Speak Out: Have You Been Stigmatized For Using PrEP?
In much the same way that HIV at its height changed the way gay men date and have sex, the advent of PrEP has also started a change in the sex life and dating habits of today’s gay men. While bareback sex used to be frightening because of the specter of HIV, PrEP has allowed it to be on the menu again, so to speak. For HIV-positive men, PrEP has meant a new lease on their sex lives.
But PrEP has also been very divisive, especially between gay men who grew up in very different generations. While it’s been a boon to a lot of gay guys today, its effect can be frustrating to those who grew up with the horrors of the AIDS epidemic. Since the introduction of PrEP more than a decade ago, more and more gay men have been forgoing the condom, something that the generation that grew up with AIDS fought so hard for during their time.
It’s not surprising that these different attitudes towards PrEP has resulted in some friction. The phrase “Truvada whore” has been thrown around, meant to imply that those who use PrEP are irresponsible and slutty. It’s gotten to the point that a study in the 2017 issue of AIDS and Behavior revealed that “a belief that PrEP was for the promiscuous was strongly associated with lack of interest in using PrEP.”
While being discouraged off of medication that could prevent the spread of HIV is alarming enough, what’s even more distressing is that the study also revealed that the people most likely to declare that PrEP is for the promiscuous and therefore don’t take it are the ones taking sexual risks. This means the people who most need PrEP are the ones who aren’t taking it. It’s slut-shaming that can have very dire consequences.
It’s distressing to say the least, and we want to hear from you Adam4Adam readers. Have you ever been stigmatized for being on PrEP? How did you respond to it? What do you think can be done to remove this stigma? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, PREP DOES NOT prevent HIV 100%. All it takes is that unpredictable 1% chance. Also, it does not prevent The transmission of other STDs. Knowledge is power people, and I’m sorry but who wants collie flower growing on theIr dick…. not me.
There is no such thing as “Positive Undetectable”. For the same reason there is no Negative Undetectable. Today there are THREE HIV STATUS.
There is NEGATIVE meaning you are assuming that you don’t have HIV because you
haven’t been tested. Or you know because you have been tested within the past three
months. The only way anyone who is sexually active can know for sure if they are really
Negative is if they are getting tested every three months without skipping. Condoms are
only 78% effective to prevent HIV infection.
There is POSITIVE meaning you know you have it but you have chosen to not get
treatment and just let the disease spread within you until you have no choice. (very
stupid thing to do)
There is UNDETECTABLE meaning you used to be positive but now you take
Truvada that suppresses the virus in your bloodstream and you are testing medically
negative as long as you take the medicine. UNDETECTABLE = UNTRANSMITABLE;
YOU CANNOT GET INFECTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS UNDETECTABLE
We all need to be using condoms for all the other diseases and Truvada for HIV.
@homemadevanilla: Your post is partially accurate. Undetectable is still HIV-positive. Once you have HIV, you will always have it — even if your viral load is suppressed to undetectable levels (and yes, Undetectable = Untransmissible). You have to continue to take your meds as prescribed to remain undetectable.
There is no such thing as “used to be HIV-positive.” We hope someday there will be a cure, but we’re not there yet.
It’s also inaccurate to refer to Truvada as the medication used to achieve an undetectable viral load. There are many potential combinations of medications to treat HIV — your doctor will work with you to find the right one. Truvada is never used alone to treat HIV — only in combination with at least one other medication. Truvada IS used alone as PrEP– which is only to be taken by HIV-negative individuals, to prevent infection.
Exactly right Truvada is used as PreP in a person who is Neg and tested at 3 month intervals. I am Neg- and do the full panel of tests at the intervals . Now I heard that taking Truvada. Had decreased the transmission of other STD’s at testing places across the US
Neither do condoms.
Whoops cauliflower
I see a lot of profiles saying people are on prep. These are the same people who I see in town who work at bars or McDonald’s. How are they even affording it?
Um… you don’t have to have trump income to afford prep… way to further the divide.
