I am male. I have been married twice with each marriage being open. I have had several girlfriends, and on several occasions indulged in brief 'swinging' incidents in each marriage. The breakup of my 1st marriage was unrelated to these incidents. I can testify that it can work, but requires complete honesty and trust. It is way to easy for fun to give way to obsession, or for one partner to fall in love with someone new and have serious conflicts. My first wife had several other occasional relationships, my current wife only one.

My wife has met and is comfortable with several women that I have had relationships with. I do not seek out these situations, I just do not automatically deny attractions when they happen. Also, the rule is that my wife always has veto power over any particular plan, date or person, though I have never yet picked anyone that she did not approve of. One time, when a relationship later got too complicated because the woman was single and wanted too much of my time, we ended it.

If anyone thinks they want to try it, they should sit down and block out the rules, and then adhere to those rules very strictly. Some people have the ability to share partners or use freedom wisely, some do not. You can enhance your life, or mess up your life. If in any doubt, don't try it.