by: Kyla Horn, Program Manager, AAEKY
When it comes to someone’s overall well-being, their sexual health plays a key role. Understanding one’s sexual health history helps providers when it comes to screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), family planning, and more. This is an important conversation , but following the 6 P’s can provide a strong structure for this crucial discussion. While using the 6P structure, it is important to take a gender-inclusive sexual health history with all patients, not just the ones who have disclosed that they are transgender or gender nonbinary.
1) Partners
“Are you currently having sex of any kind?”
“Can you tell me about the gender(s) and bodies of your partner(s)?”
2) Practices
“To understand any risks for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), I need to ask more specific questions about the kind of sex you have had recently.”
“What kind of sexual contact do you have, or have you had?”
“Do you have vaginal sex, meaning ‘penis in vagina’ sex?”
“Do you have anal sex, meaning ‘penis in rectum/anus’ sex?”
“Do you have oral sex, meaning ‘mouth on penis/vagina’ sex?”
3) Protection
“Do you and your partner(s) discuss prevention of STIs and HIV?”
“Do you and your partner(s) discuss getting tested?”
“What protection methods do you use?”
4) Past History
“Have you ever been tested for STIs and HIV?”
“Have you ever been diagnosed with an STI in the past?”
“Have any of your partner(s) had an STI?”
“Have you or any of your partner(s) ever injected drugs?”
“Is there anything about your sexual health that you have questions about?”
5) Pregnancy Desires
“Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?”
6) Sexual Pleasure, Problems Pride
“Are you satisfied with your sex life right now?”
“Are you on the same page as your partner(s) about sexual desires and boundaries?”
“Are you have any difficulties or problems when you have sex, such as pain, vaginal dryness, low desire, not having an orgasm, or issues getting or maintaining an erection?”
“Are you having sex you don’t want to be having or experiencing violence in your sex life?”
“Do you have any questions or concerns?”
Adapted from: Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
Are you a provider? Get certified in One Key Question®, a patient-centered framework for healthcare providers, social service providers, and champions to routinely ask their patients about pregnancy desires and goals and offer personalized counseling and care. Visit Bedsider Providers (sign up here for our newsletter) to stay in the know about new research, methods, and clinical perspectives.
Information from the National Coalition for Sexual Health to help health care providers integrate the 6th P questions into practice.
Visit the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Center for training and e-learning specific to client-centered STI counseling.
Are you a young person? Visit Bedsider.org, the world’s largest online birth control support network. Check out BCBenefits, a contraceptive access fund, to see if you’re qualified for free birth control!
If you live in Kentucky and are currently uninsured (or do not want to use your parent’s insurance), you could be eligible for:
a free virtual birth control visit with one of our telehealth partners and a free one-year supply of the birth control pill mailed directly to you
reimbursement for an in-person visit with any health provider to get the birth control method of your choice
free roundtrip ride to cover travel to and from an in-person appointment
If you live in Kentucky and are currently insured, you may qualify for:
a free roundtrip ride to cover travel to and from a birth control appointment with your healthcare provider
To learn more about or sign up for BCBenefits at: https://www.bedsider.org/where_to_get_it/bcbenefits/about
To learn more about AAEKY and to stay up to date with our work, be sure to visit our website at https://www.allaccesseky.org/ .