I've been experiencing painful sex for almost a year now - initially it was infrequent, but steadily became more common until I couldn't have sex at all because of the pain.

I've been to my local STD clinic with my partner of 2 years. His tests showed that he may have an NSU, but we were both prescribed precautionary antibiotics for this, which we both took, carefully following the instructions, but this has not helped.

Next I went to my GP. After a brief examination she told me she thought I had some scar tissue from an old tear in my vagina (I don't particularly remember such an injury, but it's a possibilty). If this is the case, she said there's nothing to be done except use lots of lube (which I always do anyway, as my contraceptive pill can make me dry sometimes) or try a local anaesthetic (does anyone else feel this defeats the object?).
I have to say, I feel my doctor was dismissive and not very thourough. I'm not yet willing to resign myself to a life of never enjoying sex again. She did not even mention the possibilty of PID, which I have been reading and worrying about since.

It is hard for me to tell exactly where the pain is - sometimes it feels quite external, at the very opening of my vagina, and other times I think it feels deeper. Usually it is a tearing pain, but I also often experience a burning sensation, which often lasts for hours after sex. The last couple of times we've tried (I give it another try every few weeks, just in case I'm better) I've bled a little bit afterwards.

Does anyone have any ideas or advice for me? I'm at the end of my tether! Needless to say, it's depressing me quite a bit, and although my partner has been endlessly patient and deeply understanding, I feel the lack of sex is putting an unecessary strain on our relationship. He has a high sex drive, and we used to have a fantastic sex life; I feel I'm being unfair to him. My sex drive has all but vanished.

Additional: we don't use condoms, I've tried several lubes, I've been on my contraceptive pill for several years, I have genital herpes (but it isn't the cause of the problem!).

Please help!