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Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Services

The Importance of Sexual Health and STI Testing

Everyone who is sexually active should make sure to get regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Hepatitis C. STI testing is just as important as your regular checkup with your primary care provider.

Not all people with a sexually transmitted infection will experience symptoms right away. Regular testing can catch an infection you might not know you had.

Make sure to talk to your primary care provider about:

  • What types of sex you engage in, and which part(s) of your body you use for sex
  • Your sexual network, and whether you feel confident that you know the STI status of your sexual partners

Don’t feel comfortable talking about these topics with your current PCP?

  • Let us help you find someone who can provide the care you deserve.
  • Call Member Services 1-800-556-0689, TTY: 711.

Check out Common Questions and Information about PrEP, PEP, and Sexual Health in our Brochure

HIV Prevention: PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

Have you heard of PrEP or PEP? These are tools that can help prevent HIV infection in people who are at risk via sex or injection drug use.

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The word “prophylaxis” means to prevent or control the spread of an infection or disease. PrEP is a medication that HIV-negative individuals can take on an ongoing basis to prevent HIV infection through sex or injection drug use.

Anyone who is sexually active can be a good candidate for PrEP, no matter how many partner(s) you have, how frequently you have sex, your sexual orientation or gender identity.

HIV Prevention: PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.

While PrEP is a medication you can take before exposure to HIV, PEP can help protect you after exposure to HIV.

If you have experienced a possible exposure to HIV through sex or needle sharing, starting PEP within 72 hours can protect you from HIV. PEP pills are taken for 28 days after a known or suspected exposure.

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, PEP may be right for you:

  • Did you have sex without using a condom or did a condom break when you were having sex with someone who is HIV-positive or whose HIV status you don’t know?
  • Were you forced into sex against your will?
  • Did you share injection drug equipment, like a syringe or needle?

PEP should be used only in emergency situations.

If you think you were exposed to HIV, you can contact your primary care provider, or call the NYC PEP hotline at (844) 3-PEPNYC (844-373-7692) or go immediately to a clinic or emergency room and ask for PEP.

PrEP is for Everyone

There are four forms of PrEP available: two are pills that can be taken once daily, or one can be taken on demand in special circumstances; the third and fourth are long-acting, injectable medications. PrEP is for everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Anyone who is sexually active, injects drugs, or is interested in HIV prevention should talk to their primary care provider and consider starting PrEP. Research shows that many Black and Hispanic people, women, and young people who would benefit from PrEP are not on PrEP. If you identify within these communities, consider discussing if PrEP is right for you with your primary care provider to ensure you are not overlooked.

What PrEP Option is Right for Me?

Types of PrEP Available:

  • TRUVADA (emtricitabine/ tenofovir df) is an oral pill approved for all people at risk of HIV. It can be taken once daily or in certain circumstances “on demand.”
  • DESCOVY (emtricitabine/ tenofovir af) is a daily oral pill approved for sexually active men and transgender women at risk of contracting HIV through sex or injection drug use. Descovy has not been studied for HIV prevention in people assigned female at birth.
  • APRETUDE (cabotegravir) is a long-acting, injectable form of PrEP. It is an intramuscular injection administered every 2 months by a health care provider. It is a good option for anybody who struggles to take once-daily pills, is concerned about side effects from oral PrEP, or prefers long-acting, injectable medications.
  • YEZTUGO (lenacapavir) is a long-acting injectable form of PrEP approved for adults and adolescents. It requires two initial injections and pills over 2 days, followed by an injection every 6 months.

What if I Have Concerns About Taking a Pill Every Day?

If you struggle with taking daily pills, or don’t stay sexually active enough to feel that a once-daily pill is a suitable strategy for you, you have two options:

  • Long-Acting Injectable PrEP
    Apretude and Yeztugo are the two approved long-acting injectable forms of PrEP. Apretude is administered by a health care provider every two months in the form of an intramuscular injection to the buttock. Individuals taking Apretude need to see their PCP every two months. Yeztugo is administered by a health care provider every six months in the form of two subcutaneous injections to the stomach area or upper thigh. Apretude and Yeztugo are good options for anybody who struggles to take once-daily pills.
  • 2-1-1 PrEP or “On-Demand” PrEP
    PrEP On Demand refers to taking PrEP only in preparation for planned sexual encounters, via the “2-1-1” method. This means taking two pills 2-24 hours before sex; one pill 24 hours after the first dose, and one pill 24 hours after the second dose.
    • 2-1-1 refers to taking:
      • Two pills 2-24 hours before sex
      • One pill 24 hours after the initial dose
      • One final pill 24 hours after the second dose.

PrEP On Demand might be preferred by individuals who only engage in infrequent, planned sexual encounters. PrEP On Demand does require advanced planning and is not a reliable prevention method for spontaneous sexual encounters. It has only been studied in cisgender men engaging in anal sex with other cisgender men. It has not been studied in people assigned female at birth, people taking estrogens, or for vaginal sex.

What If I Experience Side Effects?

Each PrEP option comes with its own risk of side effects. Patients regularly taking PrEP will be checked by their prescriber regularly for sexually transmitted infections and signs of side effects.

Will PrEP interfere with my other medications?

  • Some PrEP medications might have interactions with other medications. Always talk to your provider about which other medications you’re taking before starting PrEP.
  • PrEP is safe and effective for transgender and non-binary patients taking Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT)). PrEP for trans and non-binary people | Guides | HIV i-Base

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DoxyPEP

Doxy-PEP refers to taking the antibiotic doxycycline after sex to reduce your chance of acquiring syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia by about two-thirds. Two 100-mg pills of doxycycline should be taken ideally within 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours, after condomless sex. Doxy-PEP is not effective for vaginal sex.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic, so Doxy-PEP only helps prevent bacterial STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. It does not protect against HIV, mpox, herpes, or other viral infections. It is not the same medication used for HIV PEP, and the two are not interchangeable. To access Doxy-PEP, talk to your PCP or go to a New York City Sexual Health Clinic.

More information can be found at: Emergency Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) – NYC Health

Resources

For more information, talk to your doctor and check out trusted government websites, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Find an HIV testing site or HIV services near you.