By Laura Snyder

Anyone who's been in a relationship has figured it out - conflict is inevitable. But research is finding that not only can you not avoid it, you probably need it to make your relationship its best ever.

Why are disagreements so good for you?

Fighting Fact #1: You'll live longer.

Preliminary results from a University of Michigan study suggest that couples who repress their anger die earlier than the husbands and wives who let out their gripes. Brooding on your anger and resentment isn't healthy. Previous studies have already found that people who release their anger make better decisions, feel more in control, and are more optimistic about the outcome of the situation.

Fighting Fact #2: Your heart will benefit.

A study of married couples found that women who stayed silent during spats were more likely to die from heart disease. Interestingly, men had the same life expectancy whether or not they spoke up. Let him have it, girls!

Fighting Fact #3: Your marriage will be happier.

Studies show that certain kinds of fights can improve some marriages. (Hint: Clashes in which one of you becomes defensive and stubborn or withdraws are not good. But those in which you can express your anger without getting out of control bode well.) The same research also suggests that couples who rarely fight are often unprepared to deal with problems when they inevitably come up. The strongest unions were ones in which couples got practice handling conflicts.

Fighting Fact #4: You'll have more sex (maybe).

A Georgia State University study found that couples who fought over sex had it more often than couples who didn't fight about it. So next time one of you isn't in the mood, don't just give up! Fighting about your sex life tells your partner it's really important to you, and that can bring you closer (and make you more likely to get naked).