Any update on sexually transmitted infection prevention?
Well as a matter of fact, yes there is!
There is an exciting update on sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. And sexually transmitted infection prevention is one of the things that makes this Nerd go all starry-eyed! 🤩
✨ Medication prevention for chlamydia and syphilis (less effective for gonorrhea), called Doxy PEP or post-exposure prophylaxis or prevention, is now available!
What is Doxy PEP or post-exposure prophylaxis or prevention?
When your first attempt at prevention has failed–think broken condom, no condom or dental dam–and you don’t know the infection status of your partner, you can contact your clinician and ask for Doxy PEP, one 200 mg tablet of doxycycline. It is best taken within 24 hours of unprotected sexual contact, but can be taken up to 72 hours after contact.
💡 Consider getting a prescription before you need it, so you have it on hand!
💡 You can also ask for HIV pre- or post-exposure prevention (PrEP or PEP). That topic and more on HIV prevention and treatment is covered here and here.
⚖️ Health Equity Alert: Most research done on Doxy PEP has been done with men who have sex with men and transgender women who had a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea) in the last year.
Research with cisgender women, trans men and nonbinary people is still needed. If you fall into one of those groups, talk to your clinician about whether Doxy PEP is a good choice for you.
Some things to think about if you are considering Doxy PEP:
🌞 Doxycycline can make you more sensitive to the sun
🍲 Doxycycline is best taken with food to lessen stomach upset
🔬 Doxycycline, as with all antibiotics, can interfere with your healthy gut bacteria
🧰 Doxy PEP is only one tool in your toolbox to help prevent sexually transmitted infections
Other important steps include:
🔸 Using barriers (condoms and dental dams)
🔸 Talking to your partner(s) about their sexual history
🔸 Regularly testing for sexually transmitted infections
🔸 Getting treated for sexually transmitted infections if you test positive
🔸 Considering HIV PrEP or PEP
You can learn more about Doxy PEP here [archived link] and here [archived link].
Enjoy Spring🌷and stay safe!
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls &+
