Marriage is built on trust, affection, and understanding. While physical intimacy is an important part of many relationships, a couple’s desire for closeness can change over time. Health problems and personal struggles can affect a person’s interest in intercourse. Because of this, partners should try to understand each other rather than immediately assume something is wrong.

Refusing intercourse does not automatically mean a partner is unfaithful or has fallen out of love. Everyone has the right to decide when they are comfortable with physical intimacy, even within marriage. What matters is how couples communicate their feelings and address their concerns. Neither partner should feel pressured to engage in intercourse just to prove their love or loyalty.

However, when one partner repeatedly refuses intimacy, the other may begin to feel rejected or question the relationship. In Filipino culture, where marriage is often seen as a lifelong commitment, lack of affection can lead to doubts about whether a relationship is still working.

This issue came up in the viral case of Evelyn and Ronald Batuigas, whose marital conflict was featured on Wanted sa Radyo. Evelyn accused her husband of having other relationships and shared that he had repeatedly refused her requests for intimacy, including on the day before their separation. Ronald cited health concerns as his reason.

In their case, the history of infidelity and abuse added to the problems in their marriage. When trust is broken, repeated rejection can cause even more hurt and raise doubts about the relationship. However, refusing intimacy alone does not mean a relationship is in trouble.

What matters is whether both partners can communicate openly and address the problems in their relationship. While no one should feel obligated to engage in intercourse, repeated rejection combined with dishonesty or emotional distance may point to deeper issues that need to be discussed.