"Having sex regularly can do more
than make you feel closer to your
partner—it can actually make you
physically healthier," says Hilda
Hutcherson, M.D., a clinical professor
of obstetrics and gynecology at
Columbia University and author of
Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to
Getting the Sex You Want, Need, and
Deserve. Check out a few of the
surprising perks you can reap from
great sex .
Less Stress
If you're freaking out about
tomorrow's job interview, slip
between the sheets. Research from
the University of the West of Scotland
reveals that people who had
intercourse at least once over two
weeks were better able to manage
stressful situations such as public
speaking, says study author and
psychology professor Stuart Brody,
Ph.D. That's because endorphins and
oxytocin are released during sex, and
these feel-good hormones activate
pleasure centers in the brain that
create feelings of intimacy and
relaxation and help stave off anxiety
and depression, says WH advisor
Laura Berman, Ph.D., an assistant
clinical professor of ob-gyn and
psychiatry at the Feinberg School of
Medicine at Northwestern University
and author of It's Not Him, It's You!
You don't have to climax to net the
effects, but you'll get the biggest
surge of soothing hormones if you
have an orgasm. Just one more
reason to shoot for a stellar finish!
Sounder Sleep
It's downright dreamy how an O can
lull you to sleep. That's because the
same endorphins that help you de-
stress can also relax your mind and
body, priming you for slumber, says
Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D., director of
the Sexual Psychophysiology
Laboratory at the University of Texas
at Austin and coauthor of Why
Women Have Sex. Plus, during
orgasm, the hormone prolactin is
released. "Prolactin levels are
naturally higher when we sleep,
which suggests a strong relationship
between the two," she says. But if
you're wild in the sack, take note:
Highly active sex can make you feel
more energized than sleepy. Sex
should never be a snooze, but if you
want to use knocking boots as a
sleep aid, skip the acrobatics and opt
for a subdued session.
Minimized Pain
Talk about flipping the script: "Yes,
tonight, honey—I have a headache."
The surge of hormones released after
an orgasm can help ease any
annoying ache, whether it's a
strained back or a head pounder,
says Meston. A study conducted at
the Headache Clinic at Southern
Illinois University found that half of
female migraine sufferers reported
relief after climaxing. "The
endorphins that are released during
an orgasm closely resemble
morphine, and they effectively relieve
pain," says Meston. Have a migraine
but your man isn't around? Self-
medicate by treating yourself with
some solo sex. As long as you hit
your peak, masturbating will have the
same soothing effect.
Fewer Colds
There's nothing sexy about sneezing,
wheezing, or that runny-nose look.
But getting hot and bothered can help
you avoid coming down with the
sniffles: People who have sex were
found to have higher levels of an
antibody called immunoglobulin A
(IgA), according to researchers at
Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.
These antibodies help combat
diseases and keep the body safe from
colds and flu. Save up your sick days
and use them as sex days!
A Youthful Glow
Get busy to get gorgeous: In a study
conducted at the Royal Edinburgh
Hospital in Scotland, a panel of
judges viewed participants through a
one-way mirror and guessed their
ages. Those who were enjoying lots
of nooky with a steady partner—four
times a week, on average—were
perceived to be seven to 12 years
younger than their actual age.
Regular sex promotes the release of
hormones, including testosterone and
estrogen, which can keep the body
looking young and vital; estrogen has
also been shown to promote soft skin
and shiny hair, says Meston. Move
over, moisturizer—time to turn back
the clock with some shagging.
Lighter Periods (with Fewer Cramps)
"When a woman orgasms, her uterus
contracts and, in the process, rids the
body of cramp-causing compounds,"
explains Meston. The increased
number of uterine contractions can
also help expel blood and tissue
more quickly, helping to end your
period faster, she adds.
Going horizontal while menstruating
has also been shown to help
decrease the risk for endometriosis, a
common condition in which uterine
tissue grows outside of the uterus,
causing pelvic pain and sex that
hurts, according to researchers at
Yale University School of Medicine.
Sex during your period may not sound
too appealing, but don't stress over
making a mess. Just lay down a
dark-colored towel and stick to
missionary; when you're lying down,
your flow tends to be lighter, says WH
advisor Michelle Callahan, Ph.D.,
author of Ms. Typed: Stop
Sabotaging Your Relationships and
Find Dating Success .
A More Toned Bod
Sex counts as cardio ! A romp can
burn anywhere from 85 to 250
calories, depending on the length of
the session (obviously a quickie will
be less strenuous than an all-night
pleasurefest), says Meston. In fact,
cardiologists consider sexual activity
comparable to a modest workout on
a treadmill, according to a study
published in The American Journal of
Cardiology.
Not only will your ticker get a
workout, but you'll also squeeze in
some sculpting: " Your abs and the
muscles in your back, butt, and thighs
get a good workout as you thrust
during sex," says Hutcherson. Looks
like you have a pretty good reason to
skip spin class on Sunday morning
and work up a sweat in bed.

to y'all asexually perverted peeps, she ain't saying u should be having pre- marital sex o.
go get urself a wife/ husband & bang all u want