Contrary to some flawed popular belief, no gender is polygamous in nature, and no gender was programmed to cheat; it is an individual shortcoming.
You should know that some people would never cheat, no matter the situation they find themselves.

Cheating starts like a seed, it is being planted, carelessly or carefully.
On purpose or by avoidable mistakes.

For example, Alex is married to Florence, and they are In a healthy relationship. Florence knows that Alex has three very close friends, actually, his best friends. So, by common sense, she should know that these men discuss almost everything one can think of, apart from some marital secrets that are between couples – and I don’t mean sex.
Let’s continue, Florence runs into one of her husband’s best friends, Ndi (who was his best man), at the mall.
Ndi gives Florence a lift from the market to the house, she didn’t drive that day. He even came to the house, and ate, before leaving after one hour.
This happened when Alex was away for a gig at another city.
He is back, and has been home for about two weeks, but still, the wife doesn’t bring this up.
NOTE: If this were the woman’s friend, it would be understandable. Maybe Blessing gave her a lift home, and even ate the remaining afang soup.

Just imagine their child telling this to the father (Alex) it wouldn’t be a big deal, it is the wife’s friend, women doing their thing. So, after about three weeks, Ndi catches up with his guy, Alex.
Ndi: “Oboy how far? How was your trip na?”

Alex: “My brother, it went well. It was stressful, as expected, but it was successful at the end of the day.”

Ndi: “Of course, that’s good. I met Florence at the market, she wasn’t with her car, so I dropped her off. I even ate afang with corresponding fufu. Please help me thank her again.”

Alex (just knowing this and behaving like nothing happened): “Oh! Don’t go and marry oh! No wahala, I will thank her for you.”

Alex gets home, and during dinner, tells his wife he met Ndi…waiting for her to tell him he (Ndi) was at their house when he travelled, but she didn’t mention it.
The following day, he tells his wife: “Ndi says thank you once again, for the afang and fufu”

Florence: “Oh! He told you? This guy, he already thanked me three times for the afang that day, after eating. Okay o, I have heard.”

Now, tell me, if you were the husband, how would you feel? I guess you’d think it is not a big deal just reading this. Also, remember, there are people that come to your house, and you CANNOT forget to tell your partner they came. Some people are that special.
Okay, let’s continue.

Now, Alex starts wondering why his wife never mentioned this to him. As a human being, he starts having theories in his head; “My wife tells me everything, why didn’t she tell me this? Could there be something going…No! God forbid!! But, why didn’t she tell me Ndi came to the house, did she forget? How? Okay, even when I told her I saw him, she said nothing. Did she think he wouldn’t tell me?
Why would she even think he wouldn’t? He’s my best friend. Wait oh! What is she hiding… .”
A seed has been planted, carelessly. But, as a wise man, it would be tabled for discussion.

IF Alex is not wise, if he doesn’t really trust his wife, he would start suspecting his wife’s activities with Ndi; it could cause issues nobody ever imagined. Insecurity would come in, and “afterall, I don’t know what she does behind my back” could become the new wave. This can lead to CHEATING (by the man)…not an excuse, though. This can happen to the wife or the husband – the story applies to both genders. We all have common sense, but not everyone can use it appropriately.

There are situations you can avoid, by simply being wise enough to talk about over dinner or any time with your spouse or partner. It is okay not to tell your spouse that your neighbour was praying loud when he/she was out.
It is okay not to tell your spouse that the gas was exhausted, and you filled it.
It is okay not to tell your spouse that your child didn’t have a nap when he/she should because he/she was watching cartoon.
But it is not okay not to tell your spouse that his/her best friend, colleague, brother, sister, etc. came to the house.
It would definitely look suspicious.
THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN’T FORGET!
Common sense applies here.

Some people have problems they never want to share with anyone, and because of that, can’t be helped. Like I always say, a relationship without communication is as good as dead. If you really want to stop cheating, or you really don’t want to cheat, it is very simple. It is a matter of decision, having personal principles, and boundaries.
There are a lot of reasons people cheat (unjustifiable, though), but these are the main ones:

One
Like Alex, imagine assuming that his wife is cheating on him and wants to cheat too (which would be quite foolish). Do not assume blindly! Ask questions and be sure, ensure clarity. Assumptions can be very dangerous.

Two
Not being open (for reasons best known to the individual) enough to your partner or taking proper communication for granted, like Florence did. Do not take communication for granted; proper communication builds understanding and trust.

Three
Some people want “it all”.
Some people want it all; they claim their partner is not tall enough, not rich enough, not dark enough, not handsome enough, not generous enough, not curvy enough, not beautiful enough, and every other available unreasonable and flimsy excuse they can think of. By now you should know that you can’t have it all. Everyone MUST have one thing you don’t really like about them, but if they don’t, great!
You must always help them (as your partner) to become better. If it is what you can’t change, you must learn to accept and like their uniqueness.
And then, use every other thing you love about him/her to cover/make up for that particular thing that you think is not too beautiful about your partner. If a thing can’t be changed, as long as it is not unhealthy, or destructively negative, leave it; it is uniqueness.
Before you go into a relationship with a person, before you accept to go into a relationship with a person, you should put this into consideration.

