There are plenty of good reasons to have sex, but did you know sex can have a huge impact on your health?  Here are six great reasons why we should all be having sex tonight.

1. Sex Reduces Stress

Even though when we're stressed sex can be the last thing on our minds, research suggests sex can actually help relieve stress and ease anxieties.

• Increased oxytocin levels right before orgasm can have a calming effect, promote restful sleep and stimulate feelings of affection and intimacy.
• One study found that those men and women who had recently had intercourse responded better and had lower blood pressure when put into stressful situations —  in this case, public speaking engagements. So if you have a big presentation or have to perform in public, having sex the night before might fight off those nervous jitters.
  
• Another study found frequent intercourse is positively correlated with low blood pressure and resting heart rate in couples who live together.

2. Sex Relieves Pain

So how many of us have used the "I have a headache" excuse to get out of sex? Both men and women are guilty of this, but research shows sexual activity can actually relieve pain.

• Alongside increased levels of oxytocin, the release of endorphins during sexual activity can alleviate cramps, headaches and other body pains.
• Oxytocin has actually been shown to reduce pain thresholds by more than 50 percent.

3. Sex Can Help You Lose Weight

Sex really does the body good and it truly is a form of exercise. It can help you lose weight, plus it helps with blood flow throughout your body.

• Not only do you burn calories, your heart rate rises and circulation increases during sex.  Your organs are revived with a fresh supply of blood.
• Frequent sex has been shown to be linked to a significantly reduced risk of heart disease and heart attack in men. It can lower cholesterol in both men and women.

4. Sex Has Anti-Aging Benefits

Did you know sex can keep you looking young and beautiful?

• Sex can increase levels of DHEA, a hormone which is thought to ward of depression, promote shiny hair, glowing skin and bright eyes.  This gives a whole new meaning to the term "sex glow".
• Frequent orgasms through sex (including solo sex) are associated with a significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer in men and frequent intercourse has also been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in women. It's clear from the research that healthier people have more sex, but the question is does good health make you have more sex, or does more sex really make you more healthy? Or both!
• Sex improves continence and pelvic floor health. Sex (partnered or solo) strengthens your pelvic floor muscles - the sling muscle that holds everything in "down there" weakens with time and this can contribute to incontinence. However, sex and kegel exercises tone this muscles resulting in improved strength and also improved sexual response and the potential for intensified orgasms. So it's cyclical: having sex leads to better (and often more) sex.

5. Sex Improves Your Mood

When you're in a bad mood sex can be the last thing on your mind, but research shows it can elevate your mood long after the sex is done.

• Sexual intercourse has been linked with warding off the common cold or flu.
• A study of university students found that those who had sex 1-2 times per week had higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that can fight off infection.
• Sex can boost self-esteem. Sex with yourself or a partner, that is based on respect and care, can help cultivate positive body-image and self-esteem

6. Sex Promotes Better Sleep

• With oxytocin levels at 5X their regular levels just before orgasm, restful sleep often follows a good love session.
• A good night's sleep is linked with a range of other health benefits: healthy body weight, improved concentration, healthy skin, longevity, low/healthy blood pressure and heart rate.