ABSTRACT
Raising the issue of sexual health, especially opportunistically, can be difficult in primary care. In family planning and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, the setting provides legitimization to talk about sexual behaviour, but this is not the case in general practice, unless the patient presents with a clearly sex-related concern. Staff vary in the ease and comfort with which they can discuss sexual activities. If people who practise high-risk behaviour are to be identified, sexual histories need to be incorporated into general medical history-taking. There are clear benefits to both patient and professional in taking a sexual history. This is an important element in building a complete picture of a patient and planning appropriate management. The most common symptoms are urethral discharge and/or dysuria in men, and altered vaginal discharge in women. Culture and religion influence people's sexuality in different ways. A basic understanding of homosexual identity, life-styles and practice can aid primary care professionals in offering appropriate and sensitive services.
