Men are more likely to cheat than women, with 13 percent of married women admitting to affairs compared to 20 percent of men. But statistics won’t offer you much comfort when you’re the one married to a cheating wife. 

Whether the affair was physical or emotional, the sense of betrayal cuts deep. You’ll also find yourself overwhelmed with so many different feelings at once that you won’t know how to act or what to do when your wife cheats on you. 

We can’t make your decision for you. But we can offer guidance about how to approach this devastating situation in a way you won’t regret. Keep reading to find out more. 

1. Don’t Rush Into a Decision

Catching a cheating wife in the act can be bittersweet. After weeks or even months of suspicion, you finally know that you weren’t being paranoid or crazy – that you were right all along about your cheating wife. This can leave you feeling pumped full of adrenaline at this “victory”, no matter how hollow it is. Anger can soon follow, but don’t let this be your guiding emotion. Instead, give it time before you decide anything.  

2. Release Your Emotions

Forget old-fashioned ideas about “real men” burying their feelings. You need to let them out in some way, but be careful about who you open up to. Your buddy’s cheating wife sex jokes aren’t what you need right now. If possible, we’d advise talking to a therapist. Or, if that’s not an option, articulating your feelings by writing them down or recording yourself talking can be a big help. 

3. Take a Self-Inventory

What your wife did was wrong, she has to own that. But your marriage likely got to an unhealthy place for that to happen, which is on both of you. At the heart of all cheating wife stories is reason to stray. Consider what part you might have played in all this and how you can change the situation going forward. 

4. Confront Her

If you haven’t done so already, confront your wife when you feel under control. A wife caught cheating will often throw blame your way, but your self-inventory will have helped you prepare for this. Approach this conversation as an opportunity to gather information and tell her how you feel. Try to be calm but don’t hold anything back, this is no time for keeping secrets or hiding emotions. 

5. Forgive Her

This is the hardest step. But if you want to continue with your marriage and keep your family together, it’s also the most beneficial. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you’ve forgotten, or that everything is fine. It means you’re ready to start again, from a new and more insightful place in your relationship.

What to Do When Your Wife Cheats on You

Knowing what to do when your wife cheats on you isn’t something you can prepare yourself for. But it is a situation you can approach in a way that preserves your dignity, and your relationship. 

Above all, don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Making hasty decisions or confronting your cheating wife when you’re angry are never good ideas, especially if you want to save your marriage. 

Want more interesting insights and advice like this? Be sure to check out our other blog posts, with tips on everything from relationships to travel!