http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/the-other-side/research-finds-many-women-need-al...-1225778898667

Research finds many women need alcohol to enjoy sex
September 24, 2009 12:00AM

MILLIONS of women drink alcohol before having sex because they lack confidence in their bodies, a study reveals.

Almost half of those questioned said they preferred sex while under the influence of alcohol because it helped them lose their inhibitions and be more adventurous.

Researchers, who surveyed 3000 women aged 18-50, found on average they slept with eight men, but were drunk with at least five, and on two occasions couldn't remember the man's name the next day.

Four out of 10 had been tipsy when sleeping with a partner for the first time.

The study found 75 per cent of women liked to drink before getting into bed with their husband or boyfriend, and 6 per cent had never had sex sober. More than half claimed drinking with a prospective partner was "part of the dating process" so were a bit drunk when they had sex.

It also revealed 14 per cent of women in a relationship can't sleep with their partner without a couple of glasses of wine beforehand.

Kathryn Lakeland of Femfresh, which conducted the study, said the results showed women lacked confidence. "The fact alcohol plays an integral role in their love lives shows that women are looking for a boost in self-esteem when it comes to their bedroom antics," she said.

"But in doing so many women will be losing self-control, and this is when drunken one-night stands are more likely to occur."