Is my relationship with my 38-year-old boyfriend sexless? I'm a 27-year-old woman, and I need advice on how to proceed.

I'm a 27-year-old woman, and my boyfriend is 38. Currently, we're going through a challenging phase in our relationship—not because we fight or dislike each other, but because intimacy has significantly dwindled. We enjoy each other’s company—going on dates, hanging out with friends, and sharing daily conversations filled with laughter and fun. However, when it comes to sex, there's not much happening. I believe he's starting to notice the decline in our intimacy too, but I'm hesitant to bring it up, as I don't want him to feel embarrassed or pressured. It's become more of a close friendship than a romantic relationship, and I sense that he's reluctant to initiate anything. We first met at a work event over six years ago while working in the same field (different companies). Our relationship began passionately, but things shifted when COVID-19 hit. After the restrictions were lifted, we committed to each other in 2023. I understand how stressful our work can be, but in the last six months, something seems off. We’ve only been intimate three times during this period, and he has been working late hours almost every day. After confiding in some friends about my situation, they expressed concern, stating that such a lack of intimacy is unfavorable, especially since their partners (of similar ages) are still actively engaged. This has made me feel like the problem lies with me or that there’s something else going on with him. He’s been incredibly stressed with work these past four months, and when we do manage to be intimate, it’s often brief and lacks the connection and effort I crave. He frequently apologizes and downplays the situation, saying he feels "too old." I've tried to be supportive by offering encouraging words and even suggesting therapy, but he seems dismissive of the idea as if it’s a new concept to him. I want to remain positive and patient, even if I don't expect immediate changes. I'm genuinely unfamiliar with issues surrounding intimacy since he is my first partner, and I’ve never had the chance to learn about sexual relationships before this. Looking back, I realize that during vacations we’ve had together, he hasn’t shown any interest in being intimate at all. Even on a three-week trip to Europe—his first vacation after we became official—he couldn't sleep, and on our trip to Hawaii, he found it too hot. It seems he only initiates when it feels right for him, which doesn’t bother me, but I wish there was more frequency. As we prepare for another vacation in Europe, I can’t shake the feeling that it will be an extension of this intimacy drought. Despite feeling exhausted, I love him deeply—we share the same interests, from sci-fi novels to video games, which initially drew us together. His excuse for the lack of sex is that he feels too old, but I’m at a loss for how to address this. I don’t have male friends to consult, and I often keep to myself, so I’m seeking advice on how to approach this sensitively. Is this a result of his age? Could it be linked to stress or depression? I want to ensure I communicate with kindness and empathy, especially if he is struggling. Is there a possibility he needs medical or professional guidance to navigate this? I don't want to overstep but feel worried about his well-being. The situation is further complicated because, when we’re out with friends, he sometimes tells them that we have a more active sex life than we do, which hurts my feelings. I genuinely want to resolve this and would appreciate any insights on how to discuss this with him and encourage him to seek help. Thank you for listening. **TL;DR:** I’m a 27-year-old woman trying to understand why my 38-year-old boyfriend and I are lacking intimacy. I seek advice on how to approach the topic and possibly guide him toward solutions for his declining libido. I miss the romance we once shared.