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Approach to lubricant use for sexual activity

Author/s: 
Ryleigh Vanderschee, Sanja Kostov

Objective: To present health care providers with an inclusive, evidence-based framework to identify patients who may benefit from lubricant use during sexual activity, and assist patients in selecting a lubricant tailored to their specific needs.

Sources of information: A MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google search was performed for white and grey literature published from 2003 to 2024. Interdisciplinary experts in sexual health also conducted an iterative review.

Main message: Lubricant use during sexual activity has numerous benefits, minimal harms, and can play a role in managing many common sexual health concerns encountered in primary care. However, counselling on lubricant use can be challenging due to a lack of accessible, evidence-based clinical tools. Consequently, clinicians are often hesitant to discuss lubricant use and can only offer anecdotal advice. Lubricant use is especially beneficial for patients using condoms or experiencing dryness, pain (eg, dyspareunia), or dysfunction during sex. There are 3 main types of lubricants available: oil-, silicone-, and water-based products. For patients who use condoms or who experience recurrent vaginal infections or irritation, silicone- or water-based lubricants are recommended, which are free of harmful ingredients and are within recommended osmolality and pH ranges.

Conclusion: Lubricant use during sexual activity can enhance sexual well-being across diverse patient populations. This review summarizes evidence and provides practical tools to help clinicians integrate counselling on lubricant use into routine sexual health discussions.

Keywords 
Lubricant Sexual Health sexual behavior

Adolescent-Centered Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication

Author/s: 
Bianca A Allison, Tracey A Wilkinson, Julie Maslowsky

This JAMA Insights explores how clinicians can effectively communicate person-centered health care information to adolescents regarding sexual and reproductive health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment.

Keywords 
contraception adolescent sexual behavior

Adolescent-Centered Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication

Author/s: 
Bianca A Allison, Tracey A Wilkinson, Julie Maslowsky

This JAMA Insights explores how clinicians can effectively communicate person-centered health care information to adolescents regarding sexual and reproductive health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment.

Keywords 
adolescent sexuality sexually transmitted diseases

A Practical Guide To Conducting A Child Sexual Abuse Examination

Author/s: 
Gifford, J.

If you work with children, then you are seeing children who have been sexually abused. Many presentations in a health setting go unrecognised.

It is a field of paediatric practice that has changed rapidly over the last fifteen years. The evidence base is now set out by the RCPCH, giving a much clearer steer on the interpretation of physical signs. There has been a shift from examinations being provided within a child protection rota, to being carried out by specialists in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). In many places, this has meant regionalisation of the service, and in some places, provision outside the NHS. There has been a seismic cultural change in recognition of, and response to, sexual abuse in society as a whole.

Alongside this, the internet has created new ways of grooming and exploitation, and linked together those who seek to normalise CSA offending. The challenge to paediatrics (and to safeguarding and criminal justice systems), is to meet the need that these developments have exposed.

Keywords 
child abuse Sexual abuse Examination

A Practical Guide To Conducting A Child Sexual Abuse Examination

Author/s: 
Gifford, J.

If you work with children, then you are seeing children who have been sexually abused. Many presentations in a health setting go unrecognised.

It is a field of paediatric practice that has changed rapidly over the last fifteen years. The evidence base is now set out by the RCPCH, giving a much clearer steer on the interpretation of physical signs. There has been a shift from examinations being provided within a child protection rota, to being carried out by specialists in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). In many places, this has meant regionalisation of the service, and in some places, provision outside the NHS. There has been a seismic cultural change in recognition of, and response to, sexual abuse in society as a whole.

Alongside this, the internet has created new ways of grooming and exploitation, and linked together those who seek to normalise CSA offending. The challenge to paediatrics (and to safeguarding and criminal justice systems), is to meet the need that these developments have exposed.

Keywords 
child abuse Sexual abuse Examination
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