Sex and a trip to the gym have a few things in common They both get you hot. They both get you sweaty. And both get you breathing a little harder.

While it certainly can't replace your regular workout (bummer!), sex does have its fitness benefits. What a good thing to know just before Valentine's Day!

Fitness Magazine details 10 different positions and the strengthening perks of each. Missionary (if you put a little gusto into it) can be good for your core. Doggy style gives your quads and your glutes a workout. Check out their slideshow for more details. (Be warned, though. The illustrations may be mere outlines, but they're still probably not safe for work.) And don't forget to check out AOL Health for some tips on keeping the bedroom action alive and kicking.

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Check out your fingers. Is your ring finger longer than your index finger? Mine is. Uh Oh. That means I have nearly double the chance of developing osteoarthritis, according to a recent study.

Size differences between ring fingers and index fingers have already been linked to sexual and physical ability and performance in university exams, but researchers have now discovered that arthritis might also be connected to the size of fingers.

Type 3 Finger Pattern is what it's called when people have the common male trait of a shorter index finger, and it's now been linked to arthritis of the hips and knees. More common in women than men, the mechanism that accounts for this finding -- and one linking this finger pattern with early onset menopause -- is unknown.

Sounds like I could be headed for future health issues. How about you?

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Not in the mood for exercise? How about sexercise? Redbook magazine offers tips on how to get sexually fit with a handful of easy moves that take only a few minutes each day and can (1) increase your lovemaking stamina and (2) burn off a few calories. Think you can work these sexercises into your routine, ladies?

• Kegels. Get the lowdown here.

• Fire breathing. Read all about it.

• Pelvic exercises. More on The Sexual Lotus, The Cat, The Pelvic Rock, The Hip Swivel right here.

• The Butterfly Quiver. The secret is here.
  

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It's not just a judgment call that bikinis make men stupid -- it's a scientific fact. Check out this month's issue of the Journal of Consumer Research for the skinny on this truth. Here's the gist of it.

Belgian researchers conducted tests on 358 young men and found that they made poor decisions after looking at images of women in bikinis, touching bras, and watching video clips of young women, dressed in bikinis, run across hills, fields, and beaches. Basically, men become more impulsive after exposure to sexual cues. Ever wonder why automakers place leggy models in front of high-priced cars at auto shows? This is why.

Other studies offer their support. In 2006, for example, it was determined that sexually-aroused men would do all sorts of things they might not otherwise do. Essentially, sex narrows a man's mind. When they think about sex, pretty much all they can do is think about sex. Whether or not women are blinded by sex remains to be seen -- most studies have been done on men only.

Don't let bikinis get the best of you this summer, guys, or you might end up looking like quite a boob.

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No matter what the question, chances are very good that your doctor has heard it all before. And, if she hasn't, that's all them more reason you need to ask! Sexual health is important to your overall health -- in fact, it might be more important than diet and exercise.

I know it's embarrassing, and it might make you blush. If you're so embarrassed by your question you can't verbalize it, write it down before you go so you can make certain you let your doctor know what's troubling you. Or, if you don't feel like you can talk about it with your current doctor at all, find a new doctor with whom you're comfortable.

AOL Body gives a great run-down of fairly common but still embarrassing questions that women often fail to ask their doctors -- check it out here. But, even if this answers some questions, I still urge you to discuss any concerns with your doctor, no matter how red your face gets. Safe is always better than sorry, right?

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This will undoubtedly cause a controversy among parents, but a new report suggests that kids who get spanked a lot end up more aggressive. Not only that, but the children are claimed to grow up with various sexual problems relating to their behavior.

First, the data: college students revealed how much they had been spanked as children, and then told researchers about their lifestyle at the present time. Twenty-five percent of those had urged sex without a condom -- these were the students who ranked highest on a scale of corporal punishment. Masochistic sex (or interest) was another common connection among 75 percent of these highly spanked individuals.

