Knowing which questions to ask can help the busy medical professional get the information they need. But what are those questions? Here is a list of what experts feel are the most important.
- Are you currently sexually active? Have you ever been?
- Are your partners men, women, or both?
- How many partners have you had in the past month? Six months? Lifetime?
- How satisfied with your (and/or your partner's) sexual functioning are you?
- Has there been any change in your (or your partner's) sexual desire or the frequency of sexual activity?
- Do you have, or have you ever had, any risk factors for HIV? (List blood transfusions, needlestick injuries, IV drug use, STDs, partners who may have placed you at risk.)
- Have you ever had any sexually related diseases?
- Have you ever been tested for HIV? Would you like to be?
- What do you do to protect yourself from contracting HIV?
- What method do you use for contraception?
- Are you trying to become pregnant (or father a child)?
- Do you participate in oral sex? Anal sex?
- Do you or your partner(s) use any particular devices or substances to enhance your sexual pleasure?
- Do you ever have pain with intercourse?
- Women: Do you have any difficulty achieving orgasm?
- Men: Do you have any difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection? Difficulty with ejaculation?
- Do you have any questions or concerns about your sexual functioning?
- Is there anything about your (or your partner's) sexual activity (as individuals or as a couple) that you would like to change?
Keeping these questions in mind can help medical professionals take a more accurate and detailed sexual history, which in turn will help them better educate their patients. After all, prevention starts with education.
Last updated: May 16, 2006.
