Overcoming Barriers Regarding Sexual History Taking: Case Reports

Obtaining a sexual history is an integral part of the patient interview, though many practicing physicians fail to address this topic with their patients. This can be attributed to discomfort that many physicians may have with the subject. Sexual history should especially be discussed during annual office visits or in cases in which symptoms of sexually transmitted or unexplained opportunistic infections occur. It is important to discuss sexual history in such cases in order to avert any negative consequences that may result from failed or delayed diagnosis of sexual infections. The two cases presented illustrate the importance of a timely and thorough discussion of sexual practices. This article discusses methods that can be implemented by the physician in order to obtain a complete sexual history