The field of sexual history emerged out of activism. The early founders were activists and independent scholars who wanted to tell the story of sexuality for the community. Now, the history of sexuality is a well-established field, with scholars able to write academic books and publish in a variety of outlets. The field has a diverse range of subjects, ranging from the history of popular culture to the history of the world’s sexual orientation.
Symptoms
If you have been having sex with multiple partners and haven’t been using a condom, you may be at risk for STIs. Some of the symptoms of STIs are burning or soreness during urination, vaginal discharge, and bumps in the genital area. Your health care provider can help you determine if you have an STI and what to do about it. Testing for STIs is inexpensive and routine. The sooner you seek treatment, the better.
Most symptoms of gonorrhea resolve within two to six weeks of contracting the disease, but if left untreated, they can recur or even last for longer periods of time. Failing to get treatment at this stage will cause the disease to progress to a more serious stage.
Importance
Taking a sexual history is an essential part of medical practice. It provides the basis for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). A physician’s knowledge of a patient’s history will help them tailor their consultations and organise further investigations. Sexual health screening and history-taking should be incorporated into the medical curriculum at every visit. If appropriate, blood tests for syphilis and HIV should be offered to every patient. Wherever possible, pre-test counseling should also be provided.
The importance of taking a sexual history is important for providing comprehensive patient care and creating a positive environment for patients who are LGBT. The medical student sexual history taking module is a practical, interactive course that engages learners in discussion and practice. The program is designed for first and second-year medical students with basic communication skills and can be taught in three one-hour sessions.
Techniques
The Sexual History Taking Curriculum (SHTC) was introduced at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2009. It is based on current literature and adapted using the 5 “P’s” model of the Centers for Disease Control. The SHTC session can be held at any point during the medical school curriculum. The ideal time to implement the SHTC is after the students have completed the basic communications portion of the curriculum. The sessions are designed to be facilitated by faculty members.
The sexual history taking module engages medical students in practice and discussion. The module is designed for first and second-year medical students with basic communication skills and is best delivered in three one-hour small-group sessions.
Privacy
In order to make patients feel comfortable discussing their sexual history, providers must establish a nonjudgmental attitude and use nonjudgmental language. This attitude should be conveyed by body language and the way the room is set up. Using the patient’s name and maintaining eye contact is also beneficial. The patient should also be given adequate time to speak. One study found that an increase in time from nine to thirteen minutes increased the rate of personal disclosures by 32 percent.
While creating a confidential and nonjudgmental environment is similar for both LGBT and heterosexual patients, it is important to be more tactful and sensitive to the individual’s needs and desires. In addition, therapists should be mindful that LGBT individuals are likely to approach the clinical interview with more anxiety and internalized homophobia. As such, it may be necessary to spend additional time to make the interview less intimidating.
Risks
It is important to understand the sexual history of a partner to determine if it carries any risks of HIV infection. The types of sexual practice that a person engages in can also affect their risk of contracting HIV. These practices include oral, anal, and vaginal sexual practices. These types of practices are important for determining a person’s risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
A healthcare provider should begin the sexual history taking process by asking an open-ended question. This will allow the provider to identify the most salient aspects of a patient’s sexual history. It is also helpful for the healthcare provider to listen to the language that a patient uses to discuss sexual health. The healthcare provider should then mirror the language of the patient.