What Questions Might My Health Care Provider Ask Me?

Your provider might ask you questions that seem personal, but don’t take it personally. They usually ask all of their patients the same questions. Answering these questions will give your health care provider information to help keep you healthy and safe.

Health care professionals might ask you the following questions about your sexual history and current behaviors:

• Are you sexually active? If no, have you ever been?
• Do you have sex with men, women, both, or another?
• What types of sex do you have (oral, vaginal, anal)?
• How many people have you ever had sex with? In the past six months? In the past 12 months?
• What are you doing to protect yourself from STIs?
• Have you been tested for STIs, including HIV? Would you like to be tested?
• Have you or your partner ever tested positive for an STI? If so, which one(s), and where was the infection found?
• Were you and/or your partner treated?
• Are you or your partner trying to get pregnant?
• Are you concerned about getting pregnant or getting your partner pregnant?
• Are you or your partner using contraception/birth control? Do you need any information about different types of contraception?
• Are you happy with your sex life? Do you have any concerns or questions about your sexual functioning?
• Have you ever been coerced or pressured to have sex or do something you didn’t want to do?
• Do you or your partner use alcohol or illicit drugs when you have sex?