New sex with my husbnd

I love my husband, but when it comes to sex, he has been, and still is, a year-old boy. At first I was a willing participant, but after years of his moping, cajoling, screaming, and disrespect, I lost interest. Finally, several years ago, I decided to keep the relationship and family intact by agreeing to sex once a week. I had no family support, no money, a lack of self-esteem, and young children.

Every relationship can go through dry spells when your partner is suddenly less interested in sex than you. It may a short-term problem related to stress at work or other issues that have driven your partner to distraction. Even more commonly, a sudden, hectic schedule—ranging from end-of-year exams to a do-or-die work deadline—can leave your partner exhausted and uninterested in anything more than sleep or a night in front of the TV. While dry spells like these are common and usually resolve on their own once things stabilize, a prolonged and unexplained disinterest in sex can be harmful to a relationship and the general well-being of both partners.

Latest Issue. Past Issues. Editor's Note: Every Monday, Lori Gottlieb answers questions from readers about their problems, big and small. Have a question? Email her at dear.

I am 55 and have given up on having satisfying sex with my husband. We met 13 years ago when my life was in complete freefall — and I realised he was exactly what I needed at the time: stable, reliable and devoted. Despite the relatively high number of women he had slept with, we never connected meaningfully. He would give no indication that he wanted me physically, let alone that he found me attractive.