Sudden and inexplicable pain after sex? As cliterati investigates it's unlikely to be that your partner has some terrible lurgy but may be caused by an intolerance towards condoms and other sex products.

Burning, itching, rashes and infections in your nether regions are always a cause for alarm, especially if they occur not long after sexual intercourse. Too often these symptoms are ignored because of embarrassment - either that or you dump your lover, convinced they have left an unwanted gift - or the unfortunate sufferer rushes off to casualty convinced they have something really really TERRIBLE.

Yet, increasingly, these symptoms are down to an allergy or intolerance to, what was once coyly described as, 'marital aid' products. In other words, condoms, diaphragms, the cap, lubricants, massage oil and even sex toys. Ignoring symptoms or, more commonly, misdiagnosis can lead to risk of infection from thrush and gonorrhoea, as sensitive and irritated genital tissue can increase the risk of a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

If you find your itchy, scratchy or burning symptoms occurs just after, or not long after, having sex, if they then go away, after a few days, only to reappear the next time you have sex, then you may have an intolerance or allergy to one of the products you are using.

The most common allergies are caused by Latex (Natural Rubber); everything from condoms, to gloves, the cap, diaphragms, fetish and bondage gear and dildos contain latex. Latex allergy results from repeated exposure and usually, progressively, worsens with additional exposures. Reactions range from discomfort, dermatitis and itching to difficulty breathing and full-blown shock. Another common culprit is spermicide. Nonoxynol-9 is the most common and can be found on many brands of condoms, in foams and 'the sponge.' It is an excellent barrier against STD infections but has been known to cause some nasty reactions in women and men.

Massage oil and petroleum products when used vaginally can cause or exacerbate yeast infections. Petroleum, also known as mineral oil, baby oil and liquid Vaseline can cause photosensitivity, as well as acne and other skin disorders. Massage and body rubs containing alcohol or isopropyl may cause nausea and headaches - in extreme cases this can lead to depression.

It is also worth mentioning, while we are on the subject of sex related allergies, that some women are allergic to sperm or in medical parlance have 'human seminal plasma hypersensitivity.' Thankfully, this affects only 5% of the population but it is possible to be allergic and not know the cause. Localised symptoms include vaginal burning, pain, redness and blisters that form within 30 minutes of exposure to semen. In extreme cases it can also cause hives, angioedema, wheezing and in very rare cases anaphylaxis.

Although your symptoms may well relate to an allergy or intolerance, you should always contact your medical practitioner for their opinion and diagnosis. Let them know you want them to take in to consideration the possibility of an allergy/intolerance to one of the products you are using.

We have outlined some of the alternative products you could try, if you believe you have an allergy or intolerance to the standard products.

Alternative products

Try eliminating the ones you can, one at a time - bearing in mind the safe sex mantra. For example, if you use a spermicide and a condom - try without the spermicide, if this doesn't make any difference and you are not using any other product then it may well be the condom. In which case there are some makes of condom available that are not made with latex.