Medical and midwifery students need increased sexual medicine education to overcome barriers hindering bringing up sexual health issues – A national study of final-year medical and midwifery students in Finland

•Previous studies show that patients’ possible sexual problems are seldomly inquired.•The students expressed being competent in discussing sexual issues with patients.•However, a majority considered being unable to assess patients’ sexual problems.•Both student groups reported several barriers hindering raising sexual issues.•Thus, sexual medicine education should be increased, especially in medical schools.