EVALUATING HER VAGINAL HEALTH

Many providers say they don't raise sexual issues because they are uncomfortable with the subject, fear offending the patient, have no treatments to offer, or feel constrained by time. At the same time, 68% of patients cited fear of embarrassing a provider as a reason for not raising sexual issues.1 Clearly, discussing sex is difficult for both providers and patients.

STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PLAN

The following steps may help facilitate conversation with your patient. After all, communicating openly with patients and families is an effective cornerstone of providing quality healthcare.2

STEP 1: ASK YOURSELF THE TOUGHER QUESTIONS

Some providers may feel that their patients' sexual lives are too personal to ask about. Meanwhile, patients may assume their providers will tell them what they need to know. It's important healthcare providers ask themselves the tougher questions first.1

ASK YOURSELF

  • What are my own feelings about sexual matters?
  • Am I able to listen to and interpret patients' sexual values, experiences, and concerns?
  • Do I encourage enough trust from my patients to openly communicate about sex or sexual matters?

STEP 2: PUT PATIENTS AT EASE

Patients may have difficulty talking to healthcare providers about sexual health for many reasons, even when they clearly are sexually active. Most people are not encouraged to discuss sexual matters openly.3

Try to put patients at ease, and let them know that taking a sexual history is an important part of a regular medical exam or physical history.

GIVE THIS A TRY

  • Remain warm and friendly, even if a patient seems distant or aloof
  • Give advice after the patient is done speaking and expressing their message
  • Assure your patients confidentiality, respect, and nonjudgment

"Just so you know, I ask these questions to all of my adult and young patients, regardless of age, gender, or marital status. These questions are as important as your physical and mental health. Like the rest of our visits, this information is kept in strict confidence. Do you have any questions before we get started?"

STEP 3: LISTEN AND ASK QUESTIONS

Asking questions can help you understand your patient's at-home habits and determine whether or not she is practicing optimal care. Open-ended questions can provide a potent way of understanding another's position or feelings.2,4

Listen to what is being said (this doesn't mean you must agree with it). Maintain eye contact and make encouraging remarks such as 'I see what you are saying...' or 'Go on...'.2,4

ASK PATIENTS

  • Do you use OTC or douching products? If so, how often?
  • Do you like to take bubble baths or use scented soaps? Why?
  • If you're sexually active, how often do you have sex?
  • When did you start feeling like something was off?
  • What symptoms are you experiencing?
  • How do you feel about [X] medication? Would you like to discuss any side effects?

Evidence shows that when communication is compassionate and empathetic, patients talk more openly about their symptoms and concerns.2

STEP 4: FOLLOW-UP

Appropriate follow-up can help you identify misunderstandings, answer questions, make further assessments, or adjust treatments. In addition, follow-up helps to promote a good working relationship between you and your patients.5

  • Decide on the reasons for follow-up
    • Is it to monitor health, reinforce knowledge, or confirm treatment regimens?
  • Ask patients to record information
    • Having patients track key changes and share that information with you between visits can help you provide better diagnosis and Rx.
  • Identify who will follow up with patients
    • Primary Care Clinician
    • Nurse and Medical Assistant
    • Pharmacist

Visit Patient & Practice Tools for a downloadable version of the Do's & Don'ts For Patients and the Patient Factsheet. If you'd like to learn about current and future BV treatments, visit Treating Her BV.

68% OF WOMEN WITH BV

wish they had spoken to their HCP sooner about their BV symptoms.6*

*SURVEY METHODOLOGY

Survey conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Symbiomix Therapeutics, LLC, a Lupin Company and the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) within the United States between September 14 and 29, 2017 among 304 US women aged 18-49 who have been diagnosed by a healthcare professional with bacterial vaginosis (BV) within the past 2 years ("women with bacterial vaginosis"). Figures for age, income, race/ethnicity, region, education, and size of household were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.6

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