23 Signs Your Girlfriend Is Cheating On You And What To Do

Identifying the signs is crucial, but being sure before confronting is paramount.

Reviewed by Shreshtha Dhar, MA, M.Phil Shreshtha Dhar Shreshtha DharMA, M.Phil MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on YouTubeFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Clinical and Developmental PsychologyExperience: 7 years
Written by , MA Akshay Nair MA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Love, Marriage, RelationshipsExperience: 4.5 years
Edited by , MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Siddharth Kesiraju MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years
Fact-checked by , MA, MSc Benidamika J Latam MA, MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Psychology and RelationshipsExperience: 2 years
Last Updated on
✔ Research-backed

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.

A girl cheating with her partner

Image: Shutterstock

“How to tell if your girlfriend is cheating” is not just tricky but also painful. Your girlfriend holds a special place in your heart. You create and enjoy special moments with her. You also cherish the time spent together and dream of a loving future.

However, if you have started noticing changes in her behavior and are worried if she is cheating on you, don’t jump to conclusions with uncertainty. It is still better to learn more about the signs that show your girlfriend is cheating. And, if you are unsure as to what signs to look for, this post will help you. Recognizing these signs can help bring clarity and avoid potential misunderstandings in your relationship. Addressing the issue with care is essential to prevent causing additional emotional tension.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • If your girlfriend has stopped enjoying your company, shows hardly any interest in physical intimacy, or provides hints of a breakup, she may be cheating on you.
  • Picking up frequent fights or getting mad at you while being flirty with others can be other red flags.
  • You may investigate the reasons for the sudden changes or confront her directly to get out of this mental agony.

23 Signs Your Girlfriend Is Cheating On You

Physical Signs

Here are some physical signs that hint your girlfriend is cheating.

  1. She’s in constant touch with another person

You used to be the reason behind your girlfriend’s addiction to her phone. She used to smile while chatting or talking to you. But now, she is enjoying talking to some other person. If you have noticed it for weeks or months, it could be a red flag indicating an affair to watch out for.

  1. She has a password to her phone

Has she locked her phone suddenly? If she has been an open person all the while and now locked all her devices, it could be suspicious. In case she doesn’t have a valid reason, it adds more to the distrust.

  1. She dresses differently

Your girlfriend starts to care about her appearance after years of wearing a baggy t-shirt and jeans, tying a messy bun, and not putting much effort into her looks. She started experimenting with her looks and is trying new outfits, which could raise a suspicion that she could be trying to impress someone other than you.

  1. She doesn’t want your company

She starts to spend more time with her friends, ignoring that you are alone. Also, she is not inviting you to any of her parties and insisting you stay at home and play the game. It shows something is wrong with her intentions and you need to be more observant to notice the signs before she betrays you.

protip_icon Quick tip
Observe her behavior during dinner dates. If she appears more interested in responding to messages on her phone rather than talking to you, it’s a sign that something isn’t right.
  1. She’s disinterested in physical intimacy
She is losing interest in getting intimate with you

Image: IStock

Is she losing interest in getting intimate with you, or her desire for getting closer has changed? You may check for changes such as how often she is kissing or hugging you. It can help you be sure of her thoughts and check for signs of infidelity.

  1. She avoids public display of affection

Your girlfriend used to be happy with you, be it at a restaurant or in the mall. But now, she feels uncomfortable when you hold her hand or hug her in public. It shows she is getting away from you. Her lack of interest in you could be a reason for you to doubt her intentions.

  1. She shows through her body language

Closed body language can be a sign of guilt and lie over cheating on their partner. You may look for cues such as avoiding eye contact, folding arms over chest and turning away.

  1. She doesn’t care for you

In a relationship, partners care for each other. But if your girlfriend stops caring for you, overlooks your caring gestures or is not paying attention to you, it shows something is wrong between you both.

  1. She provides hints of breakup

Is she blaming you for everything? Is she picking up fights for no reason? When your girlfriend indirectly shows that she is not happy in the relationship, it could be a sign that she is not interested in you anymore. Perhaps the unnecessary fights are a ploy to break up with you.

