High heels 'boost sex life'

Want to improve your sex life? Then wear high heels, says an Italian scientist.

In a study of 66 women under 50, Dr Maria Cerruto of the University of Verona, discovered that wearing a pair of ''moderately high heeled shoes'' had beneficial effects for a woman's sex life."Heels affect pelvic floor activity, reducing pain and improving your health," she said. "Women often have difficulty in carrying out the right exercises for the pelvic zone and wearing heels could be the solution."

The research, reported in the journal European Urology, found that women who held their feet at a 15-degree angle to the ground - the equivalent of a two inch heel - showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles. The results suggest the muscles were at an optimum position, increasing their strength and ability to contract.

Many women suffer from problems with weakened pelvic floor muscles, often as a result of childbirth. A major side effect is stress incontinence, and reduced sexual pleasure.

Health experts recommend doing pelvic floor muscle exercises to make the muscles stronger - and not just to reduce incontinence problems. "Pelvic floor exercises can boost arousal and make orgasms even more explosive," according to NHS Direct.

''Wearing heels during daily activity may reduce the need for the pelvic floor exercises necessary to keep that part of a woman's anatomy toned and elastic,'' Dr Cerruto said. "Like many women, I like high-heeled shoes. It's good to know they have potential health benefits."

Find out about pelvic floor exercises from NHS Direct.

Learn how to walk tall in your heels by watching the New You video Posture perfection.