Some explicit song lyrics may be linked to sexual activity among teens, according to a study by the University of Pittsburgh.

Researchers compared the lyrics of music that teens listened to and their sexual behaviour.

Overall, 31 percent of the teens in the study had sexual intercourse.

Of the teens having sex, 44.6 percent listened to degrading lyrics.

And of those teens who were less exposed to the lyrics, only 20.6 percent had sex.

A lead researcher said it is not the music itself causing sexual behavior but it does help mold the perception and is therefore a "likely" factor in sexual development.