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Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Services

Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Services

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.

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

With three forms of PrEP currently available on the market, there is a suitable option for you. 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 Disoproxil Fumarate) is a once-daily pill approved for HIV prevention in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds.
  • Descovy (Emtricitabine / Tenofovir Alafenamide) is a once-daily pill approved for HIV Prevention in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds. Descovy for PrEP is not approved for use in people born female (assigned female at birth) who are at risk of getting an HIVinfection from receptive vaginal sex, because this use has not been studied in clinical trials.
  • Apretude (Cabotegravir) is a long-acting injectable medication, administered by your primary care provider once every 2 months. Apretude is approved for HIV prevention in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds.

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)
  • 2-1-1 PrEP or “On-Demand” PrEP
    • 2-1-1- PrEP is a non-daily PrEP dosing strategy that has been studied and found successful for preventing HIV infection through anal sex. It has been studied mostly in men who have sex with men, as well as a small number of transgender people.
    • 2-1-1 refers to taking:
      • Two Truvada pills 2-24 hours before sex
      • One Truvada pill 24 hours after the initial dose
      • One final Truvada pill 24 hours after the second dose.
    • 2-1-1 PrEP can be an effective way to prevent HIV infection for planned sexual encounters. Make sure to speak with your provider about which PrEP strategy and medication is best for you.

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

New PrEP campaign videos
(click on image below)

DoxyPEP

DoxyPEP is a preventative strategy after sex, which can help reduce the chance of getting bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis by up to 66%. It was studied in transgender women, as well as gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. It is appropriate for both people who are HIV negative and HIV positive. It can be used by anyone assigned male at birth who has sex with other people assigned male at birth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Speak with your PCP about whether DoxyPEP might be a helpful tool for you.

DoxyPEP means taking an oral antibiotic called doxycycline within 72 hours of sex, and this needs to be prescribed by a healthcare provider.

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.

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