Some people are allergic to latex, but Dr. Karen Rosewater says, "These people are likely to have noticed a sensitivity to latex before--feeling irritation after a gynecologist examines them with latex gloves, for example."

Dr. Rosewater says another possibility might be an allergy to various types of lubricants. Some condoms are lubricated with Nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that may cause irritation, rashes and infection by stripping away the natural layer that protects your vagina from germs. Even some bottled lubricants may have ingredients to which you're allergic.

Irritation can also come from too much friction, which might stem from using little or no personal lubricant, from penetration that's too rough, or a combination of both.

Since there are quite a few possibilities here, you may need to do some investigative work to narrow down the cause. Dr. Rosewater recommends trying non-latex condoms like those made of polyurethane, if you think latex is the problem. Stay away from lambskin condoms, though, because they don't protect against HIV.

Try using non-lubricated condoms, if you suspect that the lube is the culprit or try using another brand of personal lubricant. Or, if you think that the problem is that you've just not been using--or using enough--lube, that's easy enough to fix. Use some or use more.

And, finally, if your boyfriend is being too rough, just ask him to slow down.

I hope that these suggestions will help you solve this annoying, painful problem.

Good luck.