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Sex Q&A: Getting out of the Rut?

Q.

The Nest Q&AI think my husband and I have gotten so used to not having sex that it makes it difficult for both of us to initiate. How do we change and get rid of the feelings of awkwardness and hesitation?

A.

Start small and slowly. Take your husband back to one of the places you went to when you were first dating. If you can't do that, get out a photo album from your early days and, with no other distractions, share some of your hottest memories. Then ask your husband what he was first attracted to in you. Get him going by volunteering what you found attractive in him, from his smile to the way he first kissed you. Make sure there are no interruptions -- cell phones off! -- and treat it like a real date.

Couples who do this regularly have proven to reconnect successfully. Once you feel that intimate bond is being established again, ask about his fantasies. Be willing to share yours too. Turn it into a little sex game, where one night you describe your fantasy and then plan a weekend to act it out. Also, make it clear to him that quality, not quantity, counts. Let him know that you're not demanding to go back to having sex three or four times a week, as couples do early in their relationships.

Nestpert Dr. Pam Spurr, author of Make Love All Night & Talk to Him in the Morning and Naughty Tricks and Sexy Tips: A Couple's Guide to Uninhibited Sexual Pleasure

Get cheap date night ideas
Play some sexy games
Decode your sleep style

-- The Nest Editors

Feb 26, 2009

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Good advise, I don't know if it will work with me and my husband. We got married in June and have only had sex twice in the beginning. I'm a sexual driven woman and it's driving me crazy. I have no idea what the problem could be and i've thought of them all. Any thoughts on that one?

by erin369 on Feb 03, 2010

what is the 365 day challenge?

by sadx1004 on May 20, 2010

It's having sex all year long...every day.

by hollydolly_6 on Jul 15, 2010

My husband and I normally had sex at least 7 times weekly, and then he started a new job. He leaves for work at 9pm and gets home at 8am... just in time for me to leave for my job. It really wreaked havoc with our sex life. I was really stressed by it at first, but then I started focusing on his other needs more. I'd cook dinner for him, put together a homemade meal for his midnight lunch, and lay out his work clothes. I started waking him at night by crawling into bed, kissing his neck and suggesting we take a bath together before work. Also, telling him how proud I am of him has really helped our sex life be what it used to be.

by waitingellipsis on Nov 28, 2010

Doesnt make sense - you get married not to have sex?

by butterflyim1 on Oct 19, 2011

P.S. my comment was not intended to be judgemental, it was simply not liking the fact that this is too common.

by butterflyim1 on Oct 19, 2011

Talk with your husband. And both of you ask for a day regularly and enjoy your life. marriage

by abbylinda on Dec 18, 2011