Four
Some people are being blackmailed into cheating…which can be stopped, by letting the truth set them free. Very difficult, but really possible. You are being blackmailed? It is difficult, but have you tried communicating it to your partner? You are in a relationship with someone else, not yourself, so you have to involve your partner. Protect each other, support each other, defend each other, and fight against every external aggression by each other’s side.
Love conquers all.
Even if worse becomes worst, and God forbid, your partner can’t absorb it (and decides to leave); you need someone you can talk to. You can’t be dying slowly in silence, it is very unhealthy!

Five
Some people are being seduced into cheating.
If you are being seduced/tempted by a younger, nicer, seemingly sweeter, warmer, seemingly more adorable person, what do you do to control yourself? Always avoid what turns you on unnecessarily, and also avoid unwanted sexual situations, i.e. sexually compromising situations.
These situations will always come. Some people claim they get (or are actually) tempted by a younger, fresher, older, richer, nicer, curvier, taller, more muscular, fairer, or darker person.
Do you allow your hormones, appetite for sex or material things, and lust control your reasoning?
You must always try resisting that urge to yield, always think about the consequences.
Also, it is true that there are people who every other person in the world sees as more beautiful, handsome, richer, physically attractive than your partner.
It is a fact, but let this fact not be your fact; to you, let it be people’s opinion, and it doesn’t matter, because your own is that your partner/spouse is the best in the world.

To you, your partner, especially your spouse, should be: the best, most handsome/beautiful, sweetest, richest, warmest, favourite, most intelligent, number one, the only one, best friend, etc. He/she is yours, always make them know that your eyes, ears, attention, and focus are on them, and that no one comes close. Never give them any chance to doubt this for a second. You must deal with the fact that you have a responsibility to love, respect, and accept your partner.
Read this carefully, before you start a relationship with anybody, make up your mind to enjoy, love, respect, like, adore, accept the person the way he/she is.
Would you love him/her the way he/she is in the next 30 years? Would you accept any physical change when it happens to them? Don’t forget to consider this.

Six
A disrespectful/frustrating partner.
Some partners are disrespectful and frustrating. Please, stop comparing your partner/spouses with “their mates”, it is wrong. If you prefer their mates to them, do yourself a favour, quit the relationship before it becomes marriage.
When a partner is continuously being disrespected, they start looking for the respect they deserve outside.
This covers abuse in a relationship; the disrespected and frustrated partner starts cheating emotionally, and then sexually, as the case may be.

Seven
Some people get tired/bored of their partners, WHY SHOULD THIS EVEN HAPPEN?
Are you tired or bored? Why?
Actually, this happens when you stop being intentionally and consistently romantic. People tend to stop going extra extents to spice up their relationship when they eventually get married, and this is wrong!
You stopped surprising, spending on, and “spoiling” that beautiful lady because you are now married to her.
So you feel you are not supposed to or it is not necessary to make her special again, because she is now in your house, really? She still loves those sweet love notes, you know?
She is still your number one baby girl, she still loves roses, chocolate, ice creams, etc. She still seriously needs your care, warmth, and attention.
Encourage and support her, don’t quench her fire, and always compliment her.

As for the ladies, he still loves being treated like a king. As a married lady, now is the time to be sexy for him; he needs that your sexiness in his life, it is very important.
Stop being untidy and unkempt; when a person consistently looks this way, it eventually becomes a reason (an excuse) to turn their partner off, even if none of the partners notices. You don’t need to be told these things.
Don’t present yourself to your partner as if you don’t regard them; make them know you are always intentional, ready and available to impress them. Make them fall in love with you on daily basis. Let him always hunger for you, overwhelm him with your sensuality, show him you are a full course meal.

Compliment him always. Support him aggressively, and be his all round strength, motivation, and inspiration. He/she will always meet attractive, sweet, and warm people outside, don’t give them any reason to think about cheating, in fact, give them every reason to always flee from compromising situations.

Eight
Some people continue from where they stopped before their present relationship. Even when they may not really want to, but, we know how habits can be. Are you continuing from where you stopped before your present relationship? Why? Some people are just chronic fornicators (and adulterers)!
It is a very bad habit, they want to taste everything ‘opposite gender’.
Let me cut this short; if you have not cut all ties you had with a fornicating partner, a “friend with benefits”, a sex providing friend, a bed warmer, etc., please, don’t go into a relationship with an innocent person; you would eventually break your partner’s heart.

I will purposely stop there.

There are people who choose to fight to save their relationship when they find out that their partners are cheating/have cheated. But, really, what should keep you in a relationship should be the fact that:

1. You both find satisfaction in yourselves.
2. You are both bonded by fascinating love for each other.
3. You both help each other discover, pursue, and achieve purpose.
4. You both help each other become more valuable/better.
5. You both complete and complement each other.

If these don’t apply in your relationship, I’m sorry, but you are wasting your time.