People react in different ways when they realise they’re about to split up - they either get horribly, horribly upset and want to cry. Or they get angry. Or, if you both sort of know it’s coming, they get nostalgic.

Thing is, all three reactions produce one thing: strong emotion. And strong emotion is always accompanied by high hormone levels. Because sexual stimulation also causes a surge in our hormones, the brain can sometimes think, ‘Hang on, I know what this means - they’re about to have sex!’. Which is why couples suddenly find themselves incredibly turned on and having fantastic sex in the aftermath of one of the saddest or horrible moments of their life.

On top of this, there’s the thought that this is probably the last time you’ll ever have sex with this person for the rest of your life. The emotion behind it makes this sex session far more meaningful than others. If that’s the last time, it can sometimes also mean it’s the only time you ever let go. You don’t mind exposing your ‘real’ sexual self - maybe one that’s a little less squeaky clean than you’ve lead your partner to believe - because who cares if they judge you? They’ve already rejected you or you’ve rejected them.

The problem, of course, with having great break-up sex is this: you both look at each other afterward and wonder why the hell you’re breaking up if the sex is beyond spectacular. And sometimes, you’re right. If the problem you’re splitting over is trivial or solveable, connecting in such a powerful way might be enough to jolt you both out of stubborn sulks and into sensible problem solving mode. But be warned: a great roll in the hay does not always mean it’s still worth sharing the barn together.

Fact: if you decide you do want to stay together, don’t be surprised if your sex life rather rapidly returns to whatever it was like before the break-up. Secondly - and most importantly - great sex alone isn’t enough to build a life-lasting relationship on. You need other things to go with it.

Even if the sex was the best you’ve had in your life, if you can’t see eye to eye out of bed, it’s pointless. People break up for a reason and since you two were about to, you’re still better off focusing on that and coming up with solutions, than jumping back in bed for round two. However tempting that might be!