German workaholics may be suffering from a lack of sex, according to a university study recently published.

A survey of 32,000 men and women by researchers at the University of Goettingen found over 35 per cent of those reporting unsatisfying sex lives tended to use hard work as a diversion.

Some 36 per cent of men and 35 per cent of women surveyed for the "Apotheken Umschau" newsletter said they were likely to put in extra time at the office and volunteer for extra assignments.

The hard work ethic was even more pronounced among those who reported having no sex - 45 per cent of men and 46 per cent of women said they voluntarily took on more responsibilities.

"These findings are worrying," the leader of the study, Ragnar Beer, was quoted as saying.

(China Daily via Reuters August 6, 2007)