My life on PrEP!
- JoJo Bear
- Dec 6, 2017
- 3 min read
Over 3 years ago, my doctor told me that if every gay man who was sexually active got on PrEP, the spread of HIV would diminish in the gay community. That really made me think about getting on Truvada.
I hadn't really been engaging in a lot of high risk behavior like having unprotected anal sex, well, at least not bottoming, but I was having sex. I waited about six months after my doctor's little talk with me and then decided to get on PrEP.
What is PrEP you may ask?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is a combination of two drugs; (tenofovir and emtricitabine), sold under the name Truvada. It is drug that is approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent an HIV-negative person from getting HIV from a sexual or injection-drug-using partner who’s HIV positive.
How does it work?
You just take one pill per day! It's estimated that it takes at least seven days for PrEP to reach high levels of protection in the body. When used correctly, Truvada for PrEP provides 92%–99% reduction in HIV risk for HIV-negative individuals who take the pills every day as directed.
How much does it cost?
Truvada is a prescription drug and is covered my most insurance plans, so go see your doctor to obtain a prescription. There is also a medication assistance program from the company Gilead, who is the manufacturer of the drug.
Here is a video from that gives a overview of PrEP.
One important thing to remember: although PrEP is 90% effective for lowering the risk of catching HIV if you take it daily, it does not protect from the transmission of other STI's.
After being on PrEP for almost 2 years, I have felt more comfortable around sex, especially if it involves anal sex. For years, there was always this nagging voice in the back of my head worrying constantly about what I did, instead of savoring the act. Nowadays I feel as if I have this liberated consciousness. The way I look at it is that most men, at least in my part of of the world, are on PrEP and most men that are HIV positive are undetectable and on medications themselves.
The other thing about being on PrEP that has been invaluable for me, is that I have to get my blood work done every three months. So, I am very well aware of my health because I visit my doctor with more frequency.
The reality of my sex life is like this: I am prepared when it comes to that spontaneous sexual encounter with a man. I always recommend discussing your sexual history, because even though a man says he is HIV negative and on PrEP himself, it's important to find out about other STI's. Sex is fun and with PrEP, can be less stressful -- even if there is no condom involved!
During my sessions with men, I am always very open about my experience with PrEP. There are plenty of men who are still very confused and fearful of the drug (side effects, effectiveness, stigma) and will not go on it, but they are still having unprotected sex. I tell them what my doctor said about PrEP in the gay community, because I find it is so important to educate men about how they can still have a wild and seductive sex life and protect their health at the same time!
Want to talk more about safer sex or PrEP?
Contact JoJo Bear at www.metamorphicembodiment.com
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