However, Stefani added that the research available is somewhat lacking, and further investigation is required. “We clearly show that this topic has not been well-investigated and only anecdotal stories have been reported,” explained Stefani. Overall, the evidence they did find suggests sexual activity may have a beneficial effect on sports performance – but it’s not enough to say for certain.

Earlier research done by Barry Komisaruk, a psychology professor at Rutgers University in Newark, backs that up. His work studying the female orgasm showed that the release of hormones after orgasm actually served as a pain blocker for up to 24 hours, which could, in theory, allow women to push harder in a race.

RELATED: Sex, Love, and Bicycles

In fact, consider having a high sex drive the night before a race as a major positive: It means your hormones are likely working the way that they should, as cycling shouldn’t impact your sex drive, hormones, or fertility. In fact, Matt Marchal, a board-certified family physician, 23-year veteran of bike racing, and past team physician with Rite Aid Pro Cycling and Team Type 1/Team NovoNordisk, says, “If you look at cyclists—from recreationalists to the pros who are hoisting kids up on the podium with them—you can see that the guys spending the most time on the bike are showing off their kids.”

The only caveat to sex and your performance during tomorrow’s race is this: If it’s emotionally stressful (or keeps you up past curfew), your performance may well be negatively affected. Otherwise, feel free to get busy!