PrEP: More than the Basics

Thanks to major scientific advances, HIV is more preventable than ever. If you are sexually active, stay informed about preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You may already know about some HIV prevention options, but there are probably more than you realize. Both internal condoms (a.k.a. female condoms) and external condoms (a.k.a. male condoms) work to reduce fluid exchange during sex, which prevents HIV and STIs from passing between partners. Getting tested for HIV and other STIs with your partner(s) is another way to reduce the chances of getting HIV. And if your partner is living with HIV, you can talk to them about exploring treatment as prevention (TasP). People who use TasP are taking their HIV medication consistently to get to an undetectable viral load (so low that standard tests cannot detect HIV in the blood, even though it is still present in the body). You can find more information on TasP here. PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a newer method of prevention for those who are at high risk of getting the virus. Its a pill taken once a day before exposure to HIV. When taken consistently, it is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV infection. It is important to note that PrEP is less effective if not taken consistently, so taking it daily is key. We've written about PrEP before, but we wanted to give you even more information on deciding whether or not its right for you.

What Do You Need To Know About PrEP?

  • PrEP does not prevent other STIs or pregnancy. Using PrEP with condoms and other prevention methods provides even greater protection.
  •  PrEP is only available by prescription from a health care provider.
  • PrEP must be taken as prescribed (daily) to be effective. If you use PrEP, you must be committed to taking the pill every day and seeing your health care provider every 3 months for follow up.
  •  PrEP is safe and generally well tolerated. Most people who take Truvada for PrEP don’t feel any side effects. If they do occur, it’s usually within the first 1 to 4 weeks, and then they subside. If you take PrEP and experience side effects that don’t go away, tell your health care provider immediately.
  • The only medication currently approved for PrEP is Truvada .

Who Might Consider Taking PrEP?

  •  If you are having condomless sex with a partner whose HIV status is unknown to you,PrEP may be right for you.
  • PrEP works for men. It works for women. PrEP works for people of trans experience and people who are gender non-conforming.
  • PrEP works for folks who identify as gay, straight, queer. It works for youth. PrEP works for all people.
  • Best of all, PrEP puts the power in YOUR hands. The choice to start PrEP and to take it every day is yours. You can take PrEP as long as it makes sense for your sex life and relationships.

Who Can Prescribe PrEP?

  • While you do need a prescription to get PrEP, you don’t have to see a special doctor.
  • If you already have a primary care provider, they may be a great place to start.
  • Family planning and sexual health clinics are another place to start.
  • If you don’t have a provider, or if you’d rather go to someone different, PleasePrEPMe.org can help you find someone to suit your needs.
  • You may also be able to get the medication through an online medical screening and mail order prescription service if you live in an area with no easily accessible PrEP providers.

How to Approach Your Provider About PrEP?

  • Having open communication with your provider is important. But it’s not always easy.
  • If you feel uncomfortable talking to your provider, or even judged by them, switch to someone you feel more comfortable with.
  • You deserve a provider who is willing to listen to you, who attempts to understand you, and who works to support your choices about your body.
  • Its also helpful to remember that not all providers have PrEP on their radar. That's changing, but you may find that your provider needs more information. There is a lot of helpful advice on talking to your doctor about PrEP.

How Do You Pay For PrEP?

  • Most health insurance plans including Medi-Cal, Medicare, and many private insurance plans cover PrEP. If insurance isn't an option for you, there are medication assistance programs that can help people pay for their medicine.
  • If you are on someone else's insurance, you still have the right to confidential health care. Private insurance companies often send bills and Explanation of Benefits paperwork to the policyholder (the person whose insurance you are on). In some cases, calling and asking your insurance company not to send the paperwork can solve the issue.
  • In California, patients can complete a form and send it to their insurance company to make sure their information remains private. While this area of health reform is still unfolding, there is an ongoing conversation about how to protect privacy for people who get their insurance coverage from someone else.
  • When it comes to PrEP, and HIV prevention in general, there's so much more to share. You can connect with us and other PrEP users on HIV blogs . You can also check out the CDC PrEP resources page, PrEP Facts, and the PrEP Facts Women and TransMSM Facebook groups.

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