An open relationship is non-monogamous, meaning that both partners agree to be intimate with other people sexually or romantically. 

For an open relationship to work, you need to establish rules and boundaries, be honest about your needs, and keep up clear communication. 

Here's what you need to know about open relationships and how to make sure your relationship is healthy.

What is an open relationship?

In an open relationship, each partner is free to see other people. "This can take the form of sexual or emotional intimacy," says Chris Leeth, PhD, LPC-S, a professor of counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Open relationships are very different from cheating or having affairs because they start with an agreement between everyone involved. "The defining feature is that both partners are aware of the nature of the relationship and agree to it," Leeth says.

Just like closed relationships, "there are rules, boundaries, and expectations," that define what each partner is comfortable with, Leeth says. For example, some couples in open relationships agree only to date strangers, whereas other couples are free to explore partnerships with friends.

Many people don't realize right away that they want to have an open relationship. "Rather, the person finds his or herself stifled and frustrated, while also wanting to be in the relationship," Leeth says.

This frustration can start if you or your partner have needs that the other can't fulfill. Opening up your relationship can allow you to explore your sexuality or have emotional connections with other people. 

How to make an open relationship work

When you start an open relationship, you may need to make some adjustments to make sure your relationship stays healthy. Here are a few tips that can help you and your partner make it work:

1.  Set rules and boundaries for the relationship

An open relationship is only healthy when both partners are on board with it, and both agree to the boundaries and expectations.

"What is important to remember is that there is no concrete, right-and-wrong, set of boundaries," Leeth says. Each couple may have different boundaries that work best for them. For example, one couple may decide that outside relationships should only be sexual, while others may be open to emotional connections.

2. Communicate clearly

Every relationship needs communication, but for open relationships, it's even more important that all expectations and boundaries are crystal clear, Leeth says.

"No one is a mind-reader; if you want or don't want something, it must be articulated," Leeth says. For example, if you find yourself feeling jealous about a new partner, it's important to tell your partner about this rather than hide your feelings.

If you find yourself hiding any information or feelings from your partner, this may be a sign that you need to make changes in the relationship.

Many couples may not be used to this level of communication, and it can be hard to adjust. Seeing a couples therapist can help you learn better listening skills and practice open communication. 

3. Be honest with yourself

To engage in a healthy open relationship, you have to be extremely frank about your feelings. In some cases, you may be convinced that you won't mind if your partner interacts with other people, Leeth says, but when it actually happens, you can find yourself heart-broken.

"Many times this is because one partner wants to see other people while keeping the current relationship, and the other partner agrees in order to keep the relationship going," Leeth says.

If you're only agreeing to open your relationship because you don't want to lose your partner, this is a sign that your open relationship probably won't be healthy.

"Be savagely honest with yourself about whether or not you are on board," Leeth says.