'Why Women Have Romance' by Cindy Meston and David Buss has highlighted 200 reasons as to why women have love making.

While attraction ranks way down in the list, it seems that women go to bed with their partners as a way of relieving boredom, keeping the peace, curing a headache and even as a thank you for a nice dinner.

"Research has shown that most men find most women at least somewhat sexually attractive, whereas most women do not find most men sexually attractive at all," the Telegraph quoted the authors, who are both psychology professors at the University of Texas, as saying.

The researchers interviewed 1,006 women as research for the book, and found some very surprising answers. One revealed that she did it for a spiritual experience, as she thought it to be "the closest thing to God".

Others listed "cure for stress headache", "to make my romance skills better" and "for a clearer complexion". However, the majority (84 per cent), admitted that they had love to ensure a quiet life or to bargain for their partners to carry out household chores.

"I have romance to relieve the boredom. Because it's easier than fighting. Plus it gives me something to do," said one of the interviewee. While another admitted: "I had romance with a couple of guys because I felt sorry for them."

One of the surveys carried out by the authors revealed that one in ten women admitted having romance in return for presents, or lavish meals. Responses included "he bought me a nice dinner" or "he spent a lot of money on me early on", "he gave me gifts early on" and "he showed me he had an extravagant lifestyle".