Feel like your sex life is dwindling? Think twice before you pull the busy schedule excuse again -- research shows that it could have something to do with how you feel about yourself. A recent survey of over 3,000 women by UK's Cosmopolitan magazine found that 73 percent of women are plagued by insecurities about their body, and naturally it affects their behaviour in the bedroom.

Among the most common complaints? Some felt they were too curvy, while others felt they weren't curvy enough. Some expressed embarrassment of their stretch marks and saggy breasts, particularly those who were mothers. Are these insecurities enough to hamper our enjoyment of sex? You bet, reports the Daily Mail, and being bombarded with images of perfect bodies in the media definitely doesn't help. Among the other findings? Nearly forty percent of women polled admitted that they don't have sex often enough, and three in five claimed that they regularly fake orgasms.

And while the survey didn't question the male half of the species, I have a feeling most dudes wouldn't let a few love handles get in the way of a night of passion. Sex expert Pam Spurr agrees; "Women take their body image to heart. But it is an awful lot of pain for nothing because her husband or partner won't be focusing on her body the way she is. Most men aren't thinking about the lumps and bumps, they are thinking about the pleasure," she told the Daily Mail.


OK, so maybe men aren't bothered by our wobbly bits. But are we bothered by theirs? The survey also asked what women look for in a man, and a sense of humor and shared values were deemed more important than looks. That said, moobs, poor hygiene, back hair and beer bellies were listed as "turn-offs."

Sadly, there's no easy surefire way to build body confidence in a hurry, but there is one thing you can do that might help: Exercise! It helps you feel good about your body, firms up those jiggly bits and improves your sexual performance all at once. There are even specific exercises that help spice things up in the bedroom -- why not give 'em a try? And while letting go of your insecurities might not be all that simple, getting busy despite your body reservations might help -- having sex when you're not in the mood can both strengthen your relationship and build your self-esteem.