When it comes to credit and relationships, what you don't know can hurt you -- and cost you big bucks.

Not understanding how credit works can be especially risky for women. Although credit is blind to gender, some situations can affect women more than men.

Women are more likely to give up an individual income in favor of becoming a stay-at-home parent or caregiver. Since they often earn less in the workplace than men do, many women are disproportionally affected financially by divorce. And because women live longer, they are more likely to have to deal with the death of a spouse.

All of which makes it critical that women be cognizant of credit so that they can keep their financial lives on track. Here are six facts about credit that women need to know.