It’s a preventative. So mostly all insurances pay for it even Medicaid. And if you have copays there are assistance programs through Gilead that cover it for everyone. Even if you are uninsured you can get It for free through gilead. So it should not about how can they afford it because honestly money isn’t an excuse to not be on it anymore.
That’s what I wanna know. My drug plan from work has PReP cost estimated at $1500/month. Where are these kids getting that kinda money?!?
The patient assistance program from Gilead would likely lower your cost greatly. It’s designed to assist those who have to pay large monthly copays for the drug.
There are programs that provide the medication for free. Many prescription plans provide coverage. It helps to have a good doctor and pharmacist too.
Retail pricing on drugs for those with HIV runs about $17,000 a year. I believe that as a pre-exposure prophylactic the dosage is reduced somewhat. They afford it because either they spend every dime they get for it (and working at McDonalds or the bar probably doesn’t leave much money left over for PrEP) or, they get it because it is being subsidized by the HIV prevention programs or which has the effect of reducing funding for other disease control operations, or, the pharmaceutical companies are giving them discounts due to their income level. There may even be government subsidies for it, I’m not sure. So, to answer your question more sharply from a financial standpoint, it would seem logical to assume that many are getting it because somebody else is paying for it through higher retail prices for those who don’t work at Micky D’s or the bar. Personally, I don’t mind if somebody wants to spend their own money for PrEP. It bothers me greatly that, as a middle income American, I’d have to pony up full price for HIV drugs or PrEP if I needed them. That price would be lower for me if subsidies didn’t exist for weak minded dolts who are too selfish or too stupid to use a condom. But, hey, since when do most gay guys care about anybody else but themselves when their dick gets hard?
My Anthem insurance pays 100% of my Truvada and labs testing. I don’t know anyone who spends a penny for their Truvada. All covered by their varied insurance. Get the facts! Michael
BecIse of you’d done even an ounce of research you’d know there is thing called the ACA and it’s covered by most plans out there. For those that are particularly unable there are some generous programs in place. This helps those that are most at risk have access.
The stigma should *not* be removed. Although Truvada provides an insurance policy against HIV infection, it does *nothing* to prevent syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and other STDs. In fact, due to widespread Truvada-fueled promiscuity, with the “oh, I can take a pill for that” mentality, there are now antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacterial infections. Condoms are still not “optional.” Unless, of course, you’re just another Truvada Whore with a death wish and no regard for the lives of others.
Do you know what can prevent all those listed infections? Knowledge and testing and access to care.
All of which people using prep are receiving. I’m sure you know that people on prep are tested 4x a year for all those infections right? That like 4x more than most are and we are tested in all the right places. We don’t get a simple blood test and walk around telling people ‘I’m clean bro’.
When something comes back positive they are treated. Removing silent infections from the community is what helps. Those infections s don’t appear magically because there was no latex presence.
Those infections occur because of fear and shaming around testing and treatment.
That’s stupid for anyone to judge an be called a “Truvada whore” i’m a condom whore..lol a bit of a nut freak and dont believe in putting chemicals into ur body i wont even take an aspirin.
On a personal note, I have a partner and he decided to be on Prep, a mutual decision, because I’m Positive undetectable and we want to explore more options in our sex life like not using a condom. We are both responsible adults who are very much in love with each other. He is by far a Truvada whore. He did it for me, to allow me to have some “normalcy” in our sex lives. To experience and enjoy natural condomless love-making. We are exclusive to one another and we both grew up in the scary age AF HIV back in the early 70’s and 80’s. So all those other ideologies that are negative, are just that.
There is no reason for u to b on PrEP if he is undetectable..
Scott you are incorrect. Viral loads can change quickly between tests. Being on PrEP is very wise move and is recommended for serodiscordant couples.
Who is recommending it? There’s never been a single documented transmission from an undetectable. This fact includes “blips”. You are indisputably more likely to die in a car accident picking up your truvada prescription then get hiv from an undetectable partner. Does whoever “recommends” this have stock in Gilead? Because they appear to be selling a drug at the expense of people living with HIV.
