Los Angeles, Feb 5 (IANS): Actress Patricia Arquette says having children diminished her sex drive, but it was revived thanks to a healthy relationship.

The "Boyhood" actress, who has children Enzo, 26, and daughter Harlow, 12, from previous marriages, and is now dating Eric White, felt that being in a solid relationship brought her desire for lovemaking back. She also feels "sexier" because of her "healthy" bond with her partner, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"Sexual drive at 46 is different. We don't have that urge to procreate, that animal drive. But if you're a parent, whether you're 40 or 25, the first thing that leaves is your sexual drive. It's not a necessity to survive, so if you're totally exhausted and tapped out, that will be the first thing," she told the Guardian newspaper.

"But I think if you're rested and the kids are okay, it comes back pretty fast if you have a lovely partner who cares about how you feel. If you feel loved, funny and attractive to your mate, I think those things come back. Women feel sexier if they're in a healthy relationship with someone who treats them well," she added.

Arquette also believes there are a lot of unrealistic expectations placed on actresses over their appearance.

The actress said: "There really is a lot of pressure on actresses to look a strange and unrealistic way. You're supposed to be perpetually incredibly attractive because that's the way the movie world is."

"You might be 50 but you need to talk 35. Frankly, there is no shorter shelf life, other than that of a child actor, than that of the ingénue," she added.