Bleeding During Sex and Irritation, Itching and Abnormal Smell
Vaginal itching, irritation and abnormal smell can be the sign of an infection, so when experiencing these symptoms it is always best to check in with a medical health professional so you can get an accurate diagnosis and any needed treatment recommendations.
The symptoms you described could indicate bacterial vaginosis, an STD (such as Chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts and gonorrhea), or a yeast infection. However, since TeenHealthFX cannot provide you with an accurate diagnosis online, it is important to go to the doctor. FX would recommend abstaining from any sexual activity until you have met with a doctor.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
You did not mention if you were practicing safe sex or not, so TeenHealthFX would also like to encourage you to speak to a doctor about safer sex precautions for the future. Doctors generally recommend that teens and young adults who choose to be sexually active use condoms each and every time they have sex to protect against unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of STDs, as well as a back-up method of birth control such as the pill or birth control shot. A doctor can make the best recommendations for you and discuss with you how to use properly use birth control to maximize its effectiveness.
FX also suggests that you check out the links in our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so that you can learn about sexual readiness, how pregnancy happens, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, birth control, STDs and more. The more educated you are about these topics, the more likely you will make healthy decisions for yourself when it comes to your sexual health.
