Are you experiencing pain during intercourse? If so, then the odds are that you're a woman - though at the end of this feature, you'll find advice for the small number of men who get intercourse pain.

It's not much fun having pain during sex, is it? After all, sexual intercourse is meant to be great fun, and a really happy experience. And if you get pain, then it isn't.

Fortunately, the trouble will often resolve if the man takes more time and trouble with love play, and if the couple use a sex lubricant.

• Pain across the lower part of the back that sometimes radiates into the buttocks, the back of the thigh or to the groin. The pain is usually worse on movement.
• Limitation in movement of the spine - especially bending forward and leaning back.
• Tense spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine and causing a stiff back.
• With severe pain and spasm, the back may tilt to one side causing a change in posture.
• The pain is sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation or numbness in the back or buttocks or leg.