The old-fashioned love letter is officially dead. According to CNN, a new study found that sending nudes or sexy texts is the new way to keep the spark alive in your relationship.

Researchers at Drexel University surveyed 870 Americans ranging between 18 and 82 for their study. They found that 88 percent of respondents had sexted at least once, and 82percent did so within the last year.

Three quarters of the respondents said they sexted within a committed relationship, but 43 percent of the respondents also said they sexted in casual relationships, too.

The researchers also asked participants about their sexual and relationship satisfaction, and it turns out that most people who sexted were happier.

They found that people who sexted within a relationship reported being more satisfied sexually.

And people who were dating, but not "very committed," were happier with their relationships as a whole when they sent sexy photos or texts to one another. (People in "very committed" relationships didn't have any effect from sexting, probably because they've seen it all already.)

Men were more likely to be satisfied from sexting, which is obvious from anyone bombarded with nudes on Tinder or OKCupid.

In general, people who sexted more saw it as a "fun and carefree" activity that wasn't that serious, but expected it in their relationships.

So if your Tinder date is already asking for nudes and you're not into it, chances are he won't stop once you get to know him. But if you are into it, it might be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

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