See your doctor, Well Woman or family planning clinic if you experience any:

• pain, swelling
• abnormal vaginal discharge or odour
• severe period pains
• blood in the urine
• abnormal breast changes

STIs may produce few or no obvious symptoms. In fact, girls are more vulnerable than boys to STDs, especially chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HPV. If you are sexually active, make sure your male partner wears a condom – every time – which provides some protection against pregnancy, HIV and other STIs. It could take as little as a one-time exposure to contract HIV or another STI. This is one time not to be shy – insist on a condom. If you are worried, get advice from your doctor or local GUM (genito-urinary medicine, or sexual health) clinic.

It is not uncommon to have irregular periods during the first year or two. But it is not normal to have extremely heavy bleeding. If you're soaking through a super tampon or pad every hour, you need to tell your doctor. If you are bleeding heavily for more than a week, you could be at risk of iron deficiency and anaemia. That's why it is recommended you take a multivitamin with iron and make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes iron-rich foods.

Scratching an itch can make it worse! Mild to moderate itching can be a sign of an infection or may simply be a part of the normal hormonal ups and downs. Other causes can be:

• reaction to scented soaps, detergents, deodorant sprays or tampons
• wearing tight jeans, tights or underwear
• excess perspiration or discharge
• an infection, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a bacterial infection, or thrush.

An anti-itch cream with a local anaesthetic like Vagisil® Medicated Creme* may be helpful to relieve the itch. Even itchy conditions that are being treated with antibiotics, oral antifungals or those placed inside the vagina (see tip no 5) can also be calmed by Vagisil® Creme. It can stop the itching fast. If the itching does not stop within seven days or gets worse, you may have an infection and should see your doctor.

Most cases of thrush are caused by a yeast organism called candida albicans, normally found in the vagina and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can multiply after taking antibiotics or with use of some types of oral birth control. Symptoms include burning itch, irritation and thick, curd-like discharge.

If you have never had thrush before, you should get a proper diagnosis from your doctor or Well Woman or family planning clinic. Only antifungal preparations combat the actual infection (they come in one-day, three-day or seven-day formulas and can be over-the-counter or prescription). However, while the antifungal starts to work to get rid of the thrush, you may still have itching. To help relieve the itch while an internal or oral antifungal is starting to work, try using an external anti-itch cream like Vagisil® Medicated Creme*. It will provide fast relief for external itching.

If you have some itching accompanied by a fishy odour, excessive white-greyish discharge with milk-like consistency and redness you could have BV (bacterial vaginosis). BV must be diagnosed by your doctor and treated with a prescription antibiotic. If left untreated, this condition can have potentially serious consequences such as impaired fertility and making you more prone to STDs.

Normal vaginal discharge is nature's own self-cleaning mechanism. A gentle cleansing of the vaginal area is adequate for keeping the area clean. Excess moisture may cause itching and odour. We all have a slight feminine odour, but strong odours and excessive wetness can be a sign of infection and should be checked by a doctor. Vagisil® Feminine Wash can help you feel clean and fresh. It gently cleanses away wetness and odour. Just apply to toilet tissue, cleanse and flush. It's safe and gentle enough to use every day. If you're on the go, try Vagisil® Medicated Wipes. If wetness is a problem, there's Vagisil® Feminine Powder which absorbs wetness as it helps control odour.

Tight jeans, leggings and thongs may be in fashion, but they can make you vulnerable to vaginal itching and irritation. Look for cotton underwear, or choose clothing that has a cotton crotch. Tights can be a particular problem as nylon and other synthetics don't breathe. For a little extra protection, sprinkle Vagisil® Feminine Powder in your knickers or on your pantiliner. It helps absorb wetness, leaving you feeling dry, fresh and comfortable.

Your breasts are growing, developing. They can be lumpy, bumpy, asymmetrical and even painful. But knowing what's normal for you is important. While breast cancer is extremely rare in teenagers or young women, it's wise to learn how to check your breasts regularly:

• Try it first in the shower while soapy so your hand can glide over your skin.
• Or, try it at bedtime while lying down. Place one arm behind your head.
• Using the pads of your fingers, touch every part of your breast all the way up to your underarm.
• It doesn't matter if you examine it in circles or zigzags, so long as you get a feel for what your breast feels like.
• Chances are that an odd lump is a harmless cyst, but get it checked by a doctor.
• Look in the mirror to check for any puckers or dimples.
• Examine your breasts every month, after your period.

There are many conditions that can cause menstrual cramps or pelvic pain. Menstrual cramps usually feel like an achy fullness, while pelvic pain may be sharper and higher up, or on one side. Excessively painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) that get worse over time can be a sign of endometriosis, which can begin during the teen years. Fibroids aren't that common in teens, but they can occur. As they grow, they can cause pelvic pressure, a feeling of fullness, constipation and heavy, painful periods. Benign ovarian cysts can also cause pelvic pain. If you suffer from any regular, unexplained pain in the pelvic area, consult your doctor.