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Prevention
Prevention, testing and treatment is how we're going to build a generation free of HIV and stigma.
Prevention for HIV
Condoms, PrEP and PEP are preventive techniques that have proven extremely successful in preventing HIV.
PrEP
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP, is FDA-approved medication used to prevent the contraction of HIV. When taken adequately, PrEP has been proven up to 99% effective in preventing HIV during sexual intercourse.
PrEP only prevents HIV, not other STIs.
While more research is needed, PrEP appears to work for those taking gender-affirming hormones. This makes it one of the most important methods of prevention for LGBTQ+ people, especially Black and Latine gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men, women of trans-experience, and cisgender women, as these communities are still being diagnosed with HIV at higher rates.
PrEP also comes in the form of long-acting injectables. PrEP is safe and generally well-tolerated. Visit your local healthcare provider to see if PrEP is right for you.
PrEP FAQs
Studies have shown that PrEP effectively prevents HIV in many different groups of people, including those at risk from sexual activity or injection drug use.
PrEP is currently recommended for people who:
Have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months, and:
• have a sexual partner living with HIV (especially if it is not controlled or you do not know if it is), or
• do not consistently use condoms, or
• have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 6 months.
Inject drugs and:
• have an injection partner living with HIV, or
• share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment.
PrEP could also be considered after taking a regimen for post-exposure prophylaxis (a month-long treatment started after being exposed to HIV) encounter), as a part of pregnancy planning if your partner has HIV, and even just based on your own preferences in consultation with your healthcare provider.
PrEP is very effective at reducing HIV infection. In clinical trials, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk by 99% in those who take it for sexual exposure and by 74% in those who take it for risk due to injection drugs. It is important to note that taking it as prescribed is very important, as the effectiveness decreases significantly if not taken consistently. This is particularly true if you receive vaginal sex.
There are currently two different pills and two different injectable medications available for PrEP. Which option is right for you depends on your preferences as well as your specific risk.
The two pills approved for PrEP are Truvada® and Descovy®. They contain two medications that are effective in preventing HIV. This is not a full treatment regimen, as most people living with HIV will require three active medications.
Truvada® (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is for all people at risk for HIV through sex or injection drug use. Generic versions are also available.
Descovy® (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) is for sexually active men and transgender women at risk of getting HIV. Descovy® is not approved for women or transgender men who are at risk for HIV through receptive vaginal sex.
There may be alternative regimens of PrEP, such as “On-Demand PrEP.” Please discuss this with your healthcare provider if you think this might be right for you.
Two long-acting injectable forms of PrEP have also been approved by the FDA. These medications need to be given by your healthcare provider in the office.
Apretude® (cabotegravir) is for all people at risk for HIV through sex. It is administered every other month.
Yeztugo® (lenacapavir) is for all people at risk of HIV through sex. It is administered every six months with a starter dose of pills for the first two days of the regimen.
Yes, PrEP is safe. Long-term studies of PrEP users have shown that there are no major safety issues, even after 5 years. It is important that you follow up with your healthcare provider for monitoring. If you have any side effects that are serious or not getting better, be sure to contact your provider. It is also important that if you decide to stop taking PrEP for any reason that you talk with your provider, there may be considerations to discuss before going off it.
Some people taking PrEP may initially have side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain, but these are usually not intense and go away over time. People using injectable PrEP can have injection-site reactions that will also resolve over time.
Please note that PrEP is only effective in reducing HIV transmission and has no activity against any other STIs. PrEP is recommended as part of a strategy that still includes safe sexual practices like wearing condoms. You may want to talk with your doctor about other strategies to decrease your risk of getting any other STIs (such as DoxyPEP).
If you think PrEP may be right for you, the best first step would be to talk to your healthcare provider. PrEP is only available with a prescription, but any health care provider licensed to write prescriptions can prescribe PrEP (including pharmacists in some states). You do not need to see an HIV specialist or infectious disease physician to get on PrEP. With the increasing access to telehealth, you might even be able to get started on PrEP using a web-based portal or app.
A great first place to start is with the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory, where you can find providers who care about LGBTQ+ affirming care and who also are likely informed about PrEP.
Many insurances will pay for PrEP, as it is recognized by the United States Preventative Services Task Force as an effective and safe way to prevent HIV. But there are also patient assistance programs if you meet income requirements. Federally qualified health centers are also great resources, based on their ability to provide care on a sliding-scale fee service.
The most important thing you need to do before starting PrEP is to have a validated HIV test to ensure you are HIV-negative. There are other tests that you will need to complete at the beginning of your journey and you will also need to have repeat HIV testing while on PrEP based on the recommendations of your healthcare provider and type of PrEP you are taking.
The information in the FAQs is taken from the following:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Preventing HIV with PrEP. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/prep.html
HIV.gov. (2025, September 18). Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Retrieved from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2023). Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/prevention-of-human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-infection-pre-exposure-prophylaxis
MISTR. (2025, March 10). Can You Get on PrEP Without Visiting a Doctor In-Person? Retrieved from https://heymistr.com/2025/03/10/can-you-get-on-prep-without-visiting-a-doctor-in-person/
HIV.gov. (2024, March 24). Patient Assistance Programs and Co-payment Assistance Programs: Resources for Accessing PrEP. Retrieved from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis/accessing
PEP
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, PEP, is a prevention strategy that involves taking HIV medications within 72 hours—ideally within 36 hours—after potential exposure to HIV during condomless sex. It consists of two to three drugs that must be taken consistently and accurately as prescribed to maximize effectiveness of preventing HIV.
Any licensed healthcare provider can prescribe PEP. Some of the places you can seek PEP include doctors’ offices, emergency rooms, urgent care, or local HIV clinics, as well as community-based organizations.
Let's Talk Sex & HIV Prevention
Other Prevention Methods
Condoms, lube, regular HIV/STI testing, talking to sexual partners and getting rid of old syringes are useful tools for keeping you and your partner healthy. Addressing the topic of clean needles is essential in preventing HIV as well as connecting folx to care.
You can also locate a syringe exchange location in your area here.
Key Resources on Prevention
Prioritize Your Sexual Health
There are thousands of local organizations working to stop STIs and HIV in their tracks. Connect with them to find the services you need.