Well, as the title says, I’m facing an issue that I’m not sure how to improve.

My partner does not enjoy any sort of clitoris stimulation, I tried everything from rough to gentle, from fingers to tongue, with lube and without. It seems that she truly does not enjoy it in anyway.

She does enjoy penetration very much and I put all of my efforts there, but I feel like I can’t get her to an orgasm/higher pleasure and while she is satisfied right now I fear that over time she wont be.

So my question is what else can I do? There are some other pleasure areas that we use such as ears, emotional connection, fantasies, dirty talk, etc.

Maybe something I haven’t tried on the clitoris? Maybe something else that can take it to the next level? Maybe something that she can do? Maybe just accept that this is okay? Again, she does enjoy herself a lot and is completely satisfied as far as I know, but as I’m her first I think that she is missing out on a level of pleasure that I can’t figure how to help her achieve without the clitoris.

ETA: she does not masturbate, so no guidance or hidden methods on her part.

  • sorter_plainview@lemmy.today
    201·
    2 months ago

    Couple of pointers. One, if she is on any medication, check for any side effects. That includes any birth control pills. Two, you mentioned neither she masturbates nor she has experience, hence I would suggest that she may try masturbating if she is okay to try out. That may uncover more about her body.

    Also if she lacks experience, it can take months for her to be completely comfortable and enjoy it, because relaxing is not very easy for everyone.

    • Spacehooks@reddthat.comEnglish
      5·
      2 months ago

      What if she’s been on BC for almost 20 years and never masturbates ever because it doesn’t “work” Toys also do not “work”. Also eating peach with different methods with genuine enthusiasm doesn’t work.

      Note: This is not /s I’m being legit.

      • sorter_plainview@lemmy.today
        2·
        2 months ago

        I think the point here is to give it more time and explore as much as possible. No conclusive statements, like this method will work or will not work, cannot be and should not be made considering the smaller time frame they have been together. There are multiple options the OP and the partner can try out if they want.

        TBH I am glad the OP is thinking about the long term. The more they explore, the more they will be certain what they can and cannot.

          • sorter_plainview@lemmy.today
            2·
            2 months ago

            Oh so sorry. I didn’t realise you were talking about the situation you are in. I thought the first comment was just a thought experiment. I didn’t pay enough attention. My bad.

            In your case I guess she can be in the asexual part of the spectrum. One of my friends is facing a similar situation. The partner has no sex drive at all. But the partner is a great person in every other area. That relationship sustained because my friend also has a lower sex drive, but more than what the partner has.

            Since this has been so long, I assume you have already tried the couple therapy and individual therapy. If not that is one thing you can try out.

            But keep in mind that if your partner is really asexual, there isn’t much that you can do. It’s not their fault in any way. So either you have to accept the situation and build a life around this fact, or you have to move on. Since you have been in the relationship for a long time, I guess everything else is going well. Means you have already chosen the first option.

            • Spacehooks@reddthat.comEnglish
              2·
              2 months ago

              Yeah basically what you wrote is accurate. No therapy though. She won’t take it. I asked several times.

              I think the crux of issue is a blame myself for all this. I get told no " it’s not you, it’s me" but I still feel like a failure of a partner.

              • sorter_plainview@lemmy.today
                3·
                2 months ago

                No no… Don’t blame yourself. You did nothing wrong here. Very scientifically speaking we still have no clear answer on how the sexuality of a person is determined. So far there is a consensus that there is a biological factor also in play.

                It is not your failure as a partner. These are things beyond your control. She also can’t do much on this. Therapy won’t change the underlying reality. It will just help you to cope up with the hard realities that you are facing.

                I highly recommend you take individual therapy if you haven’t done so far. You may have to untangle decades of experiences to get in terms with it. It’s never late, and the right therapist will definitely improve how you handle this.

                • Spacehooks@reddthat.comEnglish
                  2·
                  2 months ago

                  What do I even describe this to a therapist as? My partner doesn’t want say they are asexual but all the signs are there. Help me be cool with it when I’m the literal opposite end of the spectrum? I feel if I stop trying, then that’s me giving up on her.

                  • sorter_plainview@lemmy.today
                    2·
                    2 months ago

                    I would say exactly that is what you have to describe. As I said certain things cannot be changed with therapy. It can only help you to get in terms with it.

                    Regarding the last point you mentioned. You are not giving up on her. Exerting constant pressure can’t change certain realities. It is like thinking you can drain an ocean with a bucket and a lot of time.

                    You have to accept that there is nothing ‘wrong’ with your partner. If she is asexual there is nothing to ‘cure’. You must build your life around this fact to be happy.

                    This does not mean that your needs should be discarded. In the same way you accept and respect the fact that she is asexual, she also has to take a mature stand and work on finding common grounds or compromises. That is how relationships work, isn’t it?

                    You start therapy. Remember that you will need to find a suitable therapist. So don’t hesitate to change therapists until you find one you are comfortable with. Maybe the therapist can help you on how this topic needs to be discussed with your partner. That may slowly open up new ways to improve the conditions.

              • RBWells@lemmy.world
                2·
                2 months ago

                I just want to say that it’s not frivolous or silly to need sex with your partner, you are not wrong to be distressed. It’s a natural and normal thing to need in a romantic relationship.

      • dingus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        Does anything at all “work” for her? Tbh sex related things just don’t “work” for me…never have and I can’t say that the seems to be a reason why. We are all just different. I know antidepressants can cause that sort of thing, but some of us are just that way naturally. Is this causing a rift in the relationship because on person needs sex and the other doesn’t?

        • Spacehooks@reddthat.comEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          Nothing has worked consistently.

          Does she enjoy it? sometimes but It’s like taking out the trash. 0 sex again would have zero impact. Liquor helps but only drinks at restaurants and only with a meal. So 99% of the time, just too full to make use of it. Suspected the bc but she was off them for a few years, no change. No medication either. Lost weight 0 change. In college, we thought it was Stress levels but it’s lower now with no change.

          Now no cuddles or daily massages would be an issue for her. Withhold for a few days and watch that blow up.

          It’s always been a chasm in the relationship.