Curious About Throuple Relationships? Here's Everything To Know

If you're familiar with the terms "open relationship" and "polyamory," you might be curious what throuples are all about. While not exactly the same as polyamory, throuples are one type of ethically nonmonogamous relationship, and they come with a unique set of benefits—but also challenges.

A throuple, which is a mix of the words couple and three, is a romantic relationship between three people, in which all three people are intimately linked with the other two. Media representation tends to portray throuples as two bisexual women and one straight man, but they can consist of any combination of genders.

Throuples can also be just as committed to one another as duo couples, despite lacking the legal framework to recognize their relationship by law.

As relationship expert and certified sex therapist De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar, LCSW, CST, tells mindbodygreen, throuples don't have a hierarchy but rather are balanced. "Throuples can also be closed, but they don't have to be, meaning that each partner may have additional partners if they have an open relationship, or it can be a closed thouple or 'triad,' where it's just the three of them," she explains.

A throuple isn't exactly the same as polyamory or an open relationship, although they can overlap. All three terms are subsets under the umbrella of ethical nonmonogamy.

Polyamory, for instance, refers to the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships with more than one person, with the informed consent of all people involved. Polyamorous people believe and honor the idea that it's perfectly normal, desirable, and possible to love, be attracted to, and be intimate with more than one person at a time.

An open relationship is a relationship in which a romantically bonded couple (or throuple!) decides to have sex with people outside of their relationship—usually without forming long-lasting emotional bonds or commitment. (Here's how to ask your partner for an open relationship, if that's sparking some curiosity.)

It might be easy to assume that if three people have decided to date each other, they wouldn't get jealous of each other, but that is not always the case. As Blaylock-Solar tells mindbodygreen, jealousy is something we all have the capacity to experience, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing.

One might think that people in throuples are only in it for the sex, and while a flourishing sex life can be a benefit of this relationship dynamic, many throuples will tell you it's not all about sex.

This one ties into communicating, but you'll need to set ground rules and boundaries in a throuple relationship, just like in any other relationship. Whether you're thinking about sleeping arrangements, or if the throuple is open or closed, all three of you need to be on the same page, Blaylock-Solar says.

And of course, working with a therapist is always a good idea if you're in a throuple or considering entering one. According to relationship expert Beth Bloomfield-Fox, LPC, "Meeting with a therapist or relationship coach who is poly-aware and accepting before introducing new parties and dynamics is a great first step."

As Blaylock-Solar tells mindbodygreen, one benefit of throuple relationships is that they require open-mindedness and a certain dismantling of how relationships "should" be. Many people in throuples have had to examine how religion had a role in their upbringing and beliefs, for instance, she explains.

Clear and direct communication is a huge part of all ENM relationships. Being able to have the sometimes challenging conversations about expectations, rules, and boundaries is what helps throuples navigate the relationship and stay connected. This results in increased emotional intimacy between all parties.