Yeah my boyfriend and I both don't really like discussing the past.  We talk about it if it's relevant to the conversation and if it helps us make a point, but we don't talk about it all the time because certain things make us both uncomfortable, like details about past sexual experiences, and things of that nature.  I think it's perfectly understandable that your boyfriend isn't comfortable talking about it, because he probably just doesn't want to picture you being with anyone else but him (I think the fact that this bothers him is a good thing, because it shows his investment in you, but maybe that's just me).  Since you two differ when it comes to how much you want to talk about the past, then maybe you should come to some kind of compromise.  Don't talk about it just to talk, but maybe just use specific circumstances in your past to explain things in the present, that way it doesn't feel like you're only talking about the past because it was fun, or whatever.  This way, the past has meaning for the present, and maybe it won't bother your boyfriend as much.  Also, sometimes, the way a person talks about the past and what brought it up can influence how much in bothers the other person.  If you only talk about it in a way that's relevant to now, then those factors won't matter because it will feel like talking about the past has a purpose.  Just my two cents.

I don't see why your sexual past has to come up in conversation, ever, to be honest with you. If it makes him uncomfortable then I think you should stop. Just because you can't empathize with his feelings, does not mean they are automatically invalid.

I would guess that when you're talking about your past sexual and romantic encounters your boyfriend gets a mental picture of you with that other person and it hurts him to imagine it. He loves you right? So maybe he's a bit sensitive and you're not as sensitive that doesn't make either of you wrong it just makes you different. If you love him and you think he's worth it a little bit of self censoring might be just the thing you need in order to let him know you respect the fact that he can't handle thoughts of you with anyone else. He can't really help the way your memories of the past make him feel and of course you should never feel like you are forced to censor every word out of your mouth. On the other hand if you self censor by choice because you want to spare his feelings and that works for you both then there's nothing wrong with it. Love is all about compromises and little sacrifices on both sides. You just need to decide what you can live with and whether or not he's worth it to give up a little of your right to say whatever you like whenever you like.

I can sympathize with the OP since I see the past as just something to learn from, not to be buried like a shameful secret.  I like to know about my GF's past and no topic is off limit with me, which is funny because she's more uncomfortable talking about it than I am hearing about it.  I do, however, understand that is not a two-way street and she definitely does not want to hear about my past.  Of course she has openly admitted that she gets jealous easily and is slightly annoyed that I never do.  I sometimes pretend to be jealous just to humor her but she knows I'm mocking her =P  If your BF isn't comfortable listening to you talk about your past, respect his wishes, even if you think it's ridiculous. 

I basically agree with everybody that has posted. The past should remain in the past. 

Just know you did nothing wrong and you are not a cold-hearted bitch.

i think it's ok to talk about your past as long as you have a certain limit to what you talk about. like why would you want to hear about all the sexual partners your partner has had? i don't see why i would ever want to divulge such detailed things like that in front of my bf. 

I'm with your boyfriend on this one. And my boyfriend agrees with your boyfriend too. Not that we really have pasts in a sexual sense. And I don't have much of a past in just a relationship sense. I've been in one relationship other than the one I'm in now. My boyfriend on the other hand has had quite a few relationships. None of them were serious though. That tends to make me feel better since I know that he wasn't emotionally attached to any of them. I wasn't really emotionally attached to my ex either. I though I was. Breaking up was really hard. But, after like a week I was fine. And then my boyfriend (now) and I started talking and getting to know each other, then a little over a month later we were going out on our first date, and I had completely forgotten about my ex.

You're definitely not a cold-hearted bitch. I totally understand where you're coming from because no matter what other people say or how trite it might sound, your past is an important part of who you are today. If you're in a relationship, both people need to be comfortable with each other to the point that they can discuss any topic without needing filters. It's not about hiding things or censoring them but honest, open communication.

Talk to your boyfriend about why he's uncomfortable and let him know that though your past shaped your present, it's the now that matters so he shouldn't worry about it. Who you are today is the person he fell in love with so it doesn't matter who you were then because he wasn't even there. What happened in YOUR past doesn't affect him today, so tell him to see
things from your perspective because it doesn't sound like he's trying
to understand you; you're the one taking the time and effort to realize that it hurts him and that you want to help improve the situation for him but that can't happen if he won't meet you halfway. It's compromise for both parties, not sacrifice for one. What's the point of catering to someone else's insecurities at your detriment? Why should I have to stroke your ego or you mine? For me, a relationship is strong when each person trusts and loves him/herself as much as the other party. It's about supporting the other person in every way that matters; you've got that down pat but I think he needs to work on that.

There's a difference between discussing it so that each of you know where the other stands. It's important to know how many people you've been what, experiences, etc... but once you share those  you don't really need to keep bringing them up, especially if it makes one or both of you uncomfortable.

Yes, it's understandable that your past will come up in conversations, but I think if you care about someone it's good to realize their sensitivities (such as your past) - it's not necessarily what you say, but how you say them. There are other ways to talk with your friends about your past without mentioning details that would upset him. And if there aren't, then save that kind of talk for when you're having a girls night.

My fiance and I have talked about my past, but now that he knows I don't bring it up much. There are times when an ex boyfriend's name will come into conversation, but that without a good reason. And I never talk about anything too personal that I know would make him feel uncomfortable. Lucky for  me, my fiance was a virgin before me, but I know his past would bother me if he had one.

But look at it this way, he def cares about you if he doesn't want to think about you with anyone else! :)

It's just inappropriate to discuss banging other guys in front of your boyfriend. Even if it's the past. 

I have an odd curiosity about my husband's past partners. Yet it also makes me upset to think about him sleeping with anyone else. I'm a little odd, I guess.