The research literature generally presents a fairly positive view of married life: it is portrayed as conferring happiness, health and wealth on those who enter. But is the picture really as simple as it appears? Are methodological limitations in this area of research hindering an ability to understand the role of relationship type in the formation and maintenance of healthy couple relationships? In this article, the author examines a recent Australian study, the Australian longitudinal panel survey, Negotiating the Life Course (NLC), and in particular focuses on the relationship effect on women's health not only for those in marital as opposed to de facto relationships, but also for those women who had never married.