Question: Both me and my husband were each others first sexual partners. We rarely have sex as it's too painful for me and I often have a burning sensation. Do I have an infection? Vanessa

Answer: Dear Vanessa,

When a woman feels pain while having sexual intercourse, it is called dyspareunia. Painful sex is fairly common. Common causes of sexual pain include:

- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
- Emotional factors that do not allow a woman to relax and prevent arousal and lubrication

Deep pain may be caused by:

- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic inflammatory disease