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Oxford Textbook of Medicine (5 ed.)

Edited by David A. Warrell, Timothy M. Cox, John D. Firth

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Latest update

The November 2012 update sees updates to over 70 chapters, focusing on Neurology and Gastroenterology. This update also incorporates a selection of 29 Case Histories taken from related titles in the Oxford Case Histories series, linked to from related chapters. Each case includes several questions followed by detailed answers and discussion to enhance diagnostic and clinical understanding.

Neurology updates include substantial updates to key chapters and new material on a wide range of topics including spinal cord injury, autonomic nervous system disorders, and inherited neurodegenerative diseases. 

Gastroenterology updates include extensive revisions of key chapters on liver failure and acute pancreatitis and new material on a wide range of matters, ranging from the common to the rare: including surgical treatments for colonic diverticular disease, antibody tests for immune disorders, and a revised treatment algorithm for small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

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Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Print Publication Date:
May 2010
Print ISBN-13:
9780199204854
Published to Oxford Medicine:
May 2012
DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199204854.001.1

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Disclaimer

Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

Contents

Sexual behaviour

Chapter:
Sexual behaviour
Author(s):

Anne M. Johnson,

Catherine H. Mercer

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199204854.003.0802

Discussion of sexual lifestyle and the ability to take a sexual history are relevant to a wide range of clinical practice. Most of the population is attracted to, and has sex, exclusively with people of the opposite sex. The age at which people first have sex has decreased in recent decades, increasing the time available to accumulate sexual partners and thus be at risk of STIs, including HIV. While many people have few partners, a small proportion of the population has many.

People with many partners are most at risk of STIs, but there are a number of other influences including the gender, age, and ethnicity of their partners and the type of sexual practice. Strategies to reduce the adverse consequences of sexual behaviour (including STIs and unintended pregnancy) tend therefore to encourage reducing partner numbers, using condoms and effective contraception, and engaging in less risky practices.

Sexual function problems are relatively common and need to be considered in a range of clinical consultations.

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