  1. She isn’t ready for the wedding

At the beginning of the relationship, you both have agreed on spending life together. However, she changes her plans and postpones the wedding without any strong reason, which means she is an unreliable partner. She might even try to deceive you and tell you she doesn’t want to marry, giving no valid reason.

  1. She doesn’t share your plans

When you are in a relationship, you accept that you and your partner are well aware of each other’s plans. But your girlfriend doesn’t let you know about her whereabouts, keeps secrets from you or hides her plans from you. It could hint at something more serious.

protip_icon Did you know?
According to a study, women are much better at recognizing cheating men from the pack than men are at identifying unfaithful women (2).
  1. She doesn’t crave your attention

She complained that you were not paying attention to her, but now she is not bothered even if you don’t call her or ask about her wellbeing. It seems she doesn’t want you to think about her.

  1. She turns off notifications

Your girlfriend’s phone is not buzzing with messages and notifications as she has kept her mobile on silent mode.

When you ask her why she doesn’t give you convincing answers. This can make you raise your eyebrow.

  1. She doesn’t make an eye contact

One of the visible signs your girlfriend is cheating on you is when she is not making eye contact with you. Try to cross-examine her. If she is cheating on you, she would be guilty of her actions. And so, you might find her escaping from your sight.

Emotional Signs

You might not always notice the signs of cheating. But, sometimes, you could feel it from your girlfriend’s actions.

  1. She gets bored of you
She gets bored, How to tell if your girlfriend is cheating

Image: IStock

Are you having silent dinners these days? No more planning for vacations as well? If your girlfriend is not reacting and doesn’t show any interest in your relationship, it shows she is bored of you, and has new priorities in life.

  1. She complains about the relationship

When someone is cheating, they start to blame the other person for everything. If you find your girlfriend blaming you, it can be a sign of her guilt.

  1. She keeps changing her schedule

Is your girlfriend working late often or has little time to spend with you? Have you ever caught her sneaking out of the house? Does she postpone your scheduled dates and show she is busy all the time? If yes, all these signs show that she is avoiding you and could be busy with some other interest.

  1. She doesn’t want to share with you

In a relationship, partners are emotionally attached and share their dreams, plans, and other stuff. But for a few days or weeks, your girlfriend is not happy to share anything with you. She is isolating you at times too. It shows something else is on her mind, and not you. She is also not as communicative as she once used to be and does not share her thoughts with alacrity anymore.

  1. She is flirty with others

Has your girlfriend always been a flirt? If you notice your girlfriend flirting unusually with others in your presence it could mean that she doesn’t respect your feelings. On the other hand, it could also be a sign that she has someone else in her life now.

  1. She gets mad at you
She easily gets irritated, How to tell if your girlfriend is cheating

Image: Shutterstock

Whether you are teasing her or loving her, she easily gets irritated. She might even make a scene and blame you for her bad mood. There could be another interest in her life, hence she is going away from you.

  1. She picks fights with you

Fights can be common in a relationship, but if it has reached an alarming level and sometimes for no reason, it could be a sign of disturbance. Your girlfriend could be playing a tactic on you to escape from the situation. Overall, she may not pay heed to your emotional needs.

22. She criticizes you constantly

You may notice a sudden change in her behavior. The person who wholeheartedly appreciates everything you did for her now criticizes you for everything. Even your small flaws are being pointed out and criticized. She seems constantly dissatisfied with your efforts to please her and finds faults with everything you do. This can be because she has lost interest in you and is always comparing you with her secret lover.

23. She has less patience

She seems to have almost zero tolerance and blasts at you for the silliest reasons. She is acting dismissive and always seems to be frustrated with you. She may also give you frequent ultimatums and threats about ending the relationship if you do not act according to her will.

What To Do If You Think Your Girlfriend Is Cheating?

If you are sure she is cheating on you, confront her

Image: IStock

If you could relate to most of the signs, you should know your girlfriend may be having a clandestine relationship. However, if you still are doubtful, you might wait for some more time and keep noticing. Consider talking to a relationship counselor if you’re finding it hard to manage your feelings. But if you are confirmed, then it is better to confront her. If she confesses that she doesn’t love you anymore and wants to break up with you, let it go. Do not force her into a relationship.

