Will He Cheat Again on You? 17 Possible Signs & How to Cope

So you’ve been cheated on in the past and decided to let it go. But that nagging feeling that he may do it again never leaves you. If you can relate to this, then here are some warning signs that you must be mindful of.

This article talks about the statistics of how likely people are to cheat more than once, the signs he will cheat again, and how they can cope with a serial cheating spouse.

What do the statistics about cheating say?

In this article, we will look at certain signs that can possibly suggest that your partner is likely to cheat on you again. But these are not definite indicators, and you should consult a licensed therapist to assist you with these issues 

Will he cheat again? 17 signs to look out for

If you have decided to give your relationship or marriage another chance after infidelity, you are likely to be extra careful. This research highlights the issue of infidelity in committed relationships.

While it is crucial to deal with your trust issues and have faith in your partner to salvage the relationship, there are certain tell-tale signs that he will cheat again, which you should not ignore.

Wondering, “What percentage of cheaters cheat again?”

Will he cheat again? Look out for these signs. 

1. If he won’t give up his affair

Will he cheat again? Yes, if he refuses to stop the affair.

A husband who can’t (or won’t) give up his affair partner is not committed to you and only you. You might encounter this problem in any of the following ways:

He says he can handle being in touch with them as “just friends.”

His affair partner is toxic to your marriage. If he doesn’t recognize this (or won’t admit his weakness), he is a fool who is playing with fire. Chances are he will succumb to temptation at some point in the future.

2. If he still keeps in touch with them

Of course, I’m not talking about some crazy person who is stalking him, and he’s a perfect gentleman telling her to go away and that he’s committed to you. I’m referring to:

• Love letters/text messages/emails/voice-mails about how much he misses them or wishes they could still be together.
• Communication stating that he had to break it off because you found out
• Under the guise of “Closure,” meeting up with them, even if it’s just in public for coffee

You need to understand that many men do get emotionally involved with their affair partners. If he’s not ready to give them up yet, he’s not ready to commit to you and only you.

3. If he blames you for the affair

If he says something to the effect of: “It’s your fault. You made me do it,” then you’re in trouble. If he won’t take responsibility and blames you, you should take this as a sign that he will likely cheat again in the future and cannot truly repair the relationship. 

People who blame their partners for their poor decisions are usually incapable of taking responsibility for those poor choices. In his mind, in the future, if you aren’t perfectly meeting his needs, it is okay for him to cheat on you again.

This is different from when you ask him why he cheated, and he calmly answers you, explaining he felt deprived because you rarely had sex or that he was starving for attention because you criticized him too much. 

He’s trying to give you a reason to understand why he was vulnerable (and what you can do to help him be strong and faithful) – this is different. However, that is very different from a man accusing you of “making” him cheat or blaming his affair on you. 

4. If he is not sorry

Do you find yourself thinking, “Will my husband cheat again?”

If he does not express any remorse or regret for his actions, the chances are this is how he feels. He is not sorry to have cheated but maybe says it for the sake of it now that he has been caught. 

If he does not feel sorry for cheating on you once, it could be one of the signs that he will cheat again.

5. If he does not want to listen to you

Do you ask yourself, “Is my husband cheating again?”

Does he make you feel comfortable talking about your feelings after he has cheated? Does he listen to you and help you deal with it? If not, the chances are that he is not into making this relationship or marriage work. This is another one of the signs that he will cheat again.

6. If he cheated in his past relationships

Are you wondering how to know if he will cheat again? One of the serial cheater personality signs includes a pattern.

Did he cheat on his previous partners as well? If the answer is yes, then chances are that they are a serial cheater. It is not about you but about them. If they have cheated in the past and have cheated on you, too, this is one of the signs that they will cheat again.

7. If he is unwilling to work on the relationship

There are ups and downs in every relationship. If your partner has cheated on you and assures you that they want to move on from it and make the relationship work, great. 

However, if you see that they are not committed to making the relationship work but are staying in the union because of any kind of pressure, the chances are that they will cheat again. Lack of commitment to fix the relationship is one of the signs he will cheat again.

8. If he doesn’t respect your boundaries

When a relationship is recovering from infidelity, it is required to set new boundaries. 

For instance, you may want your partner to tell you when they are going out and who they are going out with. If they refuse to respect even essential boundaries, it is one of the signs he will cheat again. This is a serial cheater’s sign. 

9. If he is inconsiderate

Is your partner patient and considerate as you both deal with infidelity? Do they lash out at you if you become suspicious or anxious about their whereabouts? 

If they do not give you the space to deal with the infidelity and blame you for reacting to their actions, it is another sign he will cheat again.

10. If he tries to gaslight you

Did you see or hear something that made you doubt if they were cheating on you again, and they completely deflected the topic or told you it wasn’t true? If yes, the chances are that they are gaslighting you.

If your partner is gaslighting you, it is one of the signs he will cheat in the future.

11. If you are unable to trust again

If you are just unable to trust him again, chances are that you believe he will cheat on you again. A relationship without a strong foundation of trust can be shaky and lead him to cheat on you again.

12. If you catch him flirting

Does he still flirt with other people when you are in a social setting? If yes, maybe this is his nature, and he just cannot shake it off. He is not ready to be in a committed, monogamous relationship. If he still flirts with people, it is a sign that he will cheat again.

13. If he still hides his phone

Does your partner not let you touch his phone? If yes, then he may be likely to cheat on you again. If he is very overprotective of his messages and social media accounts, it means he has something to hide. 

