Taking a Sexual History

Assessing sexual health is an essential part of a comprehensive health exam. A sexual history needs
to be taken during a patient’s initial visit, routine preventive exams, and when a patient presents
with signs or symptoms consistent with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

A sexual history identifies patients at risk of HIV, and other STDs, clarifies pregnancy intentions,
and reveals other sexual health-related concerns thereby giving providers the information needed
to address these issues and conditions. The conversation that takes place helps build trust and
provides opportunities for healthy behaviors counseling as well. A sexual history is vital to assessing
risk behaviors and identifying indications for PrEP use. Ideally, a sexual history also provides
guidance and addresses concerns around sexual pleasure and fulfillment as well.

Discussing sexuality with a provider may be awkward at any age. Youth and those who are sexual
minorities may face additional sensitivities due to their age and/or society’s heteronormativity.
Some gender nonconforming youth have faced rejection and hostility from their families and
bullying or violence in school or society related to their sexuality. They need to be assured that they
will be safe if they disclose personal aspects of their lives and sexual behaviors.

This tool offers guidance for health care providers who care for adolescents and young adults as
to how to take an inclusive sexual history to meet the needs of all youth including lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Many factors influence an individual’s
sexual life and expression. You are encouraged to adapt this guide to be culturally appropriate for
your patients based on their age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity,
culture, and other factors.

Contents
wwCreate a Safe Environment
wwTaking the History
wwAdditional Resources

Create a Safe Environment

Creating a safe environment for discussion of sensitive topics is critical to establishing trust and
open communication. All adolescents and LGBTQ youth may be particularly sensitive. When taking
an adolescent’s sexual history:

Establish rapport
Set expectations for the clinical encounter. Speak to the parent or guardian (if present) and minor
adolescent together and let them know what to expect, including that the adolescent will have
some time alone with you. If you will talk alone with the parent as well, do so before you talk to the
adolescent alone, so the adolescent does not worry that you are sharing what you have discussed.
This will also provide you and the parent or guardian an opportunity to share any concerns.

In a private interview with the (adolescent) patient:

•• Normalize the discussion. State that all patients are asked the same questions. By asking
personal questions you can provide the best possible care.

•• Minimize note-taking, particularly during sensitive questions.

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 •• Sexual history should be part of a broader risk assessment. For minor adolescents, the sexual
history can be part of a broader risk assessment which asks about issues relating to home,
school, drug and alcohol use, smoking, etc.

•• Provide assurance of confidentiality and establish limits of confidentiality. Patients—

especially young patients—are more likely to disclose sensitive information if consent and
confidentiality are clearly explained. Clarify the laws and limits of confidentiality, explaining
where confidentiality may need to be breached, such as when there is reported abuse or
suicidal thoughts. Ensure that confidentiality will be maintained as allowable throughout the
billing process. Some adolescents up to age 26 may still be on their parents’ health plans so
arrangements may need to be made regarding where the Explanation of Benefits will be sent.
Know your state’s minor consent laws and communicate parameters as needed. See Section 4
PrEP and Young People: Laws and Policies for more information.

Avoid assumptions of heteronormativity or behaviors

Do not assume a patient’s gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual behaviors, or number of
partners.

•• Understand the difference between gender and sexuality and how it may apply to your
patients.

-- Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of gender: man/male, woman/female, both,

neither, or another gender.

-- Gender expression is the ways in which a person acts, presents themselves, and
communicates. Gender expression may or may not correspond to assigned gender at birth or
gender identity.

-- Sexuality encompasses sexual orientation (how a person characterizes their emotional and
sexual attraction to others, e.g., heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual), sexual attraction (who
one loves and/or is attracted to) and sexual behaviors.

-- Note that youth who may be questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity may
have changing responses to questions in this area over time.

-- See Glossary of LGBT Terms for Health Care Teams (National LGBT Health Education Center)
for more information.

•• Use gender-neutral language. Ask your patients—especially those who are gender
nonconforming—which pronouns they prefer. Some may prefer the pronouns you and they,
rather than he and she. Some sexual minority youth prefer non-traditional pronouns to
describe themselves such as yo, ze, zhe, hir, they. Instead of asking “What do you and your
girlfriend do together?” ask “Tell me about your partner.” Or, “What do the two of you do
together?”

•• Be familiar with colloquial terminology your patients might use. See Gender & Sexuality
Terminology (LGBT Resource Center, University of California, Riverside) for suggestions.

Be nonjudgmental and supportive

Talking about sensitive topics such as sexual behavior, gender identity, and coming out can be risky
for LGBTQ youth in particular. Keep an open mind and seek to understand what youth need from
this medical encounter in terms of risk reduction and medical care. It is also important that all office
staff be nonjudgmental and welcoming.

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 •• Offer open-ended encouragement. For LGBTQ youth and for particularly sensitive topics:
ask questions to understand their current situation. “Tell me your story.” Ask about feelings,
preferences, thoughts, and behaviors.

•• Ask developmentally appropriate questions. Talk in terms adolescents will understand, taking
note of the adolescent’s age as well as developmental stage.

•• Ask open-ended questions. Practice listening skills. Watch for nonverbal cues as well.

