‘Not now, darling - I've got a headache/creaky knees/back pain...' If everyday health worries have been hindering your sex life, it's time to take serious action. Here are 10 common potential passion-killers - and how to stop them from spoiling your sex life...

By Jane Murphy

The solution: It may involve a little ‘trial and error' - but the trick is simply to find the position that's most comfortable for you. If you suffer from lower back pain, for example, it might be preferable to lie on your stomach with a pillow beneath your chest, and allow your partner to enter you from behind. Or try straddling him while he sits in a chair, which allows you more control over your position. Obviously, this requires understanding and cooperation from your partner - but chances are he'll be only too pleased to help...

The solution: Your sex drive may not diminish with the menopause, but it does present certain challenges. An example? Lower oestrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, so ensure you have plenty of lubricant, such as KY Jelly, handy. It can take much longer for a post-menopausal woman to become comfortably lubricated, so foreplay is key. Thinning vaginal walls are another problem - but regular sex or masturbation will help keep things fit and flexible. Try pelvic floor exercises, too: contract the muscles as if trying to stop yourself peeing, hold for a count of 10, then relax. Repeat 10 times.

More on making it through the menopause

The solution: If you're under stress, your testosterone levels drop - which, in turn, quashes your sex drive. And if you're not careful, that just becomes one more thing to worry about. The trick, of course, is to learn to handle stress more effectively. A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise will help lift your mood - and you could try a relaxation technique such as meditation or yoga. Another tip? Try having sex in the morning when you're less consumed with the day's worries. It may mean setting the alarm a little earlier but it should help you start the day on a high.

The solution: If you suffer from arthritis, sex can present a real challenge - particularly if your hips or back are affected. As with back pain, the answer lies in finding a position that works for you. There are also plenty of ways to lessen any discomfort and feel more relaxed, and many of these can be built into your foreplay. Some examples? Sensual massage relaxes the joints and muscles. Or ask your partner to join you in a hot shower or bath before sex. Arthritis may also lead to vaginal dryness, so keep a water-based lubricant handy, too.

The solution: The breathing difficulties, coughing and wheezing associated with asthma can all have an adverse affect on your sex life - particularly if your symptoms are often exercise-induced. Taking a couple of puffs of your prescribed preventative medicine around 15 minutes before sex may help, so speak to your GP for advice. Changing position may also be a good idea: the missionary can exert too much pressure on the chest, for example. And if your symptoms are worse at night, try having sex in the morning instead.

The solution: Now, stop using that age-old headache excuse and change your attitude! A quick roll between the sheets could actually cure the pain: according to a recent US study, around 61% of women experience some kind of relief from headache after sex. The reason? Sex releases the hormone oxytocin and your levels of feel-good endorphins surge, which in turn helps you to relax. It may also interest you to know that migraine sufferers report 20 per cent higher levels of desire than non-sufferers, according to a recent US survey. It's thought the two may be caused by the same brain chemicals.

The solution: If you suffer from eczema, you may well feel uncomfortable and self-conscious during sex. Your plan of attack is two-pronged. First, see your GP and get the condition under control with emollients. It may also help to cut out histamine-containing foods such as tomatoes, berries and chocolate (sorry!) to reduce the itching and inflammation. And second, talk to your partner about how you feel. Chances are he doesn't mind - and may not even have noticed - how your eczema looks. But if you'd prefer him to steer clear of an infected area, just tell him. The best sex is often all about compromise.

The solution: This one requires another attitude-change. Obviously, it's better for your all-round health if you're not overweight - but if you're embarrassed about taking your clothes off because you don't want your partner to see your lumps and bumps, think again! Numerous surveys have shown men actually prefer curvy women. And according to one recent US study, men are naturally more attracted to women with hourglass figures because subconsciously they think they'll be better at bearing children and have a longer life expectancy. Remember, your curves are sexy - so learn to embrace them.

The solution: It's perfectly normal for your sex drive to yo-yo during pregnancy - largely due to that hormone surge and your changing body. But if you're experiencing a ‘normal' pregnancy without any complications (check with your GP or midwife if you‘re not sure), it's totally safe to continue having sex. Rest assured your baby is securely protected by amniotic fluid and your uterine muscles - plus the thick mucus plug at the top of your cervix stops anything from entering the womb. But you may find it pays to experiment with different positions as your baby bump grows: try lying sideways or going on top.