Today, there are many options to prevent HIV, enjoy an active sex life, and maintain your sexual health.
“Being informed and seeing your health care provider regularly is your best defense against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV,” says Todd Estabrook, MD, a primary care physician with Mount Sinai Doctors.
Todd Estabrook, MD
In this Q&A, Dr. Estabrook, who is also Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, outlines the options for preventing HIV and best practices for sexual health.
What are the best ways to prevent HIV?
There are two effective ways to prevent HIV: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and using condoms. Open communication with your partners about sexual health is also vital. Discussing STI status, testing history, and prevention methods can help build trust and ensure that everyone involved is taking steps to stay healthy. Sexual health is an essential part of your overall health, so getting regular screenings and maintaining open communication are key to enjoying a healthy sex life while minimizing risks.
What is PrEP?
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, includes several options of prescription medications that are used to reduce the risk of contracting HIV before an exposure. It’s a powerful tool in our fight against the HIV epidemic. For those at higher risk, such as individuals with partners living with HIV or those who engage in sex without consistent condom use, PrEP can be a game changer. Studies have shown that when taken as prescribed, PrEP can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by about 99 percent. It’s an incredibly effective measure that empowers you to take control of your sexual health. However, it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. PrEP is available as a daily pill or as a long-acting injection.
What is DoxyPEP?
DoxyPEP, or doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, is another powerful prevention strategy. DoxyPEP involves taking a one-time dose the antibiotic doxycycline after potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections. Studies show that DoxyPEP can reduce the incidence of certain bacterial STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. While it’s not a replacement for other prevention methods, it can be an additional tool to reduce STI rates.
Why is it important to use condoms?
While PrEP and DoxyPEP are highly effective against HIV and certain bacterial STIs respectively, they do not protect against all sexually transmitted infections. This is where safe sex practices come into play. Using condoms consistently and correctly is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your partners from a wide range of STIs. Condoms are easily accessible, affordable, and when used properly, are very effective.
Why is it important to get screened regularly?
Regular STI screenings are crucial. Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning you might not know you have one. Regular testing allows for early detection and treatment, which helps you and prevents the spread to partners.
Using these precautions, you can enjoy a healthy sex life while minimizing risks. Your health care provider is an important resource in maintaining your sexual health—so don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions.