Romantic relationships cost friends?

What do you think of this study that claims that a romantic relationship comes at the costs of losing two friends from your social circle?

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-11321282

It makes sense in that romantic relationships require a lot more time and energy than friendships do. But is that just due to romance itself, or how much emphasis there is on seeking romance, that friendships are devalued? Does romance have to be so time-consuming that it costs friendships?

I share others' frustration here about romantic relationships being valued over platonic relationships, and how friendships are treated as disposable when someone finds a romantic relationship (which is also expected to be sexual). I've been sad to hear of many having friends abandon them when they found romantic partners, as if those friendships meant nothing, or were merely a consolation prize to hold someone over until they found "true love". The irony is that many married people complain about how lonely they are, having no close friends left.

It's during the initial "honeymoon" phase of a new relationship where feelings are the strongest when this happens. You want to spend most of your time with your new romantic interest, they give you butterflies, etc. Obviously this means you don't see your friends as much, and this can cost friendships.

It's person by person.