Talking With Your Health Care Provider About Sexual Health

Talking openly about sexual health with your health care provider is necessary. This lets them ask you questions and share important information that can help you choose what is right for you. 
You may feel uncomfortable bringing up certain topics with your provider. Knowing what to say and ask can make talking easier. Here are a couple of tips to help get started:

Get ready for your visit

Before your visit, write down a list of questions you have about topics like:

• Birth control.
• Pregnancy.
• How to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STI).
• STI testing.
• The safety of STI medicines.

Start talking

During your visit, your provider may ask you questions about your sexual health and practices. There are no wrong answers to these questions! Being open helps you and your provider make a plan that is right for you. If your provider does not ask you about sexual health, feel free to bring it up. For example, you can say: 

• "I want to make sure that I'm aware of all of my sexual health options. Can you tell me about them?”
• "I brought a list of questions about sexual health that I want to ask you.” 
• “I’d like you to know these things about my sexual past so that you can better help me.” 

You need to know your options to choose the right ones for you. Working with your provider can help you choose wisely and protect your health.