2025-09-02 – Health – www.theguardian.com
He struggles to maintain an erection and I feel worthless as his partner. I wonder whether there’s a way back for us
When we first met, 12 years ago, my husband and I didn’t waste any time in starting the sexual part of our relationship. He warned me he was a sex addict, and I am enthusiastic about sex. On our first night together I was aware of some erectile dysfunction – he wasn’t entirely hard and benefited from holding himself when penetrating me – though this didn’t stop us reaching climax. We joked about how many times I would orgasm and neither of us seemed inhibited.
Over time, my husband needed more and more help with ejaculating and would often lose his erection during sex. He has shown less interest in any form of intimacy with me, while I have been trying to show my attraction to him in other ways, like hugging and holding hands.
Pamela Stephenson Connolly is a US-based psychotherapist who specialises in treating sexual disorders.
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