title: Talk About Sex: Sexual History-Taking Preferences Among Urogynecology Patients and General Gynecology Controls.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate patients' experiences and preferences regarding sexual history taking. We also sought to compare preferences between women in general gynecology versus urogynecology clinics and between women of different ages.
  
  
  
  This is a survey of 219 patients presenting in gynecology and 164 in urogynecology clinics. Surveys were voluntary and anonymous. Survey instruments included questions about sexual function, past experiences, and preferences regarding taking a clinical sexual history.
  
  
  
  Subjects agreed that sexual health is important for overall health and should be asked about regularly. Most respondents were not embarrassed to discuss sexual history. When asked about experience with providers, subjects reported that their primary care providers (PCPs) inquired infrequently about their sexual health. Respondents perceived that obstetrician-gynecologists asked about sexual health more frequently than PCPs. There were no significant differences between general gynecology and urogynecology patients' history-taking preferences. Younger women were more likely to feel that sexual health was an important aspect of overall well-being, whereas older women were more likely to agree that sexual problems are unavoidable with age. On logistic regression, there was an association between the ages of younger than 40 years and expressing agreement that providers should frequently ask patients about sexual health. Agreeing that sexual health is an important part of well-being was also associated with being in the 40 years or younger group.
  
  
  
  Patients place importance on sexual health history as part of their overall health, and providers should more frequently query their patients about this topic. Both PCPs and obstetrician-gynecologists have room for improvement.
authors.affiliation: From the Pelvic Floor Research Group, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Pamela Susan
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Fairchild
authors.forename: Jessica Katherine
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Haefner
authors.forename: Mitchell Brian
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods; D057240:Patient Preference; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000074384:Sexual Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult