this post was submitted on 03 Nov 2024
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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.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

(Not a woman): my partner does not like receiving oral sex or other kinds of sex where she is mostly passive/receiving, because she doesn’t like feeling put on the spot and obligated to react.

If your partner has been not getting much from sex for a long time now, then she is also probably feeling a lot of pressure to change and behave right and react as expected which would be not pleasant for her.

Maybe ask her if she wants to play a game where she reads a book out loud (sexy book or bit sexy book) or play a cozy video game or some other activity where you get to enjoy yourself playing with her body for potentially a long time, and she has something else to pay attention to besides her own sexual performance? That would probably also go well with deep toys on low power as well.

Just, maybe avoid Call of Duty for this one. It has to be a lazy activity she’s doing. If her attention is successfully diverted 100% to the point the sex is an irritating distraction then that’s not any fun for anybody

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

Thank you, the Call of Duty tip is great XD

But this is not the case with her

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My own experience is that the lower and side areas around the opening going into the vagina are a lot more stimulating than the clitoris, which makes penetrative sex so much better. This is not very common for women, but it might apply to your partner. Applying gentle pressure to these areas is good for me so that could be something to try. Gauge her reaction. I believe this preference is very uncommon, and I've had partners refuse to believe I like it, so I'm not very open about it anymore.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

Thank you I'll try that 🙏

I hope you know that that is on them, open communication is important and I don't see a reason to doubt what one says about their own body.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 23 hours 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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Not OP case but 2 decades later with no change is demoralizing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 hours 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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 hours 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.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago

Go by her lead. She will tell you what she wants if she wants it, and you guys have open communication. Don't over think sex, and sex performance

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Talk to your partner about it

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I did, she doesn't have the experience to know what do to and she isn't against me looking into it, but she is okay as things are right now.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If she is okay with things you should leave it alone, lest you put pressure on her to orgasm which is like, one of the least sexy things I can think of.

You can enjoy sex without orgasming. Sometimes my partner or I will opt for strap sex even though it is harder for both of us to orgasm because it feels nice/scratches a different itch. If she wanted to orgasm during sex she'd probably start masturbating to make it easier to do.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Trying to think of a way to bring her to be comfortable in stimulating her body in different ways... What if you'd masturbate by watching her and for you she just mildly rubs her body gently. Then eventually you can ask her to fake rub her vulva to turn you on. Kinda making it her job in a way and associating self rubbing with pleasure. Hopefully that makes sense.

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Is this something she expects you to figure out for her?
If I were you, I'd explain that you're open to try anything in any way that she is willing to try with you, but the initiative must come from her. You are there for her to help her figure it out, if she's interested in trying something.
If she is interested in exploring this, she will. If she is not, well, then nothing you can do will help or convince her. Instead it could become a stressful expectation in itself.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 days ago

My past experience with a shy conservative girl with problems of pain or oversensitivity is that you can't get anything out of her, except "it's all fine, it's all good, feels nice" and you are left wondering, if you just suck at it. Just don't go there before she opens up.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's probably too sensitive? Have you tried stimulating it indirectly, for example by licking/touching its hood right above it instead?

Also, take your time, listen to the body language and if you sense some kind of positive response you keep doing exactly that, you don't change the pace, pressure, angle, etc.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I did try that, it seems to just lack any pleasure, it is sensitive, but less then other people I have been with and no matter what I do it does not produce pleasure, usually it just doesn't do anything for her

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Sorry I couldn't help. Ultimately, communication is key and if you're both satisfied and she doesn't feel she needs more or missing out, then there's no harm :)

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Hello. I might be of a similar build as your partner. And here is the key question: Is she able to pleasure HERSELF via clitoris YES or NO?

Personally my answer for this is yes, but so far I've never met anyone who could do this for me without some heavy guidance. I would absolutely NOT enjoy my clit rubbed roughly or gently, with fingers or tongue, with or without lube. Thinking about it alone makes me wince. The clit you see is always like the tip of the iceberg, there is a very sensitive part poking but there is a much larger nerve network underneath. Most people seem to find pleasurable working with the tip of the iceberg alone, and that's what you seem to have described. But some prefer working with what's surrounding it, and it is still technically clitoral stimulation so that's what my question is about.

If she tells you the only way she's ever going to orgasm is by penetration, then leave it at that.

If instead she says yes she can but that it is too difficult to explain/guide someone else to do it, then I can give you a few pointers to start exploring. Everyone is different so I can't guarantee what works for me also works in your case though, but it's worth a shot. It took me a while to figure out how my own body worked and I can understand someone just opting to skip the hassle of having to teach another person how to do this especially when getting it wrong can get painful/ kill the mood/ lower their or your confidence/ end in an argument etc.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What does she do when she is doing herself? And is she getting orgasm that way, and is she getting it with you in any way?

