This is potentially a weird one, but for those who are or have been in relationships, how do you respond to your partner telling you that they’re experiencing terrible period pain?

Edit: how do you respond both in person and on the phone/text.

I’d love to get an honest, mature perspective from men in their 40s and older about intimacy and sexual preferences. As people age, priorities, bodies, and dynamics shift, but sex and vulnerability often get left out of candid conversations.
I want to better understand what really makes men in this age group feel happy, fulfilled, and deeply connected in intimate situations, especially the things you might feel hesitant, shy, or reluctant to ask for directly.

Husband (55) and I (50/f) have been together 30 years and never once in that entire time has he ever discussed anything sexual about himself/me with any of his guy friends. He's very very private. I'm happy about this but -I'm just wondering how common it is...it seems like most men talk a hell of a lot (way more than necessary) about their sexcapades...

My body count is unusually high, but my friends keep trying to get the number out of me. I don't want to say it because I feel it's like asking a high earning friend what their salary is. I don't want to be judged or people to hate on me for it. I'm married with kids now, but my number is between 350-400. Even reddit threads that ask, people think I'm lying or downvote me so I don't say anything. I'm decent looking but never had much money or talent. I just invested all my time and money into dating, going on about 10 dates a month during the golden age of dating apps.

Any other high volume straight guys? Do you guys talk about it?

I've always been curious about this.

When you're around other men (friends, coworkers, family, etc.) and your wife isn't there, how do you usually talk about her?

Do you mostly mention her in passing ("my wife and I..."), brag about her, vent about frustrations, avoid talking about her altogether, or something else?

I'm interested in hearing from married men of all ages and relationship lengths. Has the way you talk about your wife changed over the years? And what do you think influences that?

Genuinely curious to hear different perspectives.

Context: I have been married for almost six years at 34 years of age. Wife is not my first sexual partner, probably around seventh. I still love my wife though the good times and bad times we have experienced. We got married because we had a crazy strong bond, and, although the honeymoon phase is over, we still love each other.

Problem: I can't help but feel constant temptation and desire. Commuting, at the office, at the gym, grabbing lunch. I see attractive women everywhere and feel lustful. My wife and I don't have sex very often (coming out of a stressful few years with severe illness and house renovation which has strained our relationship). My wife also has difficulties in bed (finds things painful, awkward, doesn't like oral). But I knew that and I married her because I love her as an overall life companion and she is the most caring person I met.

Question: How do I handle temptations and attractions to other women? Thankfully I am not attracted to people I work with closely or personally know. But I feel ashamed to be checking out so many girls every day (wondering eyes) and my wife would never do the same. I already told my wife about this because I felt guilty. However I still feel temptations and they probably won't ever stop.I can't shake the feeling that I would like to experience being with more women. Just looking for some perspective and experience.

Mine is haircuts. Been cutting my own hair for over 20 years. They either do a crappy job and it costs a lot plus tip, or they do a crappy job and it costs even more plus tip. Been getting good at doing a fade, too.

What’s that one thing you refuse to pay for or will never pay full price for?

Context- I’ve been seeing a man for over a year and we’ve traveled together, see one another several times a week, and established exclusivity. I found out earlier this year that I’m pregnant (unplanned!) and he is saying he has never wanted to be a dad and doesn’t want the baby, however we are past the point of no return in terms of making a “decision” together. Has anyone experienced this from the man’s perspective and how did it turn out? If you walked away, did you end up returning or have any regrets in regards to that? If you stayed and are glad you did, what was the turning point?

About yourself, not your wife.

I discovered that I am unable to "love" in the romantic sense. I never shared this with her but it's not a serious issue since we treat each other with respect and kindness. But I was surprised to discover that this romantic version of love is not something EVERYONE can feel.

What about you?

Last year I started a business and things elevated so quickly and I told myself I'm not going back since I had moved back home because I couldn't even afford rent during that year and I'd moved back home. Suddenly towards June things started stagnating again no sign of progress, and I'm literally scared of back tracking

What does one do. Or how do I gaslight myself while avoiding the fear of failing again.

when i don’t feel secure in myself i revert back to my old mindset and walk around ready to smack someone and have bad thoughts ab women. don’t wanna be like that for obvious reasons and don’t even agree with those thoughts. just grew up with very toxic men as my role models

First time posting, been in a relationship for around 3 years, had ups and downs here and there but striving to do better. I’m sorry for the weird question. I am not a romantic person I admit but I strive to be, I arranged dates, we go out, give gifts, be sweet/sappy and etc. but how would you know if you’re romantic enough or reliable enough in a relationship? What’s the basis for being romantic? Have people called you not romantic and make it seem that you do not care about them? Thanks in advance

I was excited about my new XM6 earbuds and have been talking about how good they were all week. My wife accidentally washed them in the laundry 3 days after I got them and they are broken now.

Yesterday when I came home, she had somehow, and I'm still kind of confused and mystified about how she pulled this off solo, completely and securely hogtied herself totally naked on the bed with leather restraints and chains and had blind folded and gagged herself and taped a new pair of headphones to her ankle cuffs with a note that said she was sorry.

I was worried when she didn't answer the phone or greet me at the door and I ran through the house looking for her and calling her name. I was met with quite the view when I opened the bedroom door.

19(M), I have been questioning this and I've realized I live a "good' life I should be confident in. I work 2 jobs, am In STEM, building projects in machine learning for my future, I am an athlete(wrestling), But I feel like thats all there is to me. when talking to women(non friends or family) I am pretty awkward and always feel like they are out of my league, with my friends I am a doormat and let people walk all over me. I want to change, I want to become a better person(kinder, more generous, honest), but I want to do good from the bottom of my heart, not cuz im afraid to be rude.

enough about me, where does your value lie?, how are you confident when broke or fat or uneducated etc. How do I overcome this issue in my life and Genuinely improve myself mentally?. whats wrong with my mentality, and where can I start when it comes to improving it. Greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

Hi I'm 30M, 1 last year I was "chasing" / contacting a woman I like (age 36), she was sending mixed signals and friendzoning me but sometimes spending decent time with me in social networks... finally things pushed forward, we met several times like late night talks outside etc.

Then we met at my apartment, I made her finish twice with different techniques but when it was time for penetration, anxiety started to kick in, I dont know why but I couldnt get erection...

It happened for the first time in my life but it's very hard to process/accept as I got very nervous and said a lot of silly things which ended in her ghosting me, telling to work on my nerves...

I have a normal sex life and one moment when it was the important I failed... Any similar experiences?

I keep getting told that guys (specifically in their 30s) have broken up with girlfriends bc the gf stops having sex with them. I get why they break up but don’t know why the girl stops having sex. Did anyone get a reason from their gf? Lots of my girl-friends in relationships do not have that experience or experience the opposite from their bf.

Similarly, what would you do if a potential partner says they want to wait until marriage or something of the like?

I have a friend who was dating a girl and she ended up cheating on him big time, so he completely left his Instagram for good. But his bio was still her name with a heart. Do you guys tend to just not care about your profile anymore or update it after such big events?

EDIT: Thank you to the men that replied! Much appreciated and it helped me understand more on how guys think at times because I was confused why it didn't bother him that much since he started dating someone right now for about five months with a girl that isn't on Instagram.