14. If he didn’t own up to his cheating

How did you find out about the infidelity? Did he come clean on his own, or did you find out? If it is the latter, it means that he would not have told you if you had not found out on your own. How did he react when you found out? Did he try to deny it or accept it?

If he didn’t own up, it is a sign that he will do it again.

15. If he is not making any efforts

Are they making efforts to fix the problems in your relationship? If not, chances are that they are not committed to making it work. In that case, this could be one of the signs he will cheat again.

16. If he is not trying to rebuild trust

Are you wondering, “Will he cheat again?” The answer is yes if your partner is not actively working to rebuild trust in the relationship after cheating. 

Rebuilding trust requires effort, transparency, and consistent actions over time. If your partner isn’t willing to put in this effort, it suggests they may not be committed to preventing future infidelity.

17. If he lacks a desire for personal growth

If your partner shows no signs of personal growth or self-reflection following the infidelity, it may indicate that they are not addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the cheating. Without self-awareness and growth, the risk of repeating the same mistakes remains high.

How to cope with a cheating spouse

It takes two people to make the relationship work. If your partner does not want to be in a committed, monogamous relationship, you can do little about it. But if you both want to make your relationship work, you can go to couples counseling and move on from the infidelity with professional help.

With that in mind, coping with a cheating spouse can be incredibly challenging and emotionally draining. Here are five ways to help you cope with the situation:

1. Seek emotional support

Reach out to friends and family members you trust to share your feelings and thoughts. Talking about your emotions can be cathartic, and a support system can provide comfort and understanding during this difficult time.

2. Consider professional help

Individual therapy or counseling can be beneficial for both you and your partner. This is one of the best things to do if you are trying to learn how to stop a man from cheating again. 

A therapist can help you process your emotions, provide guidance on how to communicate effectively and assist in rebuilding trust if that’s the path you choose.

3. Take care of yourself

It’s essential to prioritize self-care during this period of emotional upheaval. Make sure to get enough rest, eat well, exercise, and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Caring for your physical and mental well-being is crucial.

4. Set boundaries and expectations

If you decide to work on the relationship, establish clear boundaries and expectations with your spouse. Discuss what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior moving forward. Trust needs to be rebuilt, and it’s essential that both partners understand what is required.

Watch this video from licensed mental health professional Katie Morton to learn more about the signs that you struggle with healthy boundaries:

5. Consider your options

Ultimately, you need to make decisions that are in your best interest. This may involve making tough choices, such as reconciliation or separation. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and consider what will contribute to your long-term happiness and well-being.

Remember that healing takes time, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to coping with infidelity. Your feelings are valid, and it’s essential to give yourself the space and time to process them. 

Additionally, whether you choose to rebuild the relationship or move on, it’s crucial to prioritize your own happiness and mental health.

Commonly asked questions

Infidelity is a complex and emotionally charged issue in relationships. Here are brief responses to certain questions that may come to your mind when thinking about infidelity in relationships:

• Why do people cheat on people they love?

People may cheat for various reasons, including dissatisfaction in the current relationship, seeking novelty, or succumbing to temptation. It’s essential to communicate openly in relationships to address issues before you start noticing signs he’s a cheater.

• Should you stay with a man who cheats?

Whether to stay with a partner who has cheated depends on individual circumstances. It’s crucial to assess whether trust can be rebuilt if both parties are committed to change and if the relationship is healthy overall.

• Should I give him a second chance after he’s cheated once?

Giving a second chance after infidelity is a personal decision. It can make you question, “Will cheaters cheat again?”

In making this decision, consider factors like remorse, communication, and willingness to rebuild trust. Couples therapy can be valuable in facilitating this process and determining if reconciliation is feasible.

• Do cheaters always cheat again?

No, cheaters do not always cheat again. While infidelity can indicate a breach of trust in a relationship, it’s essential to recognize that people can change and learn from their mistakes. 

Factors such as communication, self-awareness, and a commitment to personal growth can influence whether someone repeats such behavior. The outcome varies from person to person and depends on their willingness to address the underlying issues that led to cheating. 

Rebuilding trust and maintaining a healthy relationship is possible with the right support and effort from both partners.

In a nutshell

It’s crucial to recognize that the journey of healing from infidelity is a profound and often painful process. The signs we’ve discussed can indeed be indicative of potential issues in a relationship, but they are not definitive predictors of future behavior. 

It’s vital to approach this situation with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to open communication.

Infidelity can deeply wound both partners, and coping with the aftermath requires patience, compassion, and professional guidance. 

You must work together to explore the underlying issues that may have contributed to the infidelity. It’s through this process of self-awareness and healing that couples can begin to rebuild trust and find a path forward, whether together or separately.

Remember that seeking therapy is a sign of strength and a proactive step towards addressing these complex emotions and challenges. 

Regardless of the outcome, your emotional well-being is paramount, and therapy can provide you with the tools and support to cope with the aftermath of infidelity and ultimately find a sense of peace and fulfillment in your life.

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Caroline Madden LMFT

I'm Caroline Madden, PhD. If your relationship feels upside down right now, you're not alone. I help couples and individuals who are dealing with communication struggles, infidelity, or just feeling disconnected and unsure what to do next. I’m very down-to-earth in session — I talk with... Read more you, not at you — and I focus on real, practical steps that actually help you feel better. I’m licensed in several states and also offer infidelity-recovery coaching for clients who live elsewhere. I’ve written three books on infidelity (After a Good Man Cheats, Fool Me Once, and Blindsided by His Betrayal), and I have online programs available at CarolineMadden.com. If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, reach out and I’ll help you get started with a virtual session. Read less

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