Standard Operating Procedures for Taking a Sexual History

Abstract

Introduction While there is evidence of increased professional and public awareness of sexual problems, both male and female sexual dysfunctions remain underdiagnosed and undertreated by health care professionals around the world. Health care professionals (HCPs) are typically reluctant, disinterested, or unskilled in sexual problem management and regrettably are often disinclined to inquire about sexual issues. HCPs in all countries receive variable, nonstandardized, or inadequate training in sexual history taking and its treatment. Aim This article presents a standard operating procedure (SOP) for taking a sexual history from men or women with sexual problems or performance concerns. Methods Review of relevant evidence-based literature identified through a PubMed search, integrated with expert opinion. Results Guidelines for taking a sexual history are presented along with the relevant domains, opening and follow-up questions. conclusion The SOP presented in this article offers HCPs a brief, structured, and uniform method for obtaining a sexual history from men or women seeking health care services. Sexual history taking should be based on three basic principles, which serve as the foundation for managing sexual problems in men and women. These include the following: (i) a patient-centered approach; (ii) evidenced-based diagnostic and treatment recommendations; and (iii) use of a unified management approach for men and women. Sexual history taking should always be conducted in a culturally sensitive manner, taking account of the individual's background and lifestyle, status of the partner relationship, and the clinician's comfort and experience with the topic. Sexual inquiry should be incorporated into all new patient encounters, when possible, if only to ask one or two broad questions such as the following: “Are you sexually active? Do you have any sexual concerns or problems you would like to discuss?” Sexual history taking is a cornerstone of sexual medicine clinical practice. All patients should be provided an opportunity for frank and open discussion of sexual issues or concerns, conducted in an atmosphere of sensitivity and respect.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sexual and Fertility Rehabilitation: The Sexual Rehabilitation Framework

“…However, health care professionals are often reluctant to do so because of deficits in knowledge and communication skills, time and reimbursement constraints, unrealistic fear of offending the patient, and discomfort in asking and addressing sexual concerns. 7 Patients complain of the lack of opportunity to ask questions about their sexual concerns, feel ashamed or embarrassed about the topic of sexuality, do not know which provider is appropriate to answer their questions, and/or they may not feel optimistic about the outcome of such a discussion. 7 For these reasons, it is important to have a comprehensive view of sexuality in the rehabilitation setting.…”

Quality of sexual life in adult and elderly female college students from a university in amazon

“…Evaluation of female arousal problems should address both physical as mental arousal, so the prevalence of this dysfunction is uncertain since the questionnaires focused mainly on vaginal lubrication. 10,28 The female sexual response is more a process of ageing than an event driven for a goal, and is usually dependent of the partner. 4 When a woman feels that her partner is able and has the will to engage in a sexual intercourse, she feels reinforced in her sexual motivation.…”

“…This difference in the quality of sexual life is due to factors inherent to age, such as poor health of both women and their partners, which negatively influence sexuality. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Specific aspects of men's health and their role in society influence their life expectancy, causing women to often lose their partners faster than expected, which negatively affects female sexual function. 6,9 The aging process is associated with diminished libido, possibly resulting from physiological changes.…”

“…Many studies have shown the negative effects of aging on the quality of women's sexual life, with a growing prevalence of sexual dysfunction in aging women. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Only a small proportion of older women are sexually active, and only 10 to 20% of them have frequent sexual intercourse after their 60s. 12 Considering the lack of self-administrated, userfriendly and effective national questionnaires capable of evaluating various facets of female sexual function in any age group and all phases of the sexual cycle, the Female Sexual Quotient Questionnaire (FSQ) was developed as an instrument to evaluate the quality of sexual life of Brazilian women.…”

The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults

“…or "Are you sexually active?" (Althof et al 2013), with follow-up questions asked (e.g., about contraceptive use), as indicated. Laboratory data or findings of electrocardiography, imaging studies, other radiological investigations or neuropsychological testing may also provide clues to past or current medical conditions.…”