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"We now hope to prove that wearing heels during daily activity may reduce the need for the pelvic exercises necessary to keep that part of a woman's anatomy toned and elastic."

The study involved 66 women under the age of 50. Dr Cerruto discovered that women who held their feet at a 15-degree angle to the ground, the equivalent of a two-inch heel, showed up to 15 per cent less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles.

This suggests the muscles are more relaxed with higher heels, increasing their strength and ability to contract.

Dr Cerruto added: "Women often have difficulty in carrying out the right exercises for the pelvic zone and wearing heels could prove to be the solution.

"Like many women, I like high-heeled shoes, and although they are sometimes uncomfortable I continue to wear them in an effort to appear more slender and taller.

"It's good to know they have potential health benefits."

An official guide to better sex, provided by NHS Direct, advises women to become more aware of their pleasure muscles (pelvic floor muscles) and advises them how to exercise them to aid sexual arousal.

The NHS recommends that women, particularly just after pregnancy, should do pelvic floor exercises up to five times a day.