BY A.YOUNG

According to Susan Benjamin, author of Perfect Phrases for Dealing With Difficult People (McGraw-Hill, 2007), lying activates your significant other’s red flags and makes her question the future of your relationship. That’s why you need to do more than apologize for the misdeed. “You have to make a true commitment to her to not lie again,” says Benjamin.

“Be honest with her and tell her upfront,” says Marshall Miller, a sex educator and coauthor of I Love Female Orgasm (Da Capo Press, 2007). “If you can’t have truthful conversations about this, the relationship may have deeper problems.” If she’s too demanding of your time, try a sit-down conversation that covers how much time you both expect to spend together.

WHAT NOT TO DO
Don’t lie to cover up a lie, and don’t blame her for your tall tale. Saying something like “Well, I wouldn’t have to lie if you weren’t so controlling” is guaranteed to worsen the situation.

Looking for more sex tips? Pick up the March/April issue of Maximum Fitness--on newsstands February 9, 2010.