The Unexpected Health Benefits of Sex

Doing the do can help you look and feel better.

Whip Appeal - Establishing skin-to-skin contact with your lover can unknowingly lead to a sexual response by triggering continued sessions of foreplay. Your night of sleep just instantly turned into an all-night party for two. Not only does it arouse certain hormones to help you achieve the big “O” moment; it also promotes physical and emotional intimacy with your partner.  Let’s face it; sleeping in your birthday suit is much better than wearing flannel pajamas. Wouldn’t he agree?  (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Give More Love - Not that you need a reason to have more sex, but you might be surprised by just how good it is for you. From giving you a real workout to knocking out headaches, read on to find out how sex impacts your body and mind, then go have some fun! By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Boosted Immune System - Getting it in once or twice a week is linked to having super-high levels of immunoglobulin A, which helps protect you from colds. (Photo: Blasius Erlinger/Getty Images)

Less Stress - Doing the do helps you keep your cool in typically high-stress situations, such as speaking in public. It can even help keep anxiety at bay, too. (Photo: laflor/Getty Images)

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Less Stress - Doing the do helps you keep your cool in typically high-stress situations, such as speaking in public. It can even help keep anxiety at bay, too. (Photo: laflor/Getty Images)

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Better Sleep - Both endorphins and prolactin are released when you successfully…finish (ahem). The endorphins help you relax, and prolactin levels naturally peak during sleep, suggesting that the hormone is closely linked to getting more zzzzzs. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

Younger Looking Skin - People who have sex every other day appear to look seven to 12 years longer than their actual age. Researchers think it’s because of hormones released during sex; DHEA can increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles, estrogen makes skin softer and testosterone makes you glow. (Photo: LuminaStock/Getty Images)

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Younger Looking Skin - People who have sex every other day appear to look seven to 12 years longer than their actual age. Researchers think it’s because of hormones released during sex; DHEA can increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles, estrogen makes skin softer and testosterone makes you glow. (Photo: LuminaStock/Getty Images)

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Don’t Rub Your Eyes - This can be especially tricky during allergy season, but rubbing your eyes can cause wrinkles and break the teeny capillaries just under the skin, which results in dark circles. Hands off: Lack of sleep can lead to dryness, and if your eyes are itchy, OTC antihistamine eye drops might help. (Photo: Geri Lavrov / Getty Images)

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Pain Relief - Whether you have a headache or a stiff back, the endorphins released during climax have the same pain-dulling impact as taking morphine. In fact, in one study of women who get migraines, half found relief after sex.  (Photo: Geri Lavrov / Getty Images)

Lose Some Weight - Being obese and having excess fat on your body can do a number on your menstrual cycle and make you skip periods, which means you ovulate less. And being able to pinpoint ovulation is crucial for getting pregnant. FYI: Being underweight isn’t good for fertility, either. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Heart Protection - Besides just giving you a good cardio workout—you can burn anywhere from 70 to 250 calories in a single session—a study found that people who average three romps a week might enjoy lowered risk of heart disease. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

They Are Healthy - In 2014 alone, 232,670 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Give thanks that yours are holding you down.  (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

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Longer Life - Simply taking the time to reminisce on past sex sessions has been shown to add about four years to your life; researchers think it’s because it inspires a happier, healthier life. Get to making new memories!  (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)