What Is PrEP? Think Birth Control, but for HIV Prevention
What Is PrEP? Think Birth Control, but for HIV Prevention
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that attacks the immune system, weakening the cells that help your body fight infection. This means things like the common cold can last longer and take a larger toll on the body as it struggles to fight off sicknesses. If HIV goes untreated it can become Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (learn more about that in our previous blog post).
Look, I know that sounds scary, but the great news is that while HIV and AIDS are not curable, they are 100% treatable. HIV is an infection, not a disease, and it is NOT a death sentence. In fact many people living with HIV live long, happy, and healthy lives.
The other great news is that there are many ways to effectively prevent the spread of HIV. I am here to reassure you that HIV prevention can be just as easy as taking a birth control pill and there is even a medicine available that is 99% effective at preventing HIV- that’s just as effective as your birth control pillWha! We hope once you have finished this article you will feel empowered about your sexual health and HIV prevention.
PrEP and the Birth Control Pill
Picture this. You’re having your morning coffee and your birth control alarm goes off. In one swift gulp, you take two tiny pills – one to prevent pregnancy and one to prevent HIV. It’s that easy!
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication that prevents HIV. It is taken BEFORE sex, drug use or any other HIV exposure.
There are three PrEP options for women. The first is Truvada, a daily oral pill. The other two PrEP options are the injectable methods Cabotegravire taken every other month or Lenacapavit twice a year, just like a Depo-Provera shot! If you are already taking control of your sexual and reproductive health through using birth control that gives you the power to decide if and when to become pregnant, why not do it with PrEP to prevent HIV?
Well, here’s one of the problems: stigma. While PrEP is as easy as taking a birth control pill, women* are often left out of the PrEP conversation. Many people and their healthcare providers still think of HIV as a disease that only affects gay or bisexual men. But the fact is, anyone who has sex could get HIV so conversations on PrEP should be for everyone!
While we don’t expect stigma to disappear overnight, conversations like this one are a step in the right direction! Normalizing PrEP for all sexually active women is the best foot forward in stopping the spread of HIV while putting the power in women’s hands to take control of and make decisions on their sexual health.
PEP and Emergency Contraception
Just like emergency contraception, there is also a medication you can take after HIV exposure. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is taken within 72 hours after HIV exposure and continued for a month after. PEP is for people who do not have HIV but have been exposed to it. While emergency contraception is available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, PEP requires a prescription. It is often available in emergency rooms and urgent care facilities if you are not able to get into your primary care provider.
Additional ways to prevent the spread of HIV
In addition to PrEP and PEP, There are several other ways to prevent the spread of HIV:
- Routine testing: One of the best ways to prevent the spread of HIV, or any other STI for that matter, is routine testing! It is recommended to get tested yearly if you are under 25, if you have a new sexual partner(s), if you frequently have sex without a condom, or if you have participated in recreational IV drug use. Due for your next test but aren’t sure where to go? Don’t worry, we got you covered!, Check out our provider finder to locate a health center near you!
- Condoms: Safe sex is the best kind of sex! Condoms are the ONLY birth control method that also protects against STIs and HIV. The great thing about condoms is that they pair well with almost every birth control method!
- Abstinence: The only 100% effective way to prevent HIV is to abstain from sex. Whether you choose to have sex or not is up to you! We want to make sure you have all the tools and knowledge on how to have safe sex if you are going to have it!
Finding care and coverage for HIV prevention
We are committed to helping connect you to high quality care and insurance coverage across Illinois. Use our provider finder to find a health center near you offering primary and preventive care services, so you can get PrEP, PEP, the birth control of your choice and more! Psst click the image below!
Worried about cost? Don’t worry, you may be eligible for a partial benefits program called the HFS Family Planning Program. It covers a wide range of primary and preventive care services including no-cost HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, the birth control methods of your choice, and more. Take our quiz here to learn about your eligibility!
Stigma might not disappear overnight, but your risk for HIV can! Schedule your next appointment to talk to your provider about PrEP today!
*We use the term women to describe people assigned female at birth. While ICAN! knows people of all gender identities use birth control and PrEP, current data only reflects females.
Skylar supports ICAN!’s digital marketing, development, and communications efforts, oversees ICAN!’s volunteer Community Action Team, and supports partnership development and community outreach work. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago.
The content in this blog has been reviewed by ICAN!’s Chief of Staff, Jordan Hatcher and ICAN!’s Quality & Implementation Advisor, Sameen Qadir who both hold degrees in public health.
