I'm 14 and still a virgin, but my boyfriend fingers me and gives me oral sex. For a couple of weeks, my vagina has been itchy and red, and it hurts when I touch it. I don't feel comfortable talking to my mom about this. What should I do? – Ellie* Friction and pressure from fingering or oral sex can cause irritation in the sensitive genital area. But itching and redness that lasts for a couple of weeks also could be a sign of an infection that could get worse if it isn't treated. So you should get checked out by a doctor or nurse practitioner . Don't want to get into details with your mom? Just tell her you're having itching and discomfort "down there" and would like to get checked out. Girls can have vaginal infections for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with sexual contact — such as stress, for example. Even if you're not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals. And if either of you has a cold sore, don't have oral sex. The virus that causes cold sores can transfer to the genitals and become genital herpes. Because other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) also can be passed by oral sex, use a dental dam when a girl is receiving oral sex or a condom when a guy is receiving oral sex to protect against infection. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Genital Herpes Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). There's no cure for genital herpes, but medicines can help control it. Read More Talking to Your Partner About Condoms Some people - even those who are having sex - are embarrassed by the topic of condoms. Here are some tips for talking about condoms with your partner. Read More STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) You've probably heard lots of discouraging news about sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that STDs can be prevented. Find out how to protect yourself. Read More Cold Sores (HSV-1) Cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are pretty common and lots of people get them. So what causes them and what can you do? Read More Can You Get Genital Herpes From a Cold Sore? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More What's a Dental Dam? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Vaginal Yeast Infections What are vaginal yeast infections? Can anything be done to prevent them? Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.