Even if you have the best relationship, talking about intimate subjects like vaginal itching, odor, and wetness, can be tricky. But as her mother, it's a good idea for you to bring these topics up first, so that your daughter doesn't panic when her body starts changing. You want to give her the confidence to recognize what's normal and what's not, and the courage to approach you with any further questions. When you bring it up, you're showing her that you are open to these kinds of conversations, which makes it easier for her to talk to you about it.
Like most parents, you probably spend lots of time driving your kids and their friends around. This can be a good thing, because teens will talk openly to each other in the back seat, seemingly forgetting that parents are with them. Take advantage of this time to get a sense of what’s going on with your teen. Once you and your daughter are alone in the car, use that time to talk with her. Having a purpose and a destination can help ease any discomfort and provide a "screen" for the conversation.
This works even if you don’t have a car. A subway or train ride - even a walk, will do. It may help to start by talking about yourself. This will help remind your daughter that you know how it feels to be a teen and that everyone goes through this. Try talking about your own intimate health experiences--your daughter will feel relieved that she is not alone in what she's experiencing.
The most important message you can give your daughter is that if she's feeling itchy or experiencing new wetness or odors, and she feels uncomfortable, she shouldn't keep it to herself. Sometimes just figuring out what's going on can make her feel more comfortable. Or if her symptoms are not due to an infection but they continue to trouble her, there are products, including Vagisil® Anti-Itch Cream that can help her feel better. Finally, since symptoms sometimes are due to an issue that needs medical attention, you need to be aware of them so you can help your daughter get the right kind of medical attention ASAP.