Aaron Marino, a vlogger on YouTube, shares his experience of breaking up with his girlfriend, who cheated on him for five years. He says, “I allowed it to happen because I was unable to take care of myself. I let this go on for five years until I finally understood that this was insane and deserved to be with someone who loved me and appreciated me. It was incredibly hard to break up, but I knew that if I ever wanted to be happy, I needed to end this relationship (i).”

On the other hand, if she feels guilty about it, admits she took a wrong step and seeks the last chance from you, think about it. Instead of breaking up immediately, you may take your time and make a decision. Ultimately, it is your choice, so listen to your intuitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to know if your girlfriend is cheating on you in a long-distance relationship?

Signs that your girlfriend is cheating on you in a long-distance relationship include her reluctance to have you visit her, getting confused when recounting memories or telling in a disorderly fashion. She may also talk about hanging out “with friends” but don’t give specific names.

2. How can I approach my girlfriend about my suspicions without accusing her?

Start the conversation gently and calmly. Share your feelings without making accusations, and ask how she feels about the relationship. This can help create an open dialogue and give you both a chance to address any concerns.

3. How do I tell if my girlfriend is lying about cheating on me?

When you are questioning her, you may notice that she’s nervous and her voice cracks or becomes high-pitched. She may also avoid eye contact, become fidgety, and exhibit bodily expressions such as crossing her arms, pursing her lips, and sweating. You may also check out this post on how to tell if someone is lying about cheating for more tips.

4. How can I tell if my girlfriend suddenly becomes overly defensive or evasive when I ask about her day?

Ask her what she did during the day; if your girlfriend has nothing to hide, she will gladly share the activities she engaged in. But if she changes the topic instead of answering you or gets irritated and wants to know why you are asking her the question, it may mean she is avoiding your question to hide something. However, you cannot conclude she is cheating on you just because she’s not sharing what she was up to, as there could be various reasons for her behavior.

Look out for these red flags if you wish to know if your girlfriend is cheating on you. Doubtfulness can ruin a perfectly good relationship. So as hurtful as it may seem, it is better to stay aware and address the issue than to be oblivious to cheating. So, if you notice these changes that seem suspicious, unlike her usual self, do not hesitate to confront her. Calmly ask her about what must be causing these behaviors and take a call if you can undo the damage or it is better to let go. However, be gentle, don’t make assumptions, and work on your relationship.

Infographic: Reasons Why Your Girlfriend Might Be Cheating On You

Finding out your girlfriend has been cheating on you can be heart-breaking. However, sometimes the underlying cause behind her behavior may always have been evident, yet you might have ignored it. Check out the infographic as we list the reasons why your girlfriend might be cheating on you.

why your girlfriend might be cheating on you-2 (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Signs Your Girlfriend Is Cheating On You And What To Do

How to tell if your girlfriend is cheating_illustration

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Is your girlfriend acting suspicious? Are you worried she may be cheating? Has this behavior started recently and you feel her love for you has reduced? Watch this video to learn 21 signs your girlfriend is cheating on you!

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. She Cheated On Me;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFPeqAIvud4

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Sexual unfaithfulness can be judged with some accuracy from men’s but not women’s faces;
    https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.181552

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Shreshtha Dhar
Shreshtha DharM.A, M.Phil
Shreshtha Dhar is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a professional experience of around seven years. Presently, she operates her private practice, Thought Craft, based out of Kolkata. She has special interest in the emotional and behavioral issues of both children and adults.

Read full bio of Shreshtha Dhar
Akshay Nair
Akshay NairMA
Akshay is an associate editor and former journalist with more than four years of experience. A post graduate in Mass Communication and Journalism, he has strong professional and academic background in the field of content writing and editing.

Read full bio of Akshay Nair
Siddharth Kesiraju
Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching
Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

Read full bio of Siddharth Kesiraju
Benidamika J Latam
Benidamika J LatamMA, MSc
Benidamika holds a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Assam Don Bosco University and another masters degree in English Literature from North Eastern Hill University. At MomJunction, Benidamika writes on human psychology and relationships.

Read full bio of Benidamika J Latam
Latest Articles