What causes itching during my periods?

Dear doctor,
I am a lady aged 22. I recently got some itching in my private parts during my periods. I thought it was an allergy perhaps because of the pads but the itching has not stopped till today. This is the second week. I have never had sex though. What could it be? Barbara, Mbarara

Dear Barbara,
Itching of the private parts may be caused by an allergy to pads which allergy will stop with stopping wearing pads after periods. If the allergy is due to something else, say generalised allergy in an asthmatic, allergy to toilet soaps or reactions to retained sweat especially in those wearing tight wear (jeans) for long or those who are overweight, stopping wearing pads will not stop the itching.
Many women around the period time are affected by candida infections that lead to the kind of itching which in many will not cease without medical attention. The candida may or may not lead to a milk-gone-bad-type of vaginal discharge. There may also be other causes of itching here which are not STDs that require a doctor to check out if the itching persists longer than two weeks.