© Shutterstock

Saying another girl looks hot -

Sure, we all have a wandering eye when an attractive person crosses our path, but there is no need to point it out. Not only is that disrespectful, women will also feel insecure by you mentioning how attractive another woman looks.

© Shutterstock

Dismiss their ideas as “dumb” -

Don’t shut down a woman’s idea without discussing it first. Every idea is valid. After all, it’s just an idea. Dismissing it from the start will only bring a woman’s confidence down, and she may very well not share other ideas with you in the future.

© Shutterstock

Pointing out that she's gained/lost weight -

Women are constantly under scrutiny about how they look. The last thing they need is for their partner to reinforce the idea that they are not attractive. If you’re worried about a woman’s weight gain or loss, talk openly about it, not point your finger and say that they look too big or too thin for your liking.

© Shutterstock

Saying that their biological clock is ticking -

What does that even mean? That a woman is desperate to have babies? Yes, women are aware of their age and how that can affect fertility. Bringing this up can trigger doubts and even regret for women who wish to be mothers but for whom, for one reason or another, it hasn’t happened yet.

© Shutterstock

Telling them to “not get hysterical” -

Female hysteria used to be a medical diagnosis, and was used to explain pretty much any out-of-the-ordinary behavior or emotional display by women. It’s supposedly an appeal to reason, but you’re basically implying that the other person is out of control.

© Shutterstock

Asking them why they don’t smile -

This comment implies that if the woman is not smiling, she is unappealing. But being happy at all times is impossible, and humans are not pleasant to be around sometimes, women included. Bringing it up like women should be a sort of one-dimensional creature that is always smiling may trigger a sense of inadequacy.

© Shutterstock

Asking them to look more sexy -

Questioning a woman’s sex appeal can bring up a lot of insecurities. Women like to feel sensual and attractive. Implying she is not sexy enough is also saying you don’t like how she dresses, how she looks, or how she moves.

© Shutterstock

Saying “Are you on your period?” -

Similar to the hysterical accusation, asking a woman if she is on her period is a passive-aggressive move that will make women feel insecure about showing their emotions. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is a thing, but blaming menstruation as a reason for irrationality is in itself nonsense.

© Shutterstock

Bringing up an insecurity from the past -

This is a dirty move, and one that can really hurt women and make them feel insecure. Because after all, if you love her, why would you bring up an insecurity from the past? E.g. making a joke about acne, if she went through a traumatic experience with it as a teenager.

© Shutterstock

Not talking about your past -

Women rightly get insecure when a man keeps his past a mystery. It might be attractive at first, but then it just gets a bit weird. What does he have to hide, right? Is he actually married and has a family? All sorts of questions start to flood into a woman’s mind in this scenario.

© Shutterstock

Making fun of their cooking skills -

Not everyone can cook. But if a woman makes an effort, even if the result is not brilliant, be grateful. Making fun of her cooking will only put her down and make her feel insecure.

© Shutterstock

Delaying or not replying to messages -

Sometimes men are busy, and sometimes they play hard to get. Women do it too, certainly. But this indeed makes women feel insecure.

© Shutterstock

Not introducing her to your friends -

If a man keeps a woman a secret, then something's up. Friends are an important part of anyone’s life, so why would he keep her out of his social circle? Surely there is some sort of shame associated with it. See how insecure this can make women feel?

© Shutterstock

Not introducing her to your family -

And the same applies to being introduced to family members. This is especially true if you’re in a committed relationship for quite some time. Why on Earth would a man not want to introduce the woman he loves to his family?

© Shutterstock

Flirting with other women -

Women tend to feel attracted to men other women want, but when their man openly flirts with other women, it only brings out insecurity in them. After all, he’s in a relationship with you and shouldn’t “market” himself as available for other women.

© Shutterstock

Not include her in vacation plans and other activities -

Are you a couple? If so, there is no reason for a man not including a woman in his plans. This can really make a woman question her role in the relationship.

© Shutterstock

Hiding your phone -

If a man has nothing to hide, then why would he hide his phone? This is a red flag that makes many women feel insecure in their relationship. If this happens, perhaps you should talk about it.

© Shutterstock

Telling them to wear makeup -

This is just another way to say “you don’t look pretty enough and need to wear makeup to look more attractive.” It’s not nice, and it makes your partner feel insecure about her looks. Women will often wear makeup because they want to, not because their partners tell them to.

© Shutterstock

Question their outfit choices -

Every woman has her own distinct style. A partner supposedly likes, or at least accepts, the woman’s style. Questioning their outfit will only bring out insecurities, both about her fashion choices, and how her body looks in those clothes.

© Shutterstock

Criticize their diet -

There is nothing wrong with wanting your partner to eat healthier. But simply criticizing their meals won’t get you anywhere. This is also true when a woman has a different diet than the man (e.g. vegan) and he makes fun of her food choices.

© Shutterstock

Talking to your ex -

If a man stays in touch with an ex, then there is a connection there. Perhaps a connection your current love feels you should have. Jealousy, insecurity, and doubt often arise in these situations.

© Shutterstock

White lies -

Little lies can add up. And if you lie about small things, why wouldn’t you lie about some other stuff? Maybe you would cheat? Lying is never a good policy when it comes to relationships, no matter how small these lies are.

© Shutterstock

Ignoring her social circle -

When a woman invites a man to do something with her friends, that’s usually because she wants him to be part of her life, in full. When a man dismisses this, she will start to question how much he loves her and how much he wants to be part of her life.

© Shutterstock

Being flaky with plans -

Women really start to feel insecure when men start flaking on them. After all, if they love them, why would they not make that date a priority, right?

© Shutterstock

Resisting commitment -

Not every man is afraid to commit. In fact, many do want a long-term relationship. But alarm bells start ringing when a couple has been together for a while, but there is no evolution whatsoever in the direction of the relationship. Unless you’re just friends with benefits, it might be worth talking about this.

© Shutterstock

Acting single on social media -

When men start following, liking, and commenting on pictures of other women, it’s natural for their partners to become insecure about the relationship. Wouldn’t you?

© Shutterstock

Make her feel more secure -

Men can help women feel more secure by not engaging in these behaviors and making these comments. A bit of reassurance of how attractive, interesting, and loved a woman is can also help, of course.

© Shutterstock

Make her feel more secure -

Point out the unique traits that make her so special. Why she’s different from other women, and why you love her so much for it. Make her feel valued.

Sources: (The List) (TheTalko) (Her Way) (Her Scroll)

See more: Men's emotional needs in a relationship (and how to meet them)

© Shutterstock