If she can do direct clitoral stimulation for herself, it's possible you are just too rough, a lot of guys are. But also possible that she's just wired so that direct contact is unpleasant.

It's hard to recommend without more information but I would suggest a tight angle face to face, that she might be able to sort of grind on you while fucking, to get some vulva stimulation and the inside feeling, that might push her over. Also maybe try playing with her boobs while she's on top.

Mostly I think you are on the right track with the mental angle - engaging the mind, find out what she thinks about and use that, give up your ideas about every woman being wired the same.

And Do Not Push her. Really listen to what she wants.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thanks, she does not masturbate, so no knowledge source there.

I'll try that position you suggested, sounds very intimate as well.

And I am kind of at a last ditch effort here, I of course accept her as she is, I just want to see if there is something I can do to help her orgasm before I give up on the prospect for now. She is very satisfied with our sex life (so as I) but I really think she might be missing out since she never had an orgasm and so she can't really know what she is missing out on.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

Hmm, yes if she does not masturbate I honestly think she might just not be that much into the physical pleasure, you may have to just take what you can get - even though you would be frustrated, she may not be. It's hard for me to imagine, too! But if she enjoys the closeness and seeing you get off, your expectations may be getting in the way.

Even if she gets frustrated, she will probably have to figure out herself what works. It's really good she is not faking, don't push her to the point she feels like that's the answer.

ETA: tight angle with her legs up if she is flexible, or kind of sideways so one of your legs is against her vulva (look up coital alignment technique) those positions with some amount of outside contact like that are very intense dual stimulation, and if you are yourself angled upward the tight angle with legs up will also hit those front areas inside where the nerves from the clitoris run upward.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

my partner just want cuddles.

I like eating peaches!

We are not the same.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Don't worry, I would never push her and we are both happy, I am also not frustrated with the situation, just wondering if there is something else I can try

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (5 children)

Is it that she doesn't like the sensation or she just can't cum? It may be too "intense" so you can try stimulating near the clit with a vibrator instead of directly on.

Try G spot simulation- use a couple of fingers in a "come hither" motion inside. Maybe try that after having piv sex as she may be more turned on. Be communicative together.

Try other erogenous zones like nipples and neck simultaneously as clitoral stimulation and/or g spot.

Use toys in all configurations.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Probably just ask about it. They could be asexual. Years ago I was with someone who was, and we had sex, a lot of dirty fun, she was totally into it, but she didn’t cum and told me she doesn’t need to. I found out after that she loves having sex just to feel close and connect, not for sexual gratification, she didn’t masturbate either.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_asexuality

Without knowing your relationship history, maybe your partner is somewhere in this space but doesn’t openly talk about it?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How are you in the same boat as me?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago
[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (5 children)

Try other areas of her body (e.g. neck, ear, nipple), try full body massage beforehand, her mental state as well as yours will definitely play a role, and there are certain rhythms and grip techniques if penetration is the only positive sensation for her. Also maybe she would be more turned on by switching roles more where you were on the receiving end. Have fun, good luck!

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Anecdotal, and not a woman personally, but I’ve had a similar experience from days long gone; ultimately we ended up trying out different toys and the sucking sort of vibrator with lower settings was what got her past the “block”, but it was via masturbation. We’d only move it to our together time after she got comfortable with the sensation and desensitized, as she described it. In our part of the world the main brand name for this kind of toy was “satisfyer”, not sure if that is global though.

After a while it all just clicked and it became something more familiar to me too, with fingers and tongue (though she did still prefer sucking over licking, which for me as a young man back then was new, but very much a priceless enlightenment and a much appreciated skill I later had time to hone more) ultimately joining in and it all becoming something more familiar to my less experienced younger self.

What I’ve learnt since though, is that everyone is so wildly different, that just simply masturbating together, or learning to, if the other party/parties aren’t experienced there, has been key to lasting mutual satisfaction. And people and their needs/wants change over time, that’s also important to keep in mind. And masturbation is the thing that naturally reflects that. Just talk, talk, talk, and then experiment. Try and keep an open mind, and try to be accommodating. Change and new things take time. Try your best not to get frustrated or load too much expectations into the process. And try and understand the other party/parties are the ones having a harder time coming to terms with the fact that they could not meet your initial expectations. They have a lot of pressure due to this, though it’ll ultimately be mutually beneficial.

Also I’ve noted that it’s so easy to fall prey to thinking that you’re the one giving or somehow “improving” their life here, but this is, in fact, your need that needs to get satisfied. You want her to feel things she does not currently. It’s not a bad thing, this is how life is when you share it with someone, but do not think you are being the giving party here. This is your need, which she either chooses to accommodate and figure out together, or not. And you might best start accepting that this experiment might not lead anywhere, and that you might have to change your expectations accordingly.

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