All relationships go through different stages and cycles, whether we realise it or not. Are you madly in lust, or passionately in love?

Do you adore or hate each other, or are you simply going through a period of feeling irritated and sick-to-death of one another?
As Denise Knowles from Relate says: 'All good relationships are destined to go through ups and downs no matter if you've been together two years or 20 years.'
So what stage is your relationship at, and where are you heading next? Here's what you need to get through both the good times and the bad.

The Romance Stage

What is it?
We're talking goofy grins, soppy texts, sexy underwear and spontaneous sex, yes you're in the hearts and roses stage of your relationship and things couldn't be better.

The good news
Right now you can't get enough of each other. You want to gaze adoringly into each other's eyes, and think willingly about each other 24/7, which is good news for your intimacy and connection levels and fantastic news for the longevity of your relationship.

The bad news
'This is an OTT phase', warns relationship expert Tracey Cox and author of Hot Relationships (Corgi) so you tend to overlook each other's shortcomings. 'No matter how long you've been together, this can later lead to difficulties in your relationship as you willingly skim over potential problems.'

The answer, says Tracey, 'is to enjoy letting your heart rule your head for a while but don't make any rash decisions that you could later regret.'

You'll know you're moving on...
The next part of the cycle will be on its way when the urge for a bit of time apart keeps entering your head. However, don't mourn the romance cycle passing, it'll be back before you know it.

The Reality Stage

What is it?
This is the post-honeymoon stage, the cycle where you start to nit-pick and bicker realising that your 'perfect' lover is not so perfect after all. It's still love but with the romantic edges rubbed off.

The good news
No matter how many times you are at this stage, it will help you to define and redefine your relationship. Not only will it help you move to a deeper stage of understanding but also with all the lust out of the equation, it can help you to confirm the real reasons why you want to be with each other.

The bad news
You may find your negative thoughts a little nerve-wracking and might start to think that you're not right for each other.

If you do feel this way, don't do anything hasty. 'All that's happening', says Tracey Cox, 'is you are reconciling your glorified image of this person from the romantic phase with a more realistic view of who he is and how you fit together.'

You'll know you're moving on...
The good news is you're ready for the next and more committed cycle when it hits you that faults and all, you love this man for who he is.

The Commitment Stage

What is it?
This is the united stage of couple-dom - or as Bridget Jones once said, you've turned into a 'smug married'! In fact you are so secure with each other that you're probably wearing the same clothes and finishing each other's sentences.

The good news
Whatever you decide make sure you are both doing it for the right reasons and not just because you feel it's something you have to do. If you're both really excited about the future, then this will keep your relationship buzzing.

The bad news
Be careful, warns Tracey Cox. 'Be sure to instigate serious discussion on what you both want when planning things and don't just assume you're on the same page.' If you don't, then it could cause problems.

You'll know you're moving on...
If one of you is more thrilled than the other with plans you're making, then you're heading for what's known as the resistance stage.

The Resistance Stage

What is it?
This is the toughest cycle of all as it's all about arguments and happens as you both battle and struggle with the balance of power in your relationship.

The good news
Regardless of how tough it may be, resistance is the way most of us work out if a relationship is worth all the effort.

Tempting, as it is to throw away what you have out of sheer frustration and anger, Denise Knowles suggests a better way to cope is take a deep breath and think of your relationship in the following way. 'When you have good times,' says Denise, 'consider that you are paying into your relationship bank balance, and when you have bad times you are simply drawing from it.'

The idea being to not panic and run when things get tough but balance up all the good against bad and use this to work out if it's worth saving or not.

The bad news
'Couples fight because we all have own belief systems so when someone has a different view or tries to assert their view over ours, we feel challenged and hostility sets in,' says Denise Knowles.

You'll know you're moving on...
Thankfully you'll know you've finally made it through when suddenly your differences matter less and you begin to feel connected again.

The Resolution Stage

What is it?
Resolution happens in a relationship when you either start to realise just what it is you have together, or simply remember how lucky you are to have found each other. You may feel a sense of peace, or have the simple realisation that you've been fighting for nothing.

The good news
Your relationship is at its strongest now, as is your faith in each other because you literally feel you know each other inside and out having weathered some hard times. The good news is you've never felt so loved and are coming full circle and will soon be able to welcome back some much-needed romance into your lives.

The bad news
Hopefully, there won't be any. As long as you realise that going from a high to a low and back again is not a sign that things aren't meant to be, but as a sign you're part of a genuine and working relationship.

What happens next?
To keep things working make sure you keep the lines of communication open, as Denise Knowles says; 'Couples who remain blissfully bonded for life, realise that things are not always going to be rosy in the same way that things are not always going to be bad.'

The chances are you'll start this cycle again at some point - some stages will last longer and some will be over more quickly. At least the next time around, you'll be able to recognise where you are!