Billed as the only event in the region designed to "enrich and enhance your understanding on sex and sexuality", it has the backing of authorities, who are attempting to shake off the city-state's well-known stuffy image.

But strict restrictions have been imposed, according to media reports.

Among an expected 60,000 visitors will be respected doctor Lee Keen Whye, who has reportedly been entrusted by the government to make sure the three-day exhibition is "healthy and non-sleazy".

"If Sexpo results in a public backlash, I think it would be safe to say that this will be the first and last exhibition of its kind," he was quoted as saying by Today newspaper when details of the expo were launched last month.

One section, Bedroom, is strictly reserved for adults aged 21 or older. It is here that sex toys are displayed, along with furniture designed to facilitate love-making positions, and "intimate" dance performances.

While titillation may be on many curious visitors' minds, organisers insist the expo is primarily designed to be educational.

A range of seminars and forums are being held to answer questions on sexuality and sexual health, such as fertility and ways to treat problems like erectile dysfunction.

There are also raunchier subjects on the agenda like "Bedroom Games Exposed" and "Living Room Fun".

Specialists on hand include Professor Liu Dalin, a sexologist from Shanghai University and vice-chairman of the Asian Federation for Sexology.

Others include infertility specialist Christopher Chen, a pioneer of in-vitro fertilization who established Asia's first sperm bank in 1976.

Singapore is a country known overseas for its squeaky-clean image and sanitised ways, although a number of adult shops have sprung up in recent years.

Surveys have shown in the past that Singaporeans have sex less frequently than other Asians.

The city-state also suffers from a serious shortage of babies because couples are postponing parenthood, or are simply unable to procreate because they are too busy or stressed out.

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