MARRIED couples across Britain are ditching monogamy for threesomes and playing away – and claim they are just as happy as those in regular romances.
It was traditionally thought that with just two partners were happier and more committed.
But a study of 25,000 people for The Journal Of Sex Research found monogamous and non-monogamous unions have the same level of satisfaction in their relationships and sex lives.
Around one in 25 of us has experienced – which involves having multiple relationships – while one couple in 25 has tried swinging.
Here, we speak to four couples who have enjoyed non-monogamy . . . 
One wild evening years ago was enough for us
Michelle Lopez and her husband John once had a — but would not do it again.
The couple, from Wimbledon, , are parents to children aged 18 and eight.
Michelle, 35, who is a model, says: “After we met in 2013 we drew up a bucket list of things we wanted to do — and on there was a threesome.
“We eventually hooked up with another woman.
“It was fun but we were young — it was at the start of our relationship.”;
After they in 2015 the couple discussed the idea again, but Michelle says: “It was a huge no.
“Our wedding vows — that commitment — changed our feelings.
“We have a good sex life and I don’t want to have sex with anybody else now, and nor does he.
“We couldn’t handle the jealousy and it would lead to mistrust.
“We respect those who enjoy threesomes and make it work but for us we did it once and that bucket list box was ticked. The fear of losing someone you marry is too much to do it again.”;
John, 36, a recording engineer, says: “When we first met we were young and keen as a couple to try new things.
“Threesomes are on many people’s sex bucket lists.
“It’s good to be open, especially at the start of a relationship, as it sets the tone for better communication. Once we married, we were focused on Michelle’s pregnancy and then our needs and desires as a couple changed
“For us, marriage and growing our family changed our needs in the bedroom — we were a family of four.
“Michelle and I talked openly and decided we wanted our marriage to be just us.
“It doesn’t mean we don’t try different things as a couple but adding someone else into the mix when you have kids and a marriage isn’t what we want.
“It would ruin things and cause us both jealousy.
“We made the decision together. We love being in bed together and constantly work on making sure each other’s needs are met.
“We don’t want to break something that is so precious.”;
Extra person in bed adds excitement to experience
AFTER having affairs in secret, Rae Michaelson and husband Josh were on the brink of divorce.
But instead of ending their 27-year marriage, the couple, from Billingham, , decided to have a polyamorous relationship.
They are currently dating the same man, who they have threesomes with, but have also had lovers of their own.
Rae, 46, says: “An extra person in the bedroom adds excitement and depth to the experience. It lets you bond with each other as a couple on another level. There are things we’ve learned with other people that we then try with one another.
“We have been sexually active with other people alone but everything is communicated beforehand.”;
Relationship coach Rae says polyamory has helped her communicate better with Josh, 55, a leather maker, and credits it with saving her marriage.
She adds: “The survey doesn’t surprise me. It’s time people realised polyamory can provide loving, long-lasting relationships.”;
We meet other couples and swap partners. It makes us closer – we have fun together
Hairdresser Tanya Murom and her husband Ash credit their love and trust to swinging.
The pair, from Leeds, have been married for six years and say they have a level of communication that most couples “can only dream of”; thanks to their open relationship.
They began going to swinging clubs after a friend suggested a threesome.
Tanya, 35, says: “We said no, due to being friends with this person, but it got us talking between ourselves and we agreed we would like to try swinging as a couple.
“We went to a few clubs and at first we would have sex while others watched us — that’s called soft play.
“Then I was with another girl while Ash watched, and then we slowly developed from there. Now we meet another couple and swap partners.
“It makes us closer. We have fun together but we always come back to each other and have such deep communication.
“The trust we have between us is something that I think increases because of swinging.
“We know that we would never cheat — we watch out for each other and care about each other’s needs.
“We agree when and how we swing. We have safe words and then we always have what we call ‘reclaim sex’ when we get home.
“And it is passionate, brilliant and truly meaningful, thanks to what we have done before.”;
Ash, 32, who owns a window cleaning company, says: “I am not surprised by the results of this survey. I think monogamy is actually quite old-fashioned.
“I love the fact that we made the decision to start swinging together. I am very open about what we do.
“Some people are surprised but I say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it — I would recommend it to anybody.”;
We have paid for him to have sex with escorts. He’s happy and I’m happy too
CHEF Ejiro Murolo allows hubby Antonio to have sex with other women to satisfy his high sex drive.
The pair, from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, have been married for four years and are very much in love.
But Ejiro, 36, says she has a lower libido than her spouse so she lets him have flings with other women and even pay for sex.
She says: “He loves me and I love him. We are committed.
“I am practical about love and sex. He knows the rules and he can only have flings with people we don’t know — one-offs — and he has to tell me each time.
“We sat down and discussed it. We even have a written agreement so we know the boundaries.
“We have paid for him to have sex with escorts too.
“He is happy and I am happy too.
“He makes a special effort to make sure I am comfortable and happy in every area of our lives.
“I don’t get jealous. We have huge trust — and he is not doing anything behind my back.
“We also have a wonderful sex life together too but I only want sex about once a week.
“There are some nights I am exhausted from work and glad I don’t need to perform in bed. This arrangement works for us both.
“We are very happy, and happier than we would be if Antonio didn’t have sex with other people.”;
Antonio, 42, says that having sex elsewhere has brought him and Ejiro closer.
He adds: “Our relationships shows a great level of trust.
“Many people might think I am being selfish and that’s fine. If your sex drives differ then being open about it and finding a practical solution means fewer arguments and less chance of you breaking up.
“If I hadn’t been clear about my needs and Ejiro had not recognised her desires were lower . . . 
“Without being open to a way of keeping us both happy, we would have split.
“It has kept our relationship alive and we respect each other even more now.
“She knows what I am doing and can ask anything.
“I do worry Ejiro may get jealous but I worry more about her leaving me.
“When we make love together it is different and more intimate than a fling.”;
