When you think of men in relationships, do you tend to think that they really can't stand commitment, and would much rather keep their freedom? Do you think they tend to cheat? If you have these and other negative ideas about men in relationships, then you're probably having a hard time finding a healthy, loving relationship with a man.

But there are three truths about men in relationships that most women don't know or don't believe. Knowing these facts will actually help you open up to better relationships with guys. The opposite is also true -- not believing these truths will only make you miserable with time.

#1 - Men don't need to chase women to fall in love with them.

Many women have this misconception -- in order to make a guy fall in love with them, they have to play hard-to-get. The problem is that some women take this idea to the extremes, which is never a good idea. It's good not to fall for his flattery too easily, but it's never a good idea to be unappreciative whenever he gives you a gift, for instance.

You'll have to remember that while men like the chase, they don't NEED to chase. It's entirely possible for a guy to fall in love with you simply because you're you, so don't make it harder for him by playing unnecessary cat-and-mouse games.

#2 - Men feel emotions too.

Another unhealthy idea that many women have about men is that men are unfeeling critters who can't take a hint. You've probably been there before -- when you try to bring up a problem in the relationship, he seems to shrug it off as something trivial. And when you insist on talking about it, he says something like, "Why are you being so dramatic?"

It may be annoying, but it's simply a man's way of saying that he can't handle the intense situation you're putting him in. Pressing the issue will only make things worse, which brings us to the third shocking truth:

#3 - Men want to be in relationships.

You'll be surprised to know that most men are actually looking for that one woman they can settle down with for the long-term. And they're actually willing to commit to one woman -- but only as long as it's not hard for them.

This is perhaps the most important truth you'll need to realize when it comes to men in relationships -- the easier it is for him to feel attracted to you, the more likely he is to commit to you. Try to avoid the usual hang-ups that other women have with their men, such as nagging and bringing up problems. Instead, focus on creating a happy, healthy relationship for the two of you.