Relationships can be stressful to say the least. Sometimes, they’re so stressful that it can lead even the best intentioned women to stray down a dangerous path of infidelity that neither they nor their partners see coming.
Here are four things that can lead a woman to cheat.

Rough transitions
If a woman is faced with a sudden change in her life, maybe a death or job loss, she may seek comfort with someone new to distract her from the reality of what’s going on in her life.

“If it is graduating, turning a certain age, losing a parent or advancing the relationship status, women become introspective,” says Renne Lee, a relationship expert with a masters in psychology.

“Even if it is something she wants, such as just getting engaged or graduating, the transition can stir up an array of emotions about where her life is going or where she is in it. The discomfort of change can trigger an impulsive desire to find someone to take her focus off the change and be a diversion for what she is going through.”

Lack of appreciation
When women feel unappreciated in their relationships, sometimes they seek elsewhere to get what they’re missing. Feeling unappreciated can not only be frustrating but can also lead to depression. Cheating for some women isn’t an indication they’ve fallen out of love, but a sign that they’re emotionally starved.

Feeling taken for granted can leave a woman feeling very vulnerable and alone. This may lead her to act out as result and seek validation in the arms of another man. A woman who feels she doesn’t matter, is more likely to cheat with someone who shows her that she does in fact matter.

Preparing to break up
If a woman feels her relationship is about to end, she may decide to test the waters before leaving the relationship for good. An emotionally immature woman may cheat before leaving because she’s scared of being alone. In situations like this, the woman’s heart is no longer invested in the relationship and is ready to move on with someone else.

Sexual dissatisfaction
Men aren’t the only ones that cheat for purely sexual reasons. Relationship experts agree a healthy sex life is vital to the success of a relationship. Sometimes women may feel uncomfortable sharing with their men that they simply aren’t getting the job done. In cases like this, women may find themselves in the arms of someone else who can satisfy them.

Cheating isn’t always black and white. There are many factors that can play into a woman’s decision to be unfaithful. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is to maintain a healthy level of communication in your relationship to avoid the need to cheat.