If you are post-menopausal do take care when you find that your vaginal tissues aren't holding up for sex. It can cause an infection and not all medical professionals will catch this. It is painful, you may not be taken seriously, and it can go into your bladder and kidneys. Mine did. I went to see a local clinic doctor for a uti that I got from having sex after a long period of abstinence (years). I had torn during sex. This makes a perfect place for bacteria to proliferate. I was treated with a very old fashioned antibiotic and basically told that it was so mild I really could be just fine with large amounts of water and cranberry juice. This happened 3 times over the next 9 months as the problem worsened. Finally I went to a doctor that sat and discussed many reasons for it, then did the urine test, it came up negative in the office, but when sent to pathology showed ample bacteria. THIS IS THE STEP THE OTHERS FAILED TO DO AND IT TOOK 2 ROUNDS OF BACTRIM TO GET IT BACK AFTER A YEAR OF MISERY. If you get a UTI make certain to keep seeking help. When it gets as serious as mine did you must get very educated on what bladder irritants to NOT ingest (look online for a list of foods and totally quit caffeine/coffee/tea/). When the problem is treated with BHRT (vaginal estriol) and testosterone creams, as well as progesterone BHRT; it can turn the painful, burning, horrible condition around. I am getting my life back now after a whole year of unbelieveable suffering and being ignored by many ignorant medical professionals. Thank goodness for forums where people talk and share their stories. It gave me hope and I'm passing on the good news. There is hope. The connection between food/hormorne/gut allergys (leaky gut syndrome)/ and tissues that are breaking down due to age is real. Seek multiple angles to your cure/help. Start with a blood test to see if you have leaky gut syndrome. Then get your hormones tested and get on BHRT. It takes a few months, but it does begin to turn it around. Take a good antibiotic to kill the over growth of bacteria. Take D-mannose or cranberry (D-mannose is awesome). Drink some raw apple cider vinegar to help balance alkaline/acid. Its quite a journey; don't give up.