The only thing i can say is that i always use my condom because a lot of gay guys worry about hiv but we all need to know that performing bareback sex using Prep only prevents you from the Hiv but not from all the STDs and that is a subject that must be talked about.we tend to care so much about Hiv that nowadays does have treatment but what about sifilis,papiloma that can even provoke cancer,hepatitis c which has no great treatment until now,gonorrhea,and so much more Stds.The pre exposure prophilaxy PREP only prevents us from Hiv.so gays,open your eyes.use your condoms.
The main argument against viewing Truvada as a means of engaging in bareback sex is it lulls men into a false sense of protection. There are still STDs such as chlamydia gonorrhea syphilis and herpes that do not respond to Truvada dosage. The surest way to avoid ALL STDS would be to continue to use condoms properly and regularly. Moreover putting on a condom does not pose a risk to a person’s internal organs or body function. TRUVADA is a toxic antiviral medication..it’s not meant to be mindlessly popped like one would a multivitamin
fags always have an probably always will “Stigmatize” one another lol it’s usually the guys who are not getting laid or feel left out I have to pick on each other I’ve seen it many times I have friends who do it they complain they can’t get laid but then they also comment that everybody around him as a slut over the past 20 years I’ve noticed a few tendencies that seem to be common occurrences time after time generation after generation we tend to put each other down one-way or another he’s positive he’s fat he’s old he’s poor he’s this he’s that lol sad but true lol fags tend to be petty vain bigger than life egos lol i personally hate to admit im gay because i dont want to be lumped up with the typical/standard homo lol makes mean guy look like a charity ball lol
Good on you if you have the literal balls to protect yourself.
I’m 38 and I had given up on the idea of condomless sex. All my life I always heard you’ll get AIDS if u raw dog it.. I’m going on my 11th month on PrEP and just last week I had my 1st raw sex action in my entire life.. Granted we have been fuck buddies for over 7 yrs. I know him, trust him and he’s also on PrEP. Used responsibly, it can greatly increase the pleasure between you and your buddy. I will always advocate for anything that can protect you. I have yet to meet anyone that shames anyone for using it… Anyone that shames someone for using PrEP, more than likely needs to be educated. And you should do yourself the favor and walk away. Ignorance is what gets you in trouble.
It’s funny how so many men sleep around without condoms and Prep, and yet they’re the ones slut shaming? Slut shaming should be the thing of the past. We’re no longer in the 1950’s and I think it’s time.
Honestly, no. I’ve just found sexual partners who are more willing to do what we both want… fuck bare.
PrEP has allowed me to enjoy bareback sex without fear. Nearly all the guys I sleep with share that feeling. It truly is our sexual revolution
This is news to me.
While Truvada-shaming is a very real thing, this article would have us believe it’s a generational issue with the generation that lived through the horrors at the apex of the AIDS crisis leaning against its use because it can encourage bareback sex. I contend that it’s more of an issue between those with ‘traditional’ views towards sex and those with a more laissez-faire views, regardless of generation. The use of Truvada as an HIV prophylactic (PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) can be compared to when the Pill was first introduced to prevent pregnancy. There was a large backlash and stigmatization of those who took it as being promiscuous, just like we are seeing with Truvada. Our culture tends to glamorize and vilify sex in the same breath and anything that could be seen as encouraging MORE sex, especially condom-less sex, is put into a negative light. This can also be seen by the fact that the FDA approved the use of Truvada as PrEP in 2012 but it was kept pretty quiet until 2014, two years later. As part of the medical community I was aware of PrEP as well as the undercurrent to keep it quiet as it was seen as sending the message that condoms were no longer needed.
So to answer the question posed by this article, anecdotally it seems clear that it’s our CULTURAL SHAME around sex that is at the root of the stigma we are seeing around the use of Truvada as PrEP. Normally the ‘big gun’ used to reduce stigma is normalization of the behavior through education and this time will be no different. Fortunately we are aided by the fact that all recent data on the efficacy of PrEP shows it to be even more effective than condoms by those who use it as directed. Now what we need to do is get the word out that those using PrEP are actually taking as effective steps to prevent HIV infection as those using condoms and voila! The promiscuous sluts turn into front-line fighters to end the AIDS epidemic once and for all, a goal I think we can all agree on.
