My boyfriend and I have been together for over 6 years. We started off monogamous but being young (we started dating when I was 3 weeks shy of 19 and he had just turned 20) I think we both were concerned that we were “missing out” on something. 3 years in we took a break and were both miserable from it. We realized we really loved each other but had been hurting our relationship by trying to force ourselves into the “norms” of monogamy when we both had sex drives that while sometimes filled by one another, were sometimes leaving more to be desired. We had tried including a 3rd and at first that was very exciting, but eventually it lead to more jealousy when one partner was clearly prefered over the other. So, after a month apart when we decided to recomit we discussed that the only plus side to being apart was the feeling that we had the option to act on our sexual urges freely. We decided at that point that we would be open to sexual activity together or apart and we would share the stories with each other as a way to enhance our own sex life. We made clear though that it would never cross into a romantic territory. No dates, drinks, dinners, going out to movies, etc. It would just be physical and safe fun and then we would share with each other. It has worked amazingly well because 3 years later we our still very much in love and have had not one of the high intensity fights we had periodically before. To us it seems being sexually open is a great release valve. The sex never comes before each other and our open discussion helps us to get closer and neither of us has to hide any desires or activites from the other. I know many couples heterosexual and homosexual and in every one I know of some form of straying. Having to lie or hide something from your partner, to me, is much worse than being in any sort of open relationship. However, it does take a lot of self awareness and checking your ego to accept that your partner can be sexually attracted to other people without replacing you or them meaning more or even being equal to him/her. That seems to be the hardest part.

Magnificent website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies and also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you for your effort!