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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I think DH is cheating

232 replies

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 11:17

I think DH might be cheating on me...I've noticed some weird things this last few days.
When we were at a formal event for his work last week, all my stuff didn't fit in my clutch bag so he put some of my makeup in his suit jacket pocket. A couple of days ago, I went in his wardrobe and got it out and found a little cut up strip of viagra - no big deal, he's only ever worn that suit when he's been with me...maybe he's having issues that he doesn't want to talk about. He's older than me and has been having health issues, so could be linked.

On Wednesday I was upstairs and needed a pen to write something down - his work bag was sitting in the room so I put my hand in and grabbed a pen, along with 3 condoms. I bought him this bag for Christmas last year - we don't use condoms (once or twice in the early days but these were a different brand than the one and only pack we had) and he had the snip in February. He didn't start using the bag regularly until March/April.

So I went digging. On Thursday I found a stash of viagra with a prescription date of 4th October, plus loads of empty packs in his suitcase. There were 3 left in one of the packs. I put it all back in his bag. We didn't have sex Thursday night as he has a whopping cold and went to bed earlier than me.
He went working last night, so I had a look in the suitcase again...the remaining pack was gone but all the empties still there.
None of this is conclusive evidence but pretty damning. What do I do? I don't want to confront him until I have something irrefutable.

He isn't acting strangely, he's his normal, affectionate self and our sex life is good - sex at least twice a week. He worships me.
This is second marriage for both of us and we both have DS from previous marriage. I have 50/50 with ex, so we fit our sex life around DS being at his dad's...but do have spontaneous sex when he's asleep.

He has been promoting a young woman through his work, which has helped her achieve many accolades and much exposure in a very short space of time...I can't explain further as its VERY identifying. I've met her, she's lovely and absolutely do not believe she would be interested in DH romantically, but I suppose it's not beyonce the bounds of reason that this might be an arrangement to further her success.

DH physically caught his ex wife cheating, so is very vocal against infedility...so it just seems so out of character.

OP posts:
Hawkins001 · 05/11/2022 21:45

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 11:17

I think DH might be cheating on me...I've noticed some weird things this last few days.
When we were at a formal event for his work last week, all my stuff didn't fit in my clutch bag so he put some of my makeup in his suit jacket pocket. A couple of days ago, I went in his wardrobe and got it out and found a little cut up strip of viagra - no big deal, he's only ever worn that suit when he's been with me...maybe he's having issues that he doesn't want to talk about. He's older than me and has been having health issues, so could be linked.

On Wednesday I was upstairs and needed a pen to write something down - his work bag was sitting in the room so I put my hand in and grabbed a pen, along with 3 condoms. I bought him this bag for Christmas last year - we don't use condoms (once or twice in the early days but these were a different brand than the one and only pack we had) and he had the snip in February. He didn't start using the bag regularly until March/April.

So I went digging. On Thursday I found a stash of viagra with a prescription date of 4th October, plus loads of empty packs in his suitcase. There were 3 left in one of the packs. I put it all back in his bag. We didn't have sex Thursday night as he has a whopping cold and went to bed earlier than me.
He went working last night, so I had a look in the suitcase again...the remaining pack was gone but all the empties still there.
None of this is conclusive evidence but pretty damning. What do I do? I don't want to confront him until I have something irrefutable.

He isn't acting strangely, he's his normal, affectionate self and our sex life is good - sex at least twice a week. He worships me.
This is second marriage for both of us and we both have DS from previous marriage. I have 50/50 with ex, so we fit our sex life around DS being at his dad's...but do have spontaneous sex when he's asleep.

He has been promoting a young woman through his work, which has helped her achieve many accolades and much exposure in a very short space of time...I can't explain further as its VERY identifying. I've met her, she's lovely and absolutely do not believe she would be interested in DH romantically, but I suppose it's not beyonce the bounds of reason that this might be an arrangement to further her success.

DH physically caught his ex wife cheating, so is very vocal against infedility...so it just seems so out of character.

Could the promotion be earned, from your dh ? Via official means in the company ?

BleuNoir · 05/11/2022 21:45

You're only 100% true answer now may be to get a private investigator. So sorry OP. it's not going to be an easy one to pry open.

Suppose you did find out he'd had an affair - what would you do?

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 21:57

BleuNoir · 05/11/2022 21:45

You're only 100% true answer now may be to get a private investigator. So sorry OP. it's not going to be an easy one to pry open.

Suppose you did find out he'd had an affair - what would you do?

I'm not sure...I've never been in this situation before. I'm already iffy as fuck about the blatant lying and gaslighting.

I'm having a fat glass of wine and keep thinking about more of the logical inconsistencies of his excuses.

OP posts:
Blueblell · 05/11/2022 22:01

Sounds to me like he has erectile disfunction and is not being open with you

monsteramunch · 05/11/2022 22:01

How long have you been together OP?

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 22:10

Blueblell · 05/11/2022 22:01

Sounds to me like he has erectile disfunction and is not being open with you

Could be...

