Infidelity is something that many of us hope we will never have to deal with, but almost anyone who has had several relationships will be at risk for experiencing. Knowing the infidelity warning signs can help you identify if your relationship may be at risk for unraveling due to a cheating partner or spouse.

The warning signs of infidelity will vary from relationship to relationship. Often your gut instinct is the first sign that you will recognize that will cause you to research the signs your partner is cheating on you. Both women and men can be the cause of infidelity in a relationship - it is not only the male or female who is prone to being tempted to cheat on their partner, and it is not an issue limited only to heterosexual couples. The signs he is cheating on you may not be any different than the signs she is cheating on you.

Here are some of the most common infidelity warning signs:

1. Oversensitivity About Privacy: Does your partner guard their cell phone, computer, or any thing else that would reveal information on what they've been doing or where they have been? Being oversensitive about privacy can be a big clue that they are trying to hide something.

2. Constant Excuses: Some people are naturally always prone to being late. Others, who typically have always had only valid excuses on rare occasions may suddenly develop a long list of excuses as to why they can't go somewhere, couldn't be on time, or why they weren't where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be.

3. Drastic Improvements to Appearance: Ordinarily, changing one's hairstyle or clothes may not be a huge warning sign they are cheating. However, if the changes are drastic, it's a good possibility that they are trying to look good for someone else.

4. Changes in Routine: When you have been with someone for a long time, you tend to notice their routine and habit patterns. A change in routine could be a sign of cheating if you notice that something is different in their habits and day to day patterns.

5. Intimacy Changes: Intimacy changes are normal in most relationships as they progress to the different stages of a relationship. However, if combined with other signs of infidelity and cheating, your intimate relations with your partner could be a major clue. Typically there will be either a sudden increase due to guilt, or there can be a sudden decrease if your partner's needs are being satisfied somewhere else or they are emotionally disconnected from you.

6. Obvious Clues: While most cheating spouses or partners will take extreme caution to cover up any signals of an affair, often eventually as the affair progresses they will become careless or simply can't hide everything. Bank statements, cell phone records, receipts, and other items can be obvious clues. I suspected one boyfriend was cheating on me after I found a reciept for a dozen roses in his pocket. They sure weren't for me, and no, his mom didn't recieve any roses either.

These are just a few of the many warning signs of infidelity. Remember however that not always do these signs mean that someone is cheating on you. It could mean that they are experiencing stress or other problems. That is another reason these signs should not be ignored - they could possibly be signals that your relationship needs some attention.

Dealing with a cheating partner can be done in a variety of ways. Generally though you have two options: To make what went wrong right and try to salvage the relationship, or decide it is best to end the relationship and move on. Neither one is "right" for every situation, and in most cases it is going to be a personal decision on your part.

If you decide to continue the relationship, obviously the issue of infidelity needs to be addressed, otherwise it will only be a burden to the relationship and cause a lot of bitterness and resentment. Couples relationship counseling may be in order in able to move on past an affair. Your partner's willingness to save the relationship is also another huge factor - there is a reason infidelity happened and addressing those reasons can help you move on together forward.

If ending the relationship seems like the only solution, it is important that you take care of yourself and your needs. You may be feeling all sorts of emotions ranging from anger to grief to confusion. Individual counseling may not be a bad idea, especially if you are not the type of person who can easily let go of things people have done to hurt you.

No matter what the decision is when dealing with a cheating partner, it's important that you understand that it is likely not all your fault that your partner cheated and that there is likely nothing wrong with you because of it. People cheat on others for a variety of reasons, and it may have nothing to do with their feelings for you.