However there are some obvious holes in this study. For example, how do you accurately assess the history of these people who had to reach back and remember their upbringing? Like this article suggests, researchers cannot prove cause and effect. Not only that, but some people could exaggerate. Either way, this paper will probably rock the boat as many folks aren't going to appreciate being told they were raised improperly (or that they're doing it wrong).

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Some people wouldn't think sex could provide you with a dozen health benefits. But sexual health is just as important to keep up as anything else for your body, and here are 12 reasons which back that claim up! One of the most tangible results is weight loss.

Yes, you can burn calories from doing it. Lots of calories... 200 in about 30 minutes, in fact! That's like doing 30 minutes of low impact aerobics (results vary with weight). Another benefit is that sex is a pain reliever. The releasing of endorphins and corticosteroids has been known boost moods and "alleviate chronic back."

Got insomnia? It fixes that too. Coupled with increased self-esteem, intimacy, even longevity by some accounts, sex appears to be a regular panacea. But don't try and substitute it for other healthy activities (so keep eating your veggies) -- just think of it has having all these extra perks!

The 12 Benefits of Sex:

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It's not so hard to talk to kids about nutrition, fitness, and overall health. But when it comes to informing them about sexual health, not-so-hard can become oh-so-scary.

Before you draw a blank about what to say to your kids about sex education, head to the bookstore for a little advance preparation on how to tackle the "where do babies come from" questions. Experts recommend parents pick up a few books, read them, and then begin discussing the "birds and bees." Here are the books they suggest:

It's NOT the Stork by Robie H. Harris
What's the Big Secret? by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
What's Happening to My Body by Lynda Madaras
The Boy's Body Book by Kelli Dunham

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Women going through menopause who report a decreased interest in sex are more likely to also report trouble sleeping, depression, and night sweats. Although the connections between the symptoms may seem obvious (night sweats and depression can cause trouble sleeping, and fatigue can cause all kinds of problems -- including decreased sex drive), this study marks the first time menopause, sleeping, and low libido have all been connected.

The connection at this point doesn't mean much, other than more studies scheduled and doctors probably being more aware of what side-effects the medications they're prescribing might have. This does, however, strongly reinforce the difficulties many women face when going through menopause, and how symptoms can play off of each other making things even worse.

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The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force released a new report on homelessness in LGBT youth. Of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American youth, between 20 and 40 percent are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and are at risk on the streets as well as in the shelter system. Considering that between 3 percent and 5 percent of the U.S. population identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual it is clear that LGBT youth experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate. Once these youth come out to their parents many are told to leave home. Many leave home on their own to get away from physical and mental abuse.

The report touches on the harassment and violence that many of these youth experience in the shelter system and also on critical problems affecting their mental health like depression, loneliness, withdrawn behavior and delinquency. Homeless LGBT youth run a higher risk of substance abuse and risky sexual behavior leading to many sexually transmitted diseases. LGBT youth face the threat of victimization everywhere, at home, at school, at their jobs, at shelters, and on the streets. To learn more information on this topic visit the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force website. Get involved as a volunteer with these youth and become a mentor.

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Many health problems can get in the way of having a good sex life. Side effects from prescription medication, depression and sexually transmitted diseases cuts down on the amount of pleasure and activity. Consult with your physician if you are not satisfied with your sex life or if you do not have any sex drive at all. The University of Michigan released a report on 9 health issues that can effect your sexual satisfaction.

Many common drugs can have side effects that impact sexual health, including medications that treat blood pressure, heart conditions and depression. Heart attacks or cardio problems don't have to end your sex life. A physician can give you the go ahead to return to a sexual relationship not long after surgery or pacemaker implants. People with sexually transmitted diseases were encouraged not to sustain from sex but to increase protection from spreading the disease. Lowering alcohol consumption can increase sexual pleasure. Poor body image and self esteem especially in women decreased the desire to have sex. Menopause and pregnancy were two other issues for women and can easily be treated with lubricants and topical estrogen creams. And stress, oh yes that hidden killer that is believed to contribute to heart attacks and other poor health issues, is a killer of sexual desire also.

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