Podcast Summary: "My Husband Isn't Attracted to Me"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
• Host/Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger & SiriusXM
• Episode: My Husband Isn't Attracted to Me
• Release Date: April 1, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Dr. Laura’s "Call of the Day," Liz reaches out for guidance concerning her marital struggles, particularly feeling unattracted and neglected by her husband. This detailed summary encapsulates Liz's predicament, Dr. Laura's insightful advice, and the underlying themes of marital communication and personal responsibility.

Caller Background

Liz's Relationship History
Liz, a 35-year-old woman, has been married to her husband for five years. She shares that they have two children together—a four-year-old and a five-year-old—and a 15-year-old from a previous relationship.

• Meeting Her Husband:
  Liz explains that she and her husband met as teenagers. They dated from ages 13 to 15, broke up, and reconnected years later through Facebook after a series of challenging relationships. This long history has deeply intertwined their lives despite past separations.

• Marriage Formation:
  The marriage occurred under pressing circumstances—Liz became pregnant and felt compelled to marry her husband. She emphasizes that despite the lack of sexual intimacy, she married him because he offered stability and safety after dating a series of "bad men" (Transcript [04:27]-[05:29]).

Issues Presented

Lack of Sexual Intimacy
Liz expresses significant distress over the minimal and unsatisfying sexual relationship with her husband.

• Sexual Neglect:
  She states, “[...] I feel just like severely neglected when we do have sex now” ([02:11]-[02:45]). Liz has attempted to embrace the situation by trying to gain weight to align with her husband’s preferences, but feels unable to do so.

• Emotional Toll:
  Liz shares feelings of anger, disgust, and confusion, pondering if her husband's lack of attraction stems from deeper issues, such as his sexuality: “I thought he was gay. Maybe, like, maybe that's why he didn't like me” ([03:52]-[04:22]).

Dr. Laura’s Response and Advice

Understanding the Root Cause
Dr. Laura probes into the history of Liz's marriage to identify when the feelings of hate and neglect began ([02:06]-[02:11]).

• Encouraging Professional Help:
  Dr. Laura advises Liz to seek the assistance of a sex therapist to navigate their sexual incompatibility:
  “I would recommend you two go to a sex therapist and deal with each other's fantasies, desires and all of that” ([09:07]-[09:10]).

• Maintaining the Marriage for the Sake of the Children:
  Emphasizing the importance of family stability, Dr. Laura advises against ending the marriage solely due to sexual issues:
  “I certainly would not recommend you walk out of this marriage... We have three kids who don't need more turmoil” ([09:32]-[09:47]).

• Addressing Mutual Issues:
  She acknowledges that both partners may have personal issues contributing to the marital strain:
  “He's got some, as people like to say to me, issues, issues. And so do you” ([09:52]-[09:58]).

• Reframing the Relationship:
  Dr. Laura encourages Liz to avoid labeling her marriage with negative terms like "hate" and instead focus on fostering mutual respect and understanding:
  “Don't use that word for a situation like this. You knew you weren't going to have a lot of sex, but he had so many qualities that made you feel safe that you went ahead anyway” ([10:12]-[10:30]).

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Importance of Communication:
  Effective dialogue between partners about sexual needs and desires is crucial for marital satisfaction.

• Role of Therapy in Resolving Intimacy Issues:
  Professional guidance, especially from a sex therapist, can help couples navigate complex sexual dynamics and rebuild intimacy.

• Balancing Personal Happiness with Family Stability:
  Liz is encouraged to find a middle ground where she can honor her own needs while maintaining a stable environment for her children.

• Avoiding Negative Labeling:
  Dr. Laura emphasizes refraining from using harsh terms like "hate," which can exacerbate marital tensions, and instead fosters a more constructive approach to resolving issues.

Notable Quotes

• Liz on Neglect:
  “[...] I feel just like severely neglected when we do have sex now” ([02:11]-[02:45]).

• Dr. Laura on Therapy:
  “A sex therapist helps you to talk about it, to understand better how everybody's thinking and feeling and what they would like and not like” ([09:25]-[09:35]).

• Dr. Laura on Marriage Stability:
  “There's nothing evil here. [...] honor to do that in a happy way so that the kids are not affected” ([10:00]-[10:15]).

Conclusion

This episode of "Dr. Laura Call of the Day" delves into the nuanced challenges of maintaining a fulfilling sexual relationship within marriage. Through Liz's heartfelt account and Dr. Laura's practical advice, listeners gain valuable perspectives on addressing intimacy issues, the significance of seeking professional help, and the delicate balance between personal happiness and family responsibilities. The conversation underscores the importance of empathy, communication, and proactive solutions in sustaining marital harmony.