Vaginal or Vulva Discomfort

[Here2TalkNListen]

I'm 18 years old.  I have not seen a doctor yet, because this comes and goes.  I develop swelling, burning, and itchiness on (not in) my vagina.  There's not a cottage cheese discharge, there are sometimes a smell, but I mean, that place down there doesn't smell like roses.  There was only bleeding once and skin peeling once, but thats because I rubbed it off.  I've experienced this about 3-5 different times.  I'm thinking it just may be my pads because it does seem to come around the time I'm supposed to get my period or maybe its that I do wear tight clothing sometimes and it just gets a bit irritated.  But right now I am dying.  Its so itchy and sore and swollen.  I'm thinking this will go away once my period is over, but I don't know, its like unbearable to touch.  Cold water does make it feel a lot better, but should I super worry?  It doesn't have all the symptoms of a yeast infection and I hear that people are just allergic to their pads and other cases like that...

[Curious91786]

I have and those same symptoms. If r sexual active, go to your doctor. You may have a vaginal infection.

[Londres70]

Sounds like a yeast infection to me.  Tight clothing, pads rubbing, etc. are associated with this infection.  See a physician, especially when you are having a flare-up.  There are over the counter medications you can buy without a prescription.  I would see a physician to get a proper diagnosis though.