Many times, marriages break up due to secrets that either party have kept from each other. There are so many issues that two lovers keep from each other during the period of their courtship, but these same issues later on blow up and become a problem.

In many cases of separation or divorce, it is due to such secrets that come to the open at last. The shocks, torment and grief associated with such discoveries could be heartrending: A wife discovering that her husband is not literate after many years of marriage, a man learning that his wife was once a shop lifter and has a criminal record, and so many other similar situations.

If these were just imaginary situations, then we could laugh over them and assume that they don't happen. But these are real situations involving real people. And till this moment, not a few marriages are being torn asunder by these dark secrets when they are revealed.

How can couples overcome this problem of dark secrets in each others' lives? The answer is for both the man and the woman to open up secure channels of communication. Sincere communication is what can help both parties to be open to each other.

Now, the reality is that some issues are too sensitive to be talked about, even in private. The issues might be too weighty to be talked about in a discussion. And then, there is always the fear of the what the other party's reaction might be.

As such, other means of communication must be explored for such discussions.

For instance, emails could be sent to your partner to explain that issue at hand. It will help you both to avoid the fallout should the secret be discovered later.