Coffee could help boost a woman's sex drive, a US study says.

Scientists from Southwestern University found caffeine increased the female libido in experiments on rats.

The Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour journal study said the effect was caused by it stimulating the part of the brain regulating arousal.

But researchers said a similar effect was only likely to be repeated in humans who do not drink coffee regularly.

Previous research has looked into both the health benefits and consequences of coffee consumption

Read more about the influence of coffee on female sex drive at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4628070.stm.