocrinologist, and I can say with confidence that he would shoot down the psychotherapy bit. He might go in for some couples' counseling if it becomes neccessary for the health of our relationship.

Just to throw this out there, my boyfriend is not a sexually inhibited kind of guy. He used to be much more into the D/s scene (sub) and he's comfortable with people of all sexual orientations and (legal) appetites. So I think we can pretty much rule out the idea that his condition is "in his head" or the result of fear or shame, or somesuch. He's cool and kinky and sweet about sex... it just doesn't interest him any more.

Anywho, I agree on getting him medically checked out before we embark on an unknown path.

And as far as whether or not being poly is for me, well, the first time I was really exposed to the idea of poly was when I read Heinlein's "Stranger in a Strange Land" and one of the characters in the commune towards the end of the book says, "Don't covet my wife, have her!" (or something close to that.) I remember being about 12 or so, reading that, and going, "Yeah! A whole house of people who love and share each other without jealousy or anger. Rock on. If only that kind of life really existed." But it's only in the past year or so that I've discovered that it is possible to set up that kind of a life, partners, primaries, and secondaries permitting. :)

And I didn't date or have a first kiss until I was 19, so I was dreaming about poly before I even knew what monogamy was like! Hehe.

But again, I want to take my time, consider things, and keep and treasure the relationship I have with the person I love. If in the future we can have an open, loving relationship with others, well then that's just the icing on the cake, right? :)
 
"Awful, small, undertaking" are relative terms...Please try and speak for yourself in these matters.
On an anonymous internet forum, "it is my opinion that the following could be the case" is generally implied. Obviously, OP can't encapsulate an entire 5-year relationship in a single page of text, and I don't really want to have to read a disclaimer on every forum post.
 
Hey groovy,

Yeah, ejaculatory anhedonia (EA) is a relatively unknown condition. We didn't even know that it was a condition until I found a message board with hundreds of men posting that they had the same problem, and that the medical community has been attempting to address (or mostly ignore it) for over 30 years.

To answer about my boyfriend specifically (although most sufferers have an individual range of loss of feeling from mild to complete):

He has no physical problems with intercourse. He has normal erections and normal flow of semen when he ejaculates.

Sexual contact feels a tiny bit enjoyable for maybe the first two minutes (i.e. from unaroused to erect) but then after that he feels almost nothing. If you picture the average sexual response to be like these plus signs:

00000+
0000++
000+++
00++++
0+++++
++++++


Then his, as he's described it to me, is like this:

000+000000000+0000
0+000+++++++0++++

A buildup of a tiny bit of sensation, with orgasm barely a blip at the end. And I can verify that neither his heartrate or breathing change when he orgasms. It's as if the dopamine or adrenaline producers/receptors in his body and brain have malfunctioned, the wires have been crossed, who knows. But he doesn't have a typical or very enjoyable time of it.

Here's a link to a very active forum thread discussing it:

http://www.hisandherhealth.com/sexu...exual-health/27528-ejaculation-without-orgasm

They've started a 2nd thread to continue it, since there are over 2000 replies to the first one. Here's part 2:

http://www.hisandherhealth.com/sexu...culation-without-orgasm-ejaculatory-anhedonia

This is not an isolated problem; it's just that no one's talking about it and the medical community isn't/can't do anything about it yet.
 
fixed...




***embarrassed***
 
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