Gwen Stefani: Women are so powerful

Gwen Stefani believes women' sexual side is "alluring and powerful".

The No Doubt singer has a difficult relationship with her sexuality, because she hasn't always been comfortable with it. As she's grown older she's learnt how to come to terms with that side of herself, although she would never use sex to sell her music.

"Women are interesting creatures. We have this sexual side to us that is alluring and powerful. It is a gift," she told Fashion magazine. "When you discover your sexuality when you are around 14 - it feels amazing - but you learn it's something that is fleeting. Sexuality is something that I've never played off of or felt comfortable with."

The 45-year-old star emphasised her point by explaining that is why she won't do topless shoots, adding she didn't even feel comfortable enough to wear heels until she was in her 30s.

Music is something she is much more at one with, although that also took some time. While she's enjoyed a stellar solo career she started out with her band No Doubt, with their hit record Tragic Kingdom penned by her after she split from the group's bassist Tony Kanal.

"It was the first time I knew I could write music. I wasn't writing it because I wanted people to hear it," she explained. "It was only until I got that hurt that I found out I have a power in me. It allowed me to be creative. After that, the pressure was on - non-stop. I had to create."

Since then the star hasn't been able to stop her creative juices flowing. Her third solo studio album is due out later this year, although she'll give little away apart from to say one song on it has a reggae vibe.

The star has also been working with many other artists including Charli XCX, Pharrell Williams and Calvin Harris.