From Elizabeth Gunther Stewart, MD
Updated July 15, 2005
WHITE PLAINS, NY - It's best to enter a new relationship with no hidden medical issues, particularly ones that pertain to sexual history. A recent survey conducted for the Vagisil Women's Health Center (VWHC) found that 42 percent of single U.S. women aged 18 and older are in monogamous relationships (65 percent of U.S. women overall), and 11 percent of all women have had multiple sexual partners in the past five years. With so much riding on one's sexual health history, women should be taking extra steps when they do find the right person so that their past doesn't come back to haunt them -- and their partner.
Patients need to be honest with their doctors about their sexual history and practices, including precautions they've taken on a consistent basis. It's best to tell your gynecologist everything - even something that you may think is unimportant can be relevant to your doctor. It's best to let your doctor decide, since one misstep can follow you for the rest of your life if it remains hidden.
There are four main areas that women should address with their physician when they enter into a new relationship:
Annual Gynecological exam and discussion of sexual activity/history: While you should have an annual gynecological exam that includes a discussion of sexual activity/practices, this is especially important prior to involving a new partner. However, the VWHC survey found that 53 percent of women report that they were not asked about their sexual activity as part of their gynecologist/doctor's appointment. Women need to be proactive regarding their feminine health, and sexuality is so much a part of that. Bottom line is that if you doctor doesn't ask, you must bring up issues or questions you may have. This is true regardless of your age since many women are sexually active throughout their lives.Click here to read more...
