Understanding Women's Sexual Behaviors That May Put Them at Risk for Human Papillomavirus-Related Neoplasias: What Should We Ask?

OBJECTIVES:Human papillomavirus is a multifocal infection that can involve the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, and oropharynx. Our study aimed to determine whether standard sexual history questions regarding anal intercourse identify women participating in anal-related sexual practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the dysplasia clinic of a large academic medical center. Women presenting with human papillomavirus-related cervical, vulvar, or vaginal abnormalities were eligible. Participants completed a self-administered sexual history questionnaire that included standard sexual history questions and more detailed questions about sexual practices. Additional demographic information was obtained from chart review. RESULTS:A total of 149 eligible women were approached, 125 (84%) consented and enrolled (ages = 21-65 years). Forty-seven (44%) reported participating in some type of anal-related sexual practice: anal fingering, oral-anal penetration, or anal intercourse. Of those participating in anal-related practices, 5 (11%) reported only anal fingering or oral-anal penetration. Thus, adding the new anal questions detected an additional 5% of women with high-risk anal behaviors that may have been missed by the standard question (p = .06). Seventy-nine women (63%) reported receiving oral penetration of the vagina, and 102 (82%) reported receiving vaginal fingering. Fifty-nine women (47%) used sex toys: 58 (98%) used sex toys vaginally, with 5 (8.5%) using them also anally. CONCLUSIONS:Women are willing to report their participation in a range of sexual practices. Of those who participated in anal practices, 11% did not have anal intercourse. Adding additional sexual health questions to clinical intake forms may enable clinicians to better counsel their patients on risky sexual behaviors.