OP posts:
Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 22:11

monsteramunch · 05/11/2022 22:01

How long have you been together OP?

2 years, married for 6 months.

OP posts:
silveranderson · 05/11/2022 22:14

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 21:36

They were 2023...I don't know how long-dated condoms normally are.

With a 2023 expiry date, the condoms would have been purchased a good few years ago, maybe 2018 or 2019.

silveranderson · 05/11/2022 22:17

The condoms are definitely not a recent purchase.

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 22:19

silveranderson · 05/11/2022 22:14

With a 2023 expiry date, the condoms would have been purchased a good few years ago, maybe 2018 or 2019.

Pre our relationship possibly?

OP posts:
Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 22:20

The ones in the gold pack are 2023 also...and I bought those for us in 2020 when we first started dating.

OP posts:
BatshitBanshee · 05/11/2022 22:21

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 22:19

Pre our relationship possibly?

This stinks of erectile dysfunction embarrassment not cheating. To me, anyway. But friendly reminder you know your DH better than any stranger on the internet.

And yes, the condoms would be from around 2018ish with that expiry.

silveranderson · 05/11/2022 22:24

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 22:19

Pre our relationship possibly?

Probably? Possibly? I checked my stash of condoms, all bought 2020/21, and their expiry is 2025, which is why I think the ones you found are a good few year old (at the very least).

Personally, I think your DP is somewhat embarrassed about having problems and trialling viagra, which is why his response is so off. I do not think he is gaslighting you, but I understand why it might seem like he is.

ProFannyTea · 05/11/2022 22:26

Could well be plausible but put together sounds dodgy. However I think the blessing here is he sounds clumsy as fuck at covering his tracks if he is up to no good.

HerReputationMadeItDifficultToProceed · 05/11/2022 22:32

I'm so sorry that you're going through this @Greengrassbrokenglass. What a bastard if he is cheating on you. There's no logical answer outside of cheating so I think you're going to have to go in hard and do all you can to get the truth out of him.

OldFan · 05/11/2022 22:32

@Greengrassbrokenglass If you found some of the viagra in the loft from last year, that would be before his vasectomy, wouldn't it? So, he's lying to you about why he's using them (or why he was at that point.)

Condoms only used in a past situation would have no reason to be anywhere recently used if you see what I mean. I had some for years, but they were in a drawer of junk. They wouldn'tve been in a bag or suitcase I'd recently used. Unless I'd planned to use them on the trip.

OldFan · 05/11/2022 22:34

It doesn't matter when he bought the condoms- even if it was probably years ago. They are still in date and he put them somewhere where they'd be accessible to him on a trip so he could use them if necessary.

Greengrassbrokenglass · 05/11/2022 23:45

DS is back from his dad's tomorrow morning, first thing. I won't be able to have a proper chat with DH til he's at school on Monday.

I guess I just have to get on with things until then.

OP posts:
Catastrophejane · 06/11/2022 00:36

Hmmm - having reread your responses, I’m not sure he’s cheating. This could be embarrassment due to ED.

the lying is irritating and damaging though. Does he realise that you suspect an affair? Think he needs to start being very honest with you very quickly.

make it clear you suspect an affair, so he’s aware of the situation he is in. He needs to be aware that he is damaging his marriage, so if it ED, he needs to open up about it.

Greengrassbrokenglass · 06/11/2022 00:47

Catastrophejane · 06/11/2022 00:36

Hmmm - having reread your responses, I’m not sure he’s cheating. This could be embarrassment due to ED.

the lying is irritating and damaging though. Does he realise that you suspect an affair? Think he needs to start being very honest with you very quickly.

make it clear you suspect an affair, so he’s aware of the situation he is in. He needs to be aware that he is damaging his marriage, so if it ED, he needs to open up about it.

I'm inclined to believe this is the case also.
I'm not thick, or unintuitive, but the tone and body language explaining the condoms was entirely different to when we discussed the viagra, particularly the lies.
I might be naive and wrong, but time will tell. I've limited my options for finding out for sure in the short term.

OP posts:
Aussiegirl88 · 06/11/2022 01:43

"Tried it out but it didn't work"
So why continue trying it then?

makes no sense!

IVbumble · 06/11/2022 07:54

Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of vasectomies.

ArcticSkewer · 06/11/2022 10:10

IVbumble · 06/11/2022 07:54

Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of vasectomies.

That's not what google says. What's your evidence for that? Everything I read online says ED is incredibly rare after a vasectomy and mainly a mental side effect rather than physical side effect

RedAppleGirl · 06/11/2022 10:26

ArcticSkewer · 06/11/2022 10:10

That's not what google says. What's your evidence for that? Everything I read online says ED is incredibly rare after a vasectomy and mainly a mental side effect rather than physical side effect

ED is mainly a mental effect.
Just ask him about your findings instead of snooping around.

workiskillingme · 06/11/2022 22:08

Can the people insisting it's erectile dysfunction please explain why the need for the condoms?