If the SO wasn't prepared to learn a little and try and rectify the said disappointment, it would be time to call it a day because the same issue would raise it's ugly head repeatedly IMO.

No.

As far as I am concerned, love without lust should be confined to relatives and friends. If you love someone, but you have no sexual feelings for them, then they are a friend. To be in a lifelong relationship with someone, there has to be a spark of something more. To begin with, the spark is bright and always ready to be fanned into flames. As time goes on, the spark dims or dies. If it's dim, there is always a way to get it to start burning. If it's died, then the only thing you can do is feel thankful that you had a good time with that person, be pleased that you have a good friend in them, and set the both of you free to find something that will sparkle, crackle and burn for a lifetime. That's my opinion on it.

The King says:

No, physical stimulation and connection is part of love, anything else is settling for less.

This sounds like an adjunct to my "combining love AND lust" post!

Eucalyptus, you're describing a friend. If that's all you want out of another human, or you're too old or not healthy enough for sex, absolutely! Love can indeed exist without lust.

For me, nope. I'm still a physically lustful guy, and have physical needs. Been down the "friendship without sex" route with someone I was very enamored with, and it was extreme, excruciating torture. She may be dead below the waist, but I'm not.

Next time? A red-hot chili pepper, someone I feel that spark, that crazy lust with. Any friendship will develop concurrently along with lust.

I should say "if you're BOTH too old and/or not healthy enough for sex". If one is and the other isn't, well, just like any other incompatibility, it won't work.

There is give and take in every relationship, if the sex isn't there and never is then I feel it will slowly affect the rest of the relationship over time. You don't want the good to get spoiled so I'd say openly discuss it or move on :(

Merc: It certainly does. For me, it developed a healthy disdain for her.

I just got out of that marriage. Hell no. If you want a friend join a social club.

I know what you mean Kool, it certainly destorys the wonderful strong relationship you have in other areas.

Thanks, Merc! I'm still kinda fond of that woman...up to a point...then the healthy disdain emerges, conditioned through months of my physical advances being rejected. Kinda truncates/decapitates/cuts off one's soul, as well as, in the case of man, his penis.

Yep, it's fulfilling, UP TO A POINT, then limiting.

I don't think I could form a complete relationship with someone who disappointed me sexually. Isn't part of the whole package. If I started out a relationship that way, I would feel as if I was settling for something less.

it's like in everything....moderation.....

you can't burn at million degrees all the time....you'll burn out....

and remember....rust never sleeps....or sharks....

"Supposed"? Who told her that? Her mother?

My conolences, mo. Geez, it's bad enough that women feel that way, but to be conditioned that way through someone else...?