Sex may be hurtful for both men and women. For women, the causes maybe; Pain in vagina by; • Infection e.g. thrush, STDs • Menopause • Loss of libido • Vaginismus – tight shutting of vaginal muscles making intercourse difficult and painful • Irritation and allergy by latex condoms and spermicides Pain in pelvis by; • Pelvis Inflammatory Disease (PID) • Fibroids • Endometriosis • Constipation • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) For men, the causes maybe; • Infections e.g. thrush • Tight foreskin • Foreskin tears • Prostatitis • Pain and swelling in testicles