I’m looking for some perspective.
My boyfriend (M18) masturbates in the room next to me instead of initiating sex with me (F21). We are both home and available. He doesn’t hide it, but he also doesn’t include me or talk to me about it.
I know masturbation itself isn’t wrong, and I’m not trying to control his body or shame him. But emotionally, it kind of hurts. It makes me feel unwanted and rejected, especially because I am right there.
I’m struggling to tell whether this is something I should just let go of, or whether it’s reasonable to feel hurt by this and want to talk about it with him. I don’t want to start a fight, but I also don’t want to ignore how it made me feel.
Has anyone experienced something similar? How did you handle it? Is this more about communication, or could it signal a deeper issue with intimacy?
TL;DR: My boyfriend masturbates alone while I am home instead of having sex with me, and it made me feel hurt and rejected. I’m not sure if I’m overreacting or if this is something worth addressing.