People on PrEP and their supporters deserve to be stigmatized.
Those on the pi are not using them in addition to condoms, rather instead of condoms and therein lies the problem. These people go about their lives pretending that HIV is the only STD for concern. Nevermind HPV, warts, gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis, against which PrEP does absolutely nothing.
In the process, they expose themselves and their partners to multitude of STDs owing to their false sense of security while evading just one and we’re supposed to applaud them for their efforts? Get real.
So you know that EVERY Truvada user is not using condoms as well. Did you personally verify this by visiting each one to watch them engage in sex? Doubt it so stop acting like you speak for everyone and know that all Truvada users are barebacking, because you do not!
This is the first time I’ve ever heard the term “Truvada whore,” and it is disappointing that there are grown men immature enough to “slut shame” at all, particularly with regard to PrEP. That said, I’ve spent the past 20 years or so being called a “Condom Nazi” so it isn’t all that surprising. It is also very disappointing that you have joined the ranks of those who tout PrEP is an alternative to safer sex rather than an additional tool to be used with condoms, as any health care professional will tell you, and as it has been clinically tested and approved.
meds will stopping working one day without people realizing it. then what?
Having seen so many die, how is this so bad that the user is a slut? Goodness. Between it and safe sex, the options for encounters and fun expand exponentially. Only a bigot or stupid person would shame someone taking it. Get a life.
As someone who has had significant education in drugs, pharmaceuticals and therapeutic treatment, I have no problem with those who decide to take PREP to protect themselves from HIV. However, having said that, I am very concerned for those who take PREP and who continue to bareback. First, we do not have long term studies to show what PREP does to one’s body in the long run. These are potent pharmaceuticals with potential side effects that only long term study will reveal. We do not know the result of the long-term taking of these drugs on our bodies and organs. More importantly, having had a MRSA infection which resulted in my hospitalization for a month earlier this year, I am very concerned that long term usage of these drugs may result in resistant strains of HIV for which we will not have a treatment. Additionally, in this age of resistant syphilis and gonorrhea, the risks being taken by those who engage in bareback sex brings to mind the possibility that a new STD epidemic is in our future. Please use condoms, even if you’re on PREP!
Taking pills such prep or not, practice safe sex with condom should be applied. Many std could be transferred through bb sex. But for couple that could be a choice to use condom or not. I feel safer with people taking prep than people who like bb and not knowing they are infected. Hiv could be hidden for many years before display any sumptoms. So for those who against it. Wake up. Still use safe sex practices
Honestly I don’t find this so called stigma disturbing. To me it’s no different that the notion that birth control pills turn virgin teen girls into sluts. People who believe that are retarded. Are there genuine Truvada whores out there that think because they remember to take the pill at least 4 times a week that they can take raw loads from any guy in a dark alley or club bathroom till their spincters fall out? Of course. But just like hollywood boulevard antics dont describe all women, these whores dont describe all gay guys. What I actually find disturbing is the seemingly increasing number of people who want to be “pozzed” – as if contracting HIV is some sort of glamorous status symbol; and the utter fuck wads who stealth – whether they have STDS or not.
” PrEP has allowed it to be on the menu again” Well that says it all, right? BB is all ok again now kids. Never mind that PrEP is not 100% effective (meaning that yes, you fuck around enough you can still get HIV) – there are a whole host of other STDs out there, all increasingly common. Coincidence that that rise comes on the back of increased use of PrEP? Hmmm.
Yes, what can be done to reduce the stigma of PrEP? Gilead shareholders see more $$$ being left on the table.
I’ve received no negative feedback for revealing that I am on PrEP.
Why do we need to remove the stigma? HIV is still a real disease with real health consequences. Using PrEP does not eliminate all HIV risk, there is still a 1% (top only) to 4% (bottom only) annual transmission rate not to mention the other STI risks. The gay community could help to stop HIV transmissions by encouraging discussions about prevention including condom usage, lower risk activities such as frottage and masturbation, and testing frequently. I for one, am tired of reading ads of marathons for taking as many loads as possible, no condoms allowed, no load refused etc. then tout HIV neg on PrEP. At a risk factor of 4%, even when on PrEP, how long is he going to stay negative??
