TABLE 1

Suggested questions for obtaining a sexual history

QuestionsComments and follow-up questions
Are you sexually active?Explore what sexual activity means for the patient
Who are your sexual partners?Ask in an anatomic- and gender-inclusive manner: partner with a penis, partner with a vagina, only male, only female, transgender men, transgender women, gender nonconforming
Do you have a current partner or partners?Does your partner have multiple partners?
How many partners have you had in the past 6 months?
How do you typically meet partners?Specifically inquire regarding online, app, casual hookup, anonymous sexual encounters, sex workers, or friends
What sexual activities do you participate in?Specifically inquire regarding oral, vaginal, anal, top (insertive), bottom (receptive)
Do you use condoms or barriers with steady or new partners?Guide to quantify as never, rarely, 50%, or always
Do you or your partner(s) have a history of sexually transmitted infections?Any infections in past 6 months?
Do you have plans for prevention of pregnancy?Are you using or interested in contraception?
Do you have a history of commercial sex work?
  • Based on information from reference 21.