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sex 380x253 When the sex is good but the relationship isnt.

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by TRACEY COX

The relationship is terrible, but the sex is amazing. Ever found yourself in a similar situation? Mamamia sexpert Tracey Cox may have some advice that you could help you…

Today’s Question: I’ve been with a guy on and off for the past few years. I’ve seen other people in between but keep ending up back with my ex. I’m sick of the on again, off again routine but love, love, LOVE the sex! He knows me and what I like and I know all his spots too, and we always find new ways to spice things up. What do you think I should do? Stay or leave for good?

Tracey’s answer: Is it just the sex you’re coming back for? Or are there other things? How do the two of you get on when you’re not in bed discovering new hot spots? While great sex is a huge bonus to any relationship, sadly, it takes more than that to keep us interested long-term. After all, most of us spend more time out of bed together than in it (though by the sounds of it, you may be the exception!)

Then there’s the fact that you keep leaving. Relationships split up for a reason and taking a wild stab in the dark, I’m guessing the reason you keep going back out there into singles’ land is to see if there’s anyone better. If you were totally satisfied with your ex, you’d be staying put and working at any problems, so you could avoid the stressful on-off-on-off pattern. Which leads me to another point: do you find it stressful or exciting? It might be the drama of the break up and get together that appeals.

You two clearly have sexual chemistry. What you need to work out is what’s drawing you back together all the time. If it’s habit and history, he’s an emotional security blanket for you. A back-up guy and a safe place to return to if it all gets too hard or boring out there. But if you’re drawn back to him because you genuinely miss him and feel like he’s your ‘soulmate’ (a cheesy clichéd term but one most people relate to), it’s worth staying put. If you decide it is more than just sex that’s drawing you back, commit to it. Don’t leave the door ajar but commit to it 100%, look inwards not outwards to see who else is out there and give it a good six months to a year. Only then will you truly know if he’s a keeper.

tracy cox1 177x236 When the sex is good but the relationship isnt.

Tracey Cox is an internationally recognised sex, body language and relationships expert as well as a TV presenter. She’s  appeared on Oprah, CNN and The Today Show in the US, as well as numerous prime-time chat shows in the UK and world-wide. Her first book, Hot Sex: How to Do It, was an instant worldwide success and is now available in 140 countries. Her other book titles include Hot SexsupersexsuperflirtHot Relationships andsuperhotsex. She also has her own range of Tracey Cox Supersex Toys and Lubricants.

Follow Tracey on Twitter @TraceyCox or on Facebook here.   Her website is at  www.traceycox.com and you can buy her books here.  Tracey also blogs weekly here.

Ever found yourself in a similar situation? Any advice?

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17 Comments so far

  1. Poly

    Polyamory peeps. Stay with the guy, have the hot sex & still date. If he doesn’t have to be your one and only maybe it’s a fine long term relationship.

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  2. Another Anon Guy

    No. She keeps coming back to the bad boy who is attractive but has horrible relationship skills or no desire to have a real relationship.

    If she can’t find a similar level of spark with a real relationship prospect she’s likely to pine away for this guy and be a higher risk for cheating and/or divorce.

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    • Faybian

      How do you know? Yes, there’s every chance he is the bad boy, but there is also every chance he isn’t.

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    • Alice

      WTF? Umm, no. It doesn’t say that anywhere, you’re just making a massive assumption.

      My ex is the most kind, beautiful, gentle man in the world and the sex is literally addictive. I can’t even see him on the street without wanting to jump his bones – and it’s lead to many a (bloody amazing) temporary reunion. He wants us to end up together and is still in love with me. But we’re not together because i don’t love him as much as I loved my ex-ex (who was also not a bad boy) and I keep looking over his shoulder for someone better – so it’s not fair for me to stay in a relationship with him.

      Not everything is a stereotype from a lazy hollywood plot.

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    • Another Anon Guy

      I speak in hyperbole.

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  3. Angela

    Having been with a wonderful man with whom I had zero sexual chemistry it was incredibly sad. I found myself thinking “oh well if we get married I can always have an affair” – NOT GOOD. So I ended it. Now I have amazing chemistry with my best friend who is also my business partner and married with one child. I have a partner and the sex is fantastic but my goodness we will never have the sexual energy I have with my best friend. For the record we have never had sex or so much as kissed but we have both admitted to wanting to and nearly have on several occasions. He’s also the kindest most loyal man I know (very few men would stay faithful to their wives in the face of the temptation of a 25 year old in tight dresses but he has). Such is life!

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    • The Wounded Bull

      Angela, as a married man, I hate to pop your bubble, but far from being unable to resist our urges aroung young ladies like you, most married men would see your tight skirt act as a little sad and tryhard really. You dont give decent men much credit, do you.

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    • What are you thinking?

      He’s married. He has a child. Get your hormones in track before you ruin a family. Same goes for him.

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    • Jenna

      You will never have the sexual energy you have with your best friend….until you’ve been sleeping with the best friend for a while and realise that reality NEVER matches the built up fantasy you have in your head. And even if it’s incredible sex, you’ll aclimatise to it and it’ll lose it’s edge. And then you’re just sleeping with a guy who’s cheating on his wife.

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  4. Megs

    Gosh, Tracey Cox is good! So logical, makes a lot of sense.

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  5. Jane

    Keep it going until you find something else…!

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  6. Anonymous

    Let me tell you this. 13 years of marriage, 3 children, illness, death of loved ones, daily grind. Just LIFE, and I can promise you that great sex will be the last thing you have time for or interest in. My friends and I all have what we deem to be good relationships, had good chemistry initially and still have active sex lives but seriously, there has to be a lot more in the glue if you except long term success as a couple.

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  7. J

    Sexual chemistry hey… oh if it could be bottled!

    Same story from me – great GREAT sex with a man whom I don’t see much of a future with. Trying to work out at the moment if I should keep down the same cruisy path we’ve been travelling on for 6 months now, knowing in my heart of hearts he’s not partner material or abandon ship and fly solo.

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  8. The Wounded Bull

    No matter how good the sex, what proportion of your life does it represent? If that is all going for your relationship, you are missing most of the best bits of a truly wonderful union.

    PS – just felt that earthquake in Melbourne, the earth moved for me and Mrs Bull tonight, and I didnt even have to get up from watching telly

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    • Anonymous

      Wow how good are you? Not only did you make the earth move for you and Mrs Bull without having to get up from watching the telly but you made it move for others too! Stud status – skyrocketed! ;)

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      • fender4eva

        Bahahahaha! I live near Sydney, and nothing moved……. ;-)

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  9. Going anon

    Gosh, life (and sexual chemistry) is so unfair.

    I’ve had one of those relationships where the sex was good but the rest meant there was no future……in fact, more than one.

    Now, I’m struggling with a loss of desire for the man I’ve chosen :(

    Neither situation is ideal, but given the choice, I’d prefer the one with the less-than-exciting sex.

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