That mythical 1% / 4% thing is caused by 4 men. Over the course of 20 years 4 different men who were sex addicts skipped taking their daily dose of Truvada because they were engaged in being cumdumps for upwards of 20 or more men. Each one was exposed because the medicine wore off while they were taking multiple loads. The conservative heterosexual medical science community does not take any of that into account and uses the infections of these men as “proof” that there is a 4% chance. They also do not take into account the nearly 100 thousand men who have been taking Truvada for years who have not been infected or re-infected. The entire rest of the world is spreading the message UNDETECTABLE = UNINFECTIOUS and america is ignoring it.
If you take PrEP daily your risk is reduced by 99% at least. (That does NOT mean 1% of PrEP users will get HIV, by far, because even without protection the risk is nowhere near 100%). Out of all the hundreds of thousands of people taking PrEP, only three have ever gotten HIV while taking the meds correctly. That’s way more effective than condoms.
Of course it’s a good idea to use condoms as well as PrEP to protect against other STDs, but stop trying to scare people into thinking they’re going to get HIV on PrEP, when you’re more likely to get struck by lightning.
I have been taking Truvada for over a year now. A few months after first starting it, I had an accident at work (my dumb ass ran face first into the support beam of an automotive lift that I was working under) and had to go to the ER for treatment of a minor concussion (dizziness, dry heaving, bleeding from my nose). My manager who took me there left me in the care of a friend who had come to sit with me. We were in the back, having already been checked in, and were sitting in a room which was separated from the nurses station by a mere curtain. My nurse came in and right away I could tell that he was a homosexual like me. Our conversation went like this:
Nurse: “What brings you in today?”
Me: “I had an accident at work. I ran face first into a pole.”
Friend: *snickers*
Nurse: “Ok…. Any medications that you are currently taking?”
Me: “Other than allergy pills, the only thing I take daily is Truvada.”
Nurse: “….Mmmmmm. Ok.”
The nurse then took a few vitals and exited the room. Shortly after, the ER doctor came in.
Doctor: “What brings you in today?”
Me: “As I explained to the nurse, I ran into a steel beam at work pretty hard. Head first. I had some bleeding out the nose, and got lethargic.”
Doctor: “Ok. Any medications you are currently taking?”
Me: “Just Truvada.”
The doctor then became wide-eyed and took a step back from me.
Doctor: “Truvada!? Are you HIV-positive!?”
Me: “No.”
Doctor: “I’m confused, Truvada is for those infected with HIV.”
Me: “Um, actually that’s not correct. Truvada is used to help prevent the spread of HIV. I take it so that I can lower my chances of contracting HIV.”
Doctor: “I’ve never heard of that before.”
Me: “Really? You don’t know what PrEP is? You guys do carry PEP here right? Since this is a hospital and all.”
Doctor: “I know what PEP is. It’s for people with HIV.
I proceed to try to explain to him what both PrEP and PEP were and what they were used for, but he didn’t seem to understand. He then took a few more vitals, and closed the curtain to my room. Me and my friend chatted a bit, and then both sat there in silence on our phones for a bit. That was when we overheard the doctor and the nurse talking at the station on the other side of the curtain.
Doctor: “So he came in here for a head injury at work?”
Nurse: “Yeah.”
Doctor: “He said he’s taking PrEP. What does that mean?”
Nurse: “It means he’s a fucking slut.”
I turned to my friend in astonishment, not wanting to believe what I had just heard, but her mouth was wide open in disbelief as well.
Me: “Did he just-”
Friend: “Yeah.”
Me: “About-”
Friend: “Yeah.”
I sat there for a moment contemplating what to do, and finally I called for the doctor to come back in.
Doctor: “Yes, can I help you?”
Me: “Yeah, how long have you been practicing medicine?”
Doctor: *noticeably sweating* “Um, a few years now.”
Me: “Really? A few years?”
Doctor: “Yes, why do you ask?”
Me: “I was just wondering, at what point did you learn that it was inappropriate to refer to your patients as ‘sluts’?”
