Taking a Sexual History

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Sexual health: what is it and why is it important to clinicians?

In this post-millennium decade, the topic of sex has moved from the confines of hushed private discussions to an accepted presence in almost all adult public domains (movies, television, literature, office water-coolers, cocktail parties). Yet for all of our public bravado, talking seriously about specific issues of sexuality still creates anxiety in most people. That this discomfort extends to physicians and their patients in a clinical setting creates a significant void in comprehensive

Barriers to discussing sexual health

Despite the WHO call for physicians to take the lead in addressing the sexual health concerns of patients, physicians may not be heeding the call. For example, one recent survey estimated that only 14% of Americans aged 40 to 80 years reported that a physician had inquired about sexual concerns within the past 3 years [2]. In the author's own practice as a psychologist treating women who have sexual problems, I see the consequences of this avoidance almost daily. In fact, recently two typical

Initial assessment of sexual problems

The following section describes what to include in a brief and in a detailed sexual history. Regardless of how brief or how detailed the initial sexual assessment, there are several communication strategies and skills that enhance the efficiency (ie, keeping it straightforward and brief) and effectiveness (ie, allowing for accurate diagnoses and treatment suggestions).

Why should you inquire about sexual concerns?

The importance of sexual health to a woman's quality of life and general health and well-being cannot be overstated, yet the topic is too often ignored by gynecologists and primary care physicians. This article has been geared toward helping overcome some of the barriers to physicians simply opening the door to the topic and conducting at least a basic sexual history and screening of sexual concerns. Although treatment options are addressed elsewhere in this issue, the most effective treatment

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