Assess risk during every patient’s first visit, during all comprehensive health assessments, and when evidence suggests changing behavior.
Qualify the discussion of sexual health by emphasizing that the discussion is routine with every patient.
Underscore the importance of needing to know the patient’s sexual practices in order to determine appropriate screening and counseling interventions for optimal care.
Remind the patient that the discussion is confidential.
Negotiate with the patient about the information that will be included in the medical record; dispel the patient’s concerns about the accessibility of the information to insurers, employers, and others.
Avoid terms such as “gay,” ”queer,” and “straight” when asking or talking about sexual practices or sexual identity.
Avoid making assumptions about sexual behavior based on the patient’s age, marital status, disability, or other characteristics.
Ask specific questions about sexual behavior in a direct, nonjudgmental manner:
	“Are you sexually active?”
	“Do you have sex with men, women, or both?”
	”How many sexual partners do you have?”
	“How often do you use condoms?”
	“What kind of sexual acts do you engage in?”
Assess the patient’s history of sexually transmitted infections.