Doctor: “I don’t know what you are referring to!”
Friend: “No. We both heard it.”
Doctor: “Well… it wasn’t me.”
Me: “Well, I suggest that you get whoever it was, and your direct supervisor, and have them come in here for a little chat.”
The doctor quickly left, and within 30 mins, the nurse and the department manager were both in my room. The nurse tried to justify himself, saying that his friends referred to those that take Truvada as such, and he didn’t mean anything personally by it, but I could tell he was just trying to get his way out of a bad situation. He and his manager expressed great apologies to me, and I let it drop at that, knowing that he probably had cost him his job. I hope that the stigma inside and outside of the community can be extinguished someday. Trying to live a healthy life shouldn’t be looked down upon, especially by those in the health field.
This story is incredible! What state and city are you in?
Good for you sir for firmly addressing the insult as well as slander to you. You were extremely kind in not choosing to take it further. The doctor, however, should also be severely disciplined, but bad doctors always get a pass and typically responsible (but not in this case) nurses take the fall
I would contact an attorney, and sue the hospital and ER physician for defamation of character, and having to educate ER physician about Prep and Pep. No patient should ever be treated so disrespectfully.
I’d recommend writing an ” Incident Report” with your friend, outlining your ER visit from admission to discharge, then consult an attorney,
to take legal action against the hospital and ER Doctor.
Good Luck to you.
Slut-shaming hahahaha, everyone is a slut! It’s just some have the inner struggle and take their frustrations out on other people. The LGBTQ community fought and fought hard against hate just so we could hate ourselves and others in the community. Honestly wouldn’t the world be better with less negativity, these are other fragile human beings that you are judging, that can break. Point is you don’t want to be treated like shit so why do it to others? Also whatever happened to “he who has not sinned may cast the first stone…?” REALLY! People you need to deal with your life before you can look down on or judge others. Additionally, being on PreP is safe, get educated on it before throwing shame on others, you weren’t happy with AIDS, and now you’re not happy with medication that can block it, so what exactly makes you happy? Are you just all unhappy?
The issue isn’t prep. The issue is the standard of risky sexy within the gay community period.
Prep is being used in place of common sense within a highly sexually active community.
I’m against BB porn for this reason.
It sets a poor example for healthy sex behaviors in our community.
Young gays watch porn as a way to learn; so we have to be more responsible.
Prep is revolutionary to our community and could be a really useful tool if used with respect.
Right now it’s being used primarily by men who don’t practice self control or healthy boundaries in sex.
Be smart. Play safe. It’s your life, your choice. But it only takes one mistake.
Be smart.
I’ve actually had more guys tell me I should go off Prep and let nature takes it’s course.
…So, is there a cure/pill that one can take to prevent the psychological damage/side-affects of sleeping around/being a slut/serial-slut?
At a certain age of psychological-maturity, I would think one would seek what ‘true-love’ has to offer, that you would meet someone, whom has everything one could ever desire in/out of bed, ‘if’ you have enough depth-of-character to recognize such. People fall in/out of love, but just try it is what I would stress, in addition to both condoms and the prep, to avoid all the std’s including, HIV-Aids.
There’s some truly, sick people in the world; gay culture who have such a callous attitudes about sexing with others they encounter-seek, they use each other like tissue paper=discarded.
Younger guys “experimenting/sowing wild oats” is one thing, older guys doing the same shit for many decades, that’s a problem for themselves and many that they encounter. It’s not about “sin” its about growing-up, that’s the other “component” of avoiding std’s and Aids. LOVE IS THE BEST CURE, it’s not about just sex, that’s not love, at everyone’s core, love is what you’re hungering for, sex, is the addiction. Popping pills is not the answer to everything, its become a way to avoid that which you may or may not know is true.
I have three concerns with PREP. First, people will start to pressure each other to use it IN LIEU of condoms, rather than IN CONJUNCTION with them. Especially in urban centers such as San Francisco, New York, and LA, people are very sensitive to try not to stigmatize those who are HIV-positive — and rightly so. But the flip side of that sensitivity is that those who insist on the use of condoms in certain sexual acts are viewed as “neurotic