Hello, me (24M) and my GF (22F) have been together for about a year and a half now. In this time we’ve discovered we have very different sex drives, I being the one who ends up frustrated because of a higher libido. We’ve had several arguments around this subject, and have come to the conclusion we might just be in compatible in that way.

The other aspects of the relationship are wonderful, I feel supported, loved, appreciated, and I’m sure she feels the same. This being said neither of us wants the relationship to end but the issue of sex is slowly gnawing away at us. This is when she suggested an open relationship where I would be able to sleep with different partners.

I was raised incredibly religious, I do not affiliate anymore whatsoever, but the residuals of the upbringing still affect me as an adult. I’ve never even considered an open relationship as something for me, as monogamy has kind of been programmed into me. I really don’t want to end things with my girlfriend, but I also don’t really understand open relationships. I feel if I knew more about how they worked it would be easier for me to think this through, so any advice is appreciated!

TL;DR: Never been in an open relationship, gf and I have different sex drives, need advice on how open relationships work