I think that something that is part of this and poorly understood is female health and the feelings of guilt, shame and resentment that pop up in relationships.

I think that something that is part of this and poorly understood is female health and the feelings of guilt, shame and resentment that pop up in relationships. Hormonal cycles are very different in women, and are affected by age, factors like weight and inflammation and stress. Doctors tend to look at acute problems and miss the more holistic or secondary affects. My wife and I have a pretty awesome relationship, but we went through hard patches that were ultimately caused by medical conditions that neither of us knew existed. I think people pursue “other options” sometimes because they don’t know how to cope with things. As a male, these things are simpler.