Sexual health and PrEP discussions should be part of routine care

To assess the risk of getting an STI, it is important to determine the number and gender of an individual’s sex partners. Never make assumptions about the individual’s sexual orientation or the gender identity of the individual or partners.²

Questions to help determine if PrEP could be beneficial²:

• Are you currently having sex of any kind—oral, vaginal, or anal—with anyone? (Are you having sex?)
• If no, have you ever had sex of any kind with another person?
• In recent months, how many sex partners have you had?
• What is/are the gender(s) of your sex partner(s)?
• Do you or your partner(s) currently have other sex partners?

Asking about sex practices can help determine necessary testing and if PrEP could be beneficial.²

Questions to help determine if PrEP could be beneficial²:

• I need to ask some more specific questions about the kinds of sex you have had over the last 12 months to better understand if you are at risk for STIs. We have different tests that are used for the different body parts people use to have sex. Would that be OK?
• What kind of sexual contact do you have, or have you had? What parts of your body are involved when you have sex?

Help individuals stay protected from STIs, including HIV.²

Questions to help determine if PrEP could be beneficial²:

• Do you and your partner(s) discuss STI prevention?
• If you use prevention tools, what methods do you use (for example, external or internal condoms—also known as male or female condoms—dental dams, etc)?
• How often do you use this/these method(s)?
• If “sometimes,” in which situations, or with whom, do you use each method?
• Are you aware of PrEP, a medicine that can prevent HIV? Have you ever used it or considered using it?

A history of prior STIs may make the individual more likely to get another STI, including HIV. Help individuals stay protected from STIs, including HIV.²

Questions to help determine if PrEP could be beneficial²:

• Have you ever been tested for STIs and HIV? Would you like to be tested?
• Have you been diagnosed with an STI in the past? When? Did you get treatment?
• Have you had any symptoms that keep coming back?
• Has your current partner or any former partners ever been diagnosed or treated for an STI? Were you tested for the same STI(s)? Do you know the HIV status of your partner(s)?

You should determine if the individual or the individual’s partner(s) could become pregnant. It is important to understand pregnancy intention and what information or protection they need.²

Questions to help determine if PrEP could be beneficial²:

• Do you think you would like to have (more) children at some point?
• When do you think that might be?
• How important is it to you to prevent pregnancy (until then)?
• Are you or your partner using contraception or practicing any form of birth control? Would you like to talk about ways to prevent pregnancy? Do you need any information on birth control?