Love

The 3 Big Reasons Men Cheat (And How To Prevent It)

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man looking on phone with woman

There's nothing more effective at keeping a man from cheating than a good relationship. 

That's why if you're unsure of your relationship, then you need to know how to keep a man from cheating.

We all know that even long-term relationships and marriages have been affected by cheating, like the classic case of Bill Clinton cheating on Hilary Clinton with Monica Lewinsky. Sometimes cheating can be caused by different love languages, as said my marriage counselor, Dr. Gary Chapman.

If you don't speak the same love language as your spouse, that might be a bigger risk they'll cheat. So you need to find a way to stop them from committing infidelity early on. 

The simple element of guilt, if he so much as contemplates infidelity, is more powerful than the fear of a breakup, ostracism by friends and family, or contracting an incurable disease.

Still, there is no surefire way to keep him from ever having a moment of weakness or a severe case of dumbass syndrome.

RELATED: The Question Your Partner Might Ask You Right Before He Cheats

You might be asking yourself, can you really love someone and still cheat on them? It's up to you to determine that answer. If you believe it was a genuine mistake and that your partner wouldn't do it again because they love you, then you can give it another shot. However, if you believe that cheating means your partner never loved you, then so it be. Either way, cheating is a terrible thing to do in a serious relationship.  

If you want to learn how to make a man stop cheating then you're going to need some help. 

Here are the reasons men cheat and then some possible solutions on how to keep a man from cheating. 

1. They are no longer checked into the relationship.

The main reason why men cheat is that they have psychologically checked out of the relationship, or at least the sexual aspect of it. They may have lost interest altogether, or simply become bored with the repetitive sex. It's his fault as much as yours that the thrill has diminished, the variety is non-existent and things have fallen into a rut. He's bored and his libido demands more.

RELATED: 15 Telltale Signs He's Cheating On You + Body Language Signs To Watch For

2. An opportunity arose — and he took it.

It may be a co-worker, an old classmate who found him on Facebook, or a chance meeting with a stranger at happy hour with the guys. When a man realizes he hast this sort of opportunity at a bad time, he'll take it.

The thrill of something new like more sexual experiences makes him feel like a desirable man again. Maybe he gets lost in the moment and goes along with it "Once, for old time's sake." Perhaps a few cocktails have tied and gagged his moral compass, so he screws up.

3. He's suffering from some sort of emotional turmoil.

Men may also cheat when they find the woman they're with is making them suffer from emotional chaos, perhaps brought on by a bitter argument or fight. Men often deal with turmoil through destructive means like drinking, drugs, violent behavior, and forbidden sex. They will resort to anything to make the pain go away, and sex does a pretty good job of that.

RELATED: 'Why I Cheated' — 5 Brave People Reveal The Real Reason They Strayed

The key to keeping your man from cheating lies in preempting these conditions and situations.

1. Keep things interesting.

If you are feeling a little bored with your sexual routine (even if you blame him), then he is most likely bored as well. What prevents a man from cheating? In order to know how to stop a man from cheating and prevent cheating in the first place, you have to change things up. Be the one to initiate sex more often, and then take charge of the performance. There are many things you can do, short of bringing in a second woman, that will blow his mind. Try some of the things he used to love when you were first dating. 

2. Never let him forget you exist.

How do you deal with a man cheating on you? You don’t want to smother your man or seem clingy, but he is your man. If he's at the office late or out with the guys, you can text him a quick "I love you," "I miss you" or "I have a special surprise for you when you get home!"

Just don't ask him where he is or when he'll be home. You've still reminded him he has a woman at home who loves him and is thinking about him. Use your love to force guilty thoughts out of his mind.

3. Let him know the consequences.

Early in the relationship, you can let him know in a lighthearted way (but with a deadly serious undertone) that you will not tolerate a cheater. Tell him straight out when he's basking in the afterglow of your affection. He will remember that and think about it before he cheats. It may not stop him, but if you are still worth coming home to for him, it just might.

4. Do things with him, and for him.

Some men live for their girlfriends, and some men just put up with them. Be the kind of girl men live for. It won't make you "unliberated." In fact, it will probably make him your willing cabana boy, doing everything he can to please you.

Cook meals he enjoys, watch the football game with him, give him space and silence when he wants to read the paper or watch the news and give him plenty of brief touches and smooches so he never loses that connection to you.

5. Don't nag.

And above all, don't nag him or argue in a destructive way. Remember, you are his support system, so when you beat him up that can throw him into emotional turmoil with nowhere to turn. He doesn't have all of the options you do — tears, girlfriends, mom, or leftover pizza. The open, tender arms of another woman might just soothe his soul.

There are no magic bullets or guarantees to keeping him faithful. Just be the best part of his life, and chances are he'll be the best part of yours, and hopefully, that's what keeps a man from cheating.

RELATED: 8 Things Chronic Cheaters Have In Common

C Price is the Managing Editor of DatingAdvice.com who covers love and relationships, health and wellness, and self-care.