For millions of people, there is no greater sign of their love for another human being than their wedding ring. When couples decide to tie their lives to one another, they exchange their vows and wedding rings. The rings are meant to act as a symbol of their undying love for one another and, traditionally, are never to be removed.

However, it is becoming more and more common for individuals not to wear their wedding rings after their wedding day. Many of those who choose not to wear their rings are men, and the reasons for this vary from the honorable to the dishonorable. Below are some of the most common reasons men do not wear their rings.

1. Infidelity

This is a word no married woman wants to hear. No woman wants to marry someone unfaithful. If a man is unhappy in his marriage, bored, feeling inadequate, overly curious, or dealing with other issues, then the wedding ring might come off more frequently than it should. This situation can create concerns about infidelity.

2. Wrong size

If the ring is a very loose fit, the man’s probably going to lose it. If it’s a very tight fit, then wedding-ring dermatitis might happen after a few months. Of course, there’s usually a recommendation to re-size the ring, but who ever gets around to doing that after the wedding ceremony?

3. Discomfort

Apart from irritation, it may just feel like extra weight. For hands-on types of men, it would be in the way. If, for instance, you’re a gym instructor and you lift weights, this can result in blisters from the extra friction.

4. Carelessness

Some men take off their rings each time they’re taking a shower, participating in sports, or doing the dishes. Such men may genuinely forget to put their rings back on. If the rings become missing, the men will buy a replacement… eventually.

5. Personal Choice

Believe it or not, there are men out there who never took a liking to wearing any piece of jewelry whatsoever. Not every man is into wearing rings. Some conservative types tend to think it’s all a bit flashy. In some parts of the world, an expensive-looking ring is an invitation to armed robbers. If the ring is too tight, that finger might be at risk.

6. Job-Related

Many men have jobs that are too dangerous to perform while wearing jewelry. Mechanics, construction workers, and even military pilots often go without wedding rings because it is possible to lose a digit if their ring becomes stuck during work.

7. Health Reasons

Believe it or not, men can be allergic to the materials their ring is made of, making it uncomfortable to wear. Other health reasons for not wearing a ring include rheumatoid arthritis. Conditions such as RA cause body parts to swell and often attack joints, such as those in the finger.

This is a scary topic for some, but there’s no need for women to fear. Now you’ve got your checklist, so hopefully there should be a lesser chance of any unpleasant surprises. And if you’re religious, pray, for heaven’s sake PRAY!