•• Avoid the surrogate parent role. Instead, look for opportunities to offer relevant and
appropriate risk reduction information. Don’t lecture.

•• Be concrete and specific with your questions. See examples in the following pages.

•• Describe how screening tests and results will be delivered. Make sure clinic staff are also
aware of how results will be delivered so that patient confidentiality will be maintained.

•• And remember, it’s a conversation…not a lecture or an interrogation!

Taking the History

Introduction
 Some of my patients your age have started having sex. Have you had sex?
Or
 Are you sexually active?

Partners
 In the past 6 months, how many sex partners have you had?
 Are your sex partners men, women, both, transgender?
 Were any partners known to be HIV positive? How many partners were known to be HIV
positive?

Practices
 What kind of sexual contact do you have or have you had? Genital (penis in the vagina)?
Anal (penis in the anus)? Oral (mouth on penis, vagina or anus)? Other (e.g. digital/finger in
vagina or anus)?
 For men who have sex with men, are you the receptive partner (“the bottom”), the insertive
partner (the “top”) or both (“versatile”)?

Protection from STDs

 Do you use condoms consistently? If not, in which situations are you most likely to use or
not to use a condom?
 How many times did you have vaginal or anal sex without a condom?
 Did you use a condom at your last sexual encounter? (This last question provides an
opportunity to gauge condom use and assess the need for emergency contraception in
women and possible risk of acute HIV infection in all patients.)

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 Past History of STDs
 Have you ever been diagnosed with a STD, such as HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia,
syphilis, genital warts, HPV, or trichomoniasis? When? How were you treated? Did you take
all of your medicine?
 Have you had any recurring symptoms or diagnoses?
 Have you ever been tested for HIV? When was your last HIV test? What was the result?
 Has your current partner or any former partners ever been diagnosed or treated for an
STD? Were you tested for the same STD(s)? If yes, when were you tested? What was the
diagnosis? How was it treated?

Prevention of Pregnancy
 Are you currently trying to conceive a child?
 Are you concerned about getting pregnant or getting your partner pregnant?
 Are you using contraception or practicing any form of birth control? Do you need any
information on birth control (or a referral)?
 Have you used emergency contraception in the past year? If so, how many times?
Note: Repeated use of emergency contraception (EC) is a flag for unprotected sex. Use of
EC twice or more in six months may warrant screening for intimate partner violence (IPV)
as partners may be sabotaging or prohibiting their partner’s use of contraception. See
resources for IPV screening at the end of this form.

Additional questions to identify HIV and hepatitis risk

 Have you or any of your partners been diagnosed with HIV or hepatitis B or C?
 Have you or any of your partners ever injected drugs?
 Have you used methamphetamines/crystal meth, crack, MJ, or any other drugs? Which
one(s)?
 Do you have sex when you have been using drugs or after drinking alcohol?
 Have you had the hepatitis B vaccine (all three doses)?
 Have you had the hepatitis A vaccines (two doses)? (Recommended for men who have sex
with men and injection drug users)
 Have you ever taken pre-exposure prophylaxis (a medication to prevent against HIV)? Or
used a partner’s medication to avoid getting HIV?
 Have you ever taken post-exposure prophylaxis (a medication taken within 72 hours after
sex to prevent against HIV)?

Completing the History

 Is there anything else about your sexual practices that I need to know about to ensure your
good health care?
 Are you or your partner having any sexual difficulties at this time?
 Do you have any sexual concerns you would like to discuss?
After taking the sexual history, thank the patient for being open and honest and commend
any protective practices. For patients at risk of STDs, encourage testing and offer praise for
protective practices. For patients at risk of pregnancy, offer praise for consistent contraceptive
use. After reinforcing positive behavior, address specific high risk practices. Discuss PrEP if
appropriate.
Adapted from A Guide to Taking a Sexual History (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

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 Additional Resources
1. Talking to Patients about Sexuality and Sexual Health (Association of Reproductive Health
Professionals)

2. Taking an Adolescent Sexual History (Bolan, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s Division of STD Prevention)

3. A Clinician’s Guide to Sexual History Taking (California Department of Public Health STD
Branch)

4. Bright Futures Previsit Questionnaires (Early Adolescent, 15–17 Years, and 18–21 Years)
(American Academy of Pediatrics)

5. Office-based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth (Levine and
Committee on Adolescence, American Academy of Pediatrics)

6. Adolescent Friendly Health Services [PowerPoint and video] (Physicians for Reproductive
Health, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Program)

7. Caring for Transgender Adolescents [PowerPoint and video] (Physicians for Reproductive
Health, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Program)

8. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Youth [PowerPoint and video] (Physicians
for Reproductive Health, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Program)

9. Sexual History-Taking: Essential Questions [PowerPoint and video.] (Physicians for

Reproductive Health, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Program)

10. Preexposure prophylaxis for the prevention of HIV infection in the United States-2014: A
clinical practice guideline (US Public Health Service)

Resources for Intimate Partner Violence Screening

1. IPV Screening and Counseling Toolkit (Futures Without Violence)

2. National Coalition of Antiviolence Programs

3. National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233), 800-787-3224 TYY

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