Experts Reveal 21 Unmistakeable Signs He's Cheating On You
It's time to confront him about where he's really been.
pablocalvog, Photospirit | Canva Every woman in a relationship worries about infidelity, but unless he stumbles in late at night smelling like cheap perfume, it can be tough to tell if your man is having an affair. We want to help you out, so we asked a few experts for the biggest signs he's cheating on you.
Here, experts reveal 21 unmistakable signs he's cheating on you:
1. He takes or makes phone calls in private
Although there may be a need for privacy when taking or making phone calls, if your partner retreats to the other room every time the phone rings, there may be something more going on — especially if this behavior is new or has suddenly become more frequent. —Michael Howard
Pexels / Timur Weber
2. He deletes the text history on his phone
Most people don't bother deleting old text messages (at least not until the phone is full). If your partner makes sure that old messages are deleted — or worse, he deletes them as soon as he finishes a conversation with someone — there may be more going on than just texting. —Michael Howard
3. He maintains multiple e-mail or social media accounts
If you discover additional or hidden e-mail or social media sites, things are almost certainly not good. Simply put, people in committed relationships do not need to maintain accounts that their partners don't know about. If you discover one of these, it is time to be concerned. —Michael Howard
4. He avoids family or other social events
Infidelity, whether physical or emotional, will always result in lost time with friends and family. If your partner avoids social gatherings or activities, leaves early or arrives late because of some project or task, there may be a strong chance that he is spending time with someone else, whether on the phone, the computer, or in person. —Michael Howard
5. He suddenly spends tons of time with another person
If your partner is suddenly spending a lot of time with a colleague, co-worker, friend, or even an acquaintance (particularly if that person is of the opposite gender), you may want to learn more about this relationship and the possibility that there may be an affair going on. —Michael Howard
6. He gives gifts or frequently volunteers to help another person
Although it is nice to give gifts and do kind things for friends, family members, and even strangers, if your partner frequently gives gifts (especially those that are costly, take time and effort to prepare, or have significant meaning) or volunteers to help out with projects around someone else's home, this may be a sign that he is having an emotional affair. —Michael Howard
7. You notice a different scent on him
Whether it's another woman's perfume or possibly a different brand of soap from showering elsewhere, your senses don't lie. If he's coming home freshly showered after a full day of work, it's a hint that he's having an affair. —Wendy Kay
8. He doesn't touch you as much
Sometimes affection drops off a bit due to poor communication, unresolved issues, or a recent argument. If this is unexplained behavior or he is repelling you with odd excuses, you may have a hint. At a minimum, you have an issue in your relationship that needs to be addressed honestly. —Wendy Kay
9. He dresses differently
Has your husband started to dress a little differently or does he keep his vehicle a bit cleaner? Has he been acting slightly happier and more cooperative, yet all of a sudden he is busier and leaving the house more often? If so, take heed. Take interest in his new activity/involvement if you're curious about what's really going on. —Wendy Kay
Pexels / The Lazy Artist Gallery
10. He's gone longer
Does your man usually take the dog out for a half-hour run every day, but now it's a 60-90-minute walk-run? Who is he running into all of a sudden at the dog park or in the neighborhood? If it's not "chatty Kathy," you may have a hint. Go along once in a while. —Wendy Kay
11. He picks fights
Is your husband starting arguments that end up in him leaving the house a lot? Are his garments coming up missing here and there? If so, something is going on! —Wendy Kay
12. He's being extra secretive
When your husband suddenly has a change in his "privacy" attitude — all of a sudden you're not supposed to know his whereabouts or who he's talking to on the phone and it's not close to your birthday, anniversary, or upcoming gift-giving holiday — I think you know. —Wendy Kay
13. There is a change in the emotional quality of your relationship
This may be shown as your partner is unengaged or overly engaged. We all, of course, go through emotional changes. However, you may notice that your partner's attitude has changed toward you over time. They may have become more self-absorbed and less interested in you or the relationship. Often, your partner may reject your offers of affection. Your best approach here is to pay attention and be curious. —Donn Peters
14. He's extremely angry
Anger and criticism that borders on cruelty are hard to take for all of us. Your partner may treat you with rudeness or impatience. He may be more controlling and more critical than usual. You may sense an increase in the degree of unhappiness in your spouse that is difficult to understand. With some partners, you may see an increase in happiness as a result of being involved in an affair. —Donn Peters
15. You notice an increase in his work or his time spent away from home
Work can be demanding. During these times of economic stress, most workplaces are demanding more and more from their employees. Workplace relationships can develop into romantic relationships simply because the amount of time spent together on a common task tends to bond people together. If your partner has trouble with boundaries, this could lead to a problem for your relationship. —Donn Peters
16. He pays an unusual amount of attention to his appearance
This would be especially telling if up until now, your partner has not shown much attention to his appearance. If your partner is having an affair, he has found a new source of love and affection. Looking good for his paramour is very important. —Donn Peters
17. He's overly defensive
Defensiveness exists for many reasons. In the past, were you able to discuss issues openly and calmly? What you are looking for here is an increase in the normal amount of defensiveness. —Donn Peters
18. His appearance has changed
Your partner, who previously dressed conservatively, is now suddenly buying designer boxer shorts and more trendy clothes. Or your partner, who never spent much time grooming himself, is now fussy about how his hair looks and uses grooming products he's never used before. —Susanne Jorgensen
19. His behavior has changed
Your partner, who usually avoided office parties and events, is now constantly attending them "for the sake of his career." Or your partner suddenly takes up and becomes obsessed with a new hobby or sport that keeps him away from home. Or your partner who usually is home for dinner every night now "works late" and takes more frequent "business trips." —Susanne Jorgensen
20. His attitude has changed
Your laidback partner seems to have been injected with unusual enthusiasm, seems more happy, alive, and energetic and is more kind and loving towards you, too. He may buy you more gifts and shower you with surprises, which (until now) has not been his natural character. —Susanne Jorgensen
21. He wants less "we time" and more "me time"
When you got together as a couple, you consciously or unconsciously negotiated how much "me time" you would have and how much "we time" you as a couple would have. Now, you are noticing a shift from "we" to your partner wanting much more "me" time. You aren't included to the degree you used to be in your partner's extra-curricular activities. —Susanne Jorgensen
Dr. Michael Howard is the Executive Director and founder of Healing Solutions Counseling Center, PLLC. Wendy Kay is a life strategy coach and author of Mastering the Art of Feeling Good, an inspirational and practical guide on enriching one’s life by learning how to feel good at will. Donn Peters has been a practicing psychologist and couple's therapist for over 20 years. He has taken advanced training with the Gottman Institute. Susanne Jorgensen is a Transformational Coach for breast cancer survivors, relationship coach, author, and freelance writer.