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Vaginal blisters and discharge

I am 18 years old and have been having blisters on the outside (never inside) of my vagina for years.  They don't really hurt, itch, or "pop" open.  They are just a bit darker than my normal skin color (sometimes a little red) and usually do not have pus.  It takes about 2-3 weeks for it to clear up completely (with no scars or marks).  Oddly, they only occur if I don't shave at least twice a week.  I've also had a dark brown discharge that lasts at least 2 days after my period.  It's sort of thick and there's no blood in it.  It does not have a strong odor, but it does smell different than menstrual blood.  Another thing is that I have a clear liquid (sometimes gooey, usually water-like) discharge practically every day.  I've experienced all of this since I hit puberty, which is about six years now.  I'm not sexually active (nor have ever been) so I don't think it could be an STD.  The only infection I've ever had was a UTI about a year ago.

Any ideas of what it could be? Should this be a cause for concern?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  
Thanks,
Michelle
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Avatar universal
I've found this site to be truly helpful as well. thanks for writing back. It is true that most young women don't need to routinely see a OBGYN until they've started their period, or are having problems. Sexual activity doesn't change that fact except the chances of std's, pid and pregnancy obviously increase.

In grown hairs don't always appear to be right by a hair, but would look a lot like a pimple/blemish. Try using deoderant after shaving, it helps cut down on in grown hairs as well as razor burn. (a lot like it does for under arm ;) ) I've always done that and it helps me tremendously!

You can go to a planned parenthood I do believe....if you decide you need to. I don't think it costs anything. Hope that helps!
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for helping me out, I really appreciate it (I've tried posting in other forums and have never gotten these kinds of good responses)  :)

I always thought of the brown discharge as most likely being old blood.  I just sort of got a little concerned when I heard that it's not usually suppose to be after every period. It is pretty annoying though.  I can't imagine having to throw up anything like that.. must have been really gross.

amythist, thanks for the advice about the bright red blood (even though it doesn't really apply to me :)

I'm sorry about your sister's miscarriage, that must have been really difficult.

I'm glad that I found out that I'm not the only one with these kind of issues.  Jbutler, I guess shaving all the time really is my only option..lol  :)  Congratulations on the baby.

It seems like there's a general agreement about it possibly being an ingrown hair.  What would that look like? (I don't think I've ever seen one)  There are never any hairs around the blisters and it's usually once the hair is already grown, not when it's first growing.

I've never seen a gynecologist (my previous doctor used to say only pregnant women, over 30, or promiscuous women should see them so he wouldn't sign a referral unless you admitted to being one. Total chauvinist).  I also recently moved and turning 18 is kind of messing with my insurance so it'll be awhile until I can actually see one.

Anyway, thank you all again.  If anyone has any information on ingrown hairs or a anything else I would really appreciate that too.

Thanks a bunch,
Michelle
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Avatar universal
Hi. I get the same blisters that you speak of. I agree that I believe it is ingrown hair as well. That is what I was told they were by someone else as well.

The dark liquid you speak of sounds like old blood as well, but not sure.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Since you are not sexually active I think its safe to assume the "blisters" are either in grown hairs or possibly an allergic reaction. If they don't show when you shave, I say ....shave. :)

The brown discharge is most likely old blood. I get that too at the end of my period and even as disgusting as it is....i've always had it for a day or two at the end. It must have something to do with our hormone levels or just the way our body works. I use lightdays....change them out a couple times a day to prevent odor. Actually I use lightdays everyday, because I tend to have some sort of discharge all the time. My dr said some women do. It's annoying but I've had it since puberty and I'm 27 now. I have a six year old and I'm 8 wks preg now so now worries on that. :)

If you are too concerned, call your OBGYN.
Thanks.
Helpful - 0
149087 tn?1258453820
The blisters that you describe sort of sounds like ingrown infestered hair. Especially if the hair is in the growing back stage. I have had that happen to me on my thigh and also a couple of times on my armpit. The dark brown discharge you talk about sounds like maybe an old blood clot that is left over after your period. Anytime its a dark brown color like that its usually old blood. What you want to be cautious about is the bright red blood if it appears when its not supposed to. Especially if you think you are pregnant and if you have alot of pain with it, it could possibly be a miscarriage. My sister had one of those and she had abnormal bright red bleeding with clots and she said it hurt like hell. I am not trying to scare you, I am just stating what I have seen happen to someone.

OOPs well I just reread your post to see if I forgot anything and you are not sexually active. So the possibility of miscarriage is out. Glad I re read that or I would have felt even dumber than I do now :|

I am not a dr or anything, this is just my opinion and experience, but I did have a doctor tell me this about the blood. I had surgery and had been throwing up about a week later, well it was blood I was throwing up, but it was old blood that needed to come out after the surgery it was a dark brown color. They told me that if I started to see bright red blood to be concerned.

I dont know if any of that helps but I just thought I would share my experiences and thoughts.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi there,

i don't really know what to tell you.  You should probably be evaluated by a gynecologist.  The blisters sound like they could almost be an allergy to something, though i have no idea what.  Only because there is a correlation between when they appear and how often you shave.  I don't know about the discharge...since this all started happening when you hit puberty and the dark discharge is only after your period, it could just be part of your normal menstrual flow or something to do with your hormone levels.  Good luck with everything
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