Cheating causes problems on so many levels: it hurts the person who has been cheated on, makes the cheater feel secretive and guilty, and almost always irreversibly damages the relationship. While some couples choose to work at the problems that cheating brings, for most it is a “deal breaker” - the relationship ends because it is simply too hurtful to move past.

Cheating in relationships is actually quite common. The stats on cheating show:

• 22 percent of married or involved men have strayed at least once during their relationship.

• 14 percent of married or involved women have had affairs at least once during their relationship.

• 70 percent of married or involved women and 54 percent of married or involved men did not know of their partner's extramarital activity.

So, if cheating is so painful and destroys the bonds of love, why do so many people cheat? There are many reasons, such as unhappiness, anger, boredom, and even sexual addiction. There are two types of infidelity: emotional and physical. Research shows that women are more hurt by a man's emotional affair, while men care more if their girlfriend or wife has sex with another man.

One of the biggest reasons people cheat is that they are not being fulfilled in their current relationship. This doesn't mean that it's the other person's fault! Rather than looking elsewhere for emotional and physical connections, the cheater should focus on their own relationship. However, many people choose to see someone else and cheat on their partner rather than working on a long-term relationship, which will always takes time and effort.

Cheating may be an attempt to capture that first blush of a relationship, when everything is fresh and exhilarating. But, there is no reason why you can't have that with your partner! Relationships do take work, and too many people mistakenly believe that it should be “easy” to be in a long-term relationship or marriage. It's never easy – especially if a couple has demanding jobs, children, or little free time to spend together.

So, before you get carried away by temptation, think about the person you love. You will be causing them a world of pain and unanswered questions.

Don't let cheating get the best of your relationship! Be honest and respectful of your spouse – never hide where you're going or what you're doing. If you are feeling bored or unhappy in your relationship, put the effort into fixing it, rather than looking elsewhere for love and companionship. If the relationship can't be salvaged, it is much, much better to end it than to lie and cheat.

If you are suspicious that your girlfriend or wife is cheating, you need to take a good long look at the relationship and at yourself. If you can't trust the love of your life, you are probably with the wrong person. A relationship can only survive with trust and respect - you and your partner deserve it!