Action replay pill for lovers

Millions of women know that rollover moment only too well and it's not the Lottery we're talking about.

One minute the love of her life is as wild, amorous and dynamic as Russell Crowe. The next he's snoring like a hippo.

The problem, it seems, is that the average male just can't keep up with the pace.

But that could soon change, say scientists, who believe they are close to developing a rapid repeat pill which boosts sexual stamina. They claim it will reduce the time men need to take a breather between lovemaking and that it will soon be acknowledged as the greatest bedroom breakthrough since Viagra.

One volunteer taking part in trials in Essen in Germany was apparently able to climax twice in two minutes, and then have a third orgasm seven minutes later, research leader Dr. Tillman Krueger said.

"Normally, the test people - all healthy men between 22 and 31 - need a break of 19 minutes," he added.

According to the doctor, the anti-impotence drug could dramatically increase the enjoyment of lovemaking. And the good news is that there have been no side-effects reported so far.

The drug works by restricting production of the brain hormone prolactine, which is normally produced at the moment of orgasm, damping the urge for more sex and causing men's thoughts to turn elsewhere ... perhaps to earth-shattering matters like David Beckham's left foot.

Dr Krueger said: "This mechanism prevents new erections shortly after a climax. The multi-orgasmic person in the test did not display increased traces of prolactine in his bloodstream. Less prolactine means more lust."

Medical psychologist Manfred Schedlowski, who was also involved in the research, said: "The result was clear - the libido was raised and the male was able to reach orgasm again more quickly.

"All the test patients said their climaxes were of a better quality. The restricting effect of prolactine is negated. Maybe, we are on the verge of a breakthrough because there have been no side-effects on men during the tests."

Volunteers were given variants of the drug Cabergolin, which is more commonly given to mothers when they stop breast-feeding. It has also been used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

Findings have been published in The International Journal of Impotence Research and tests are continuing to make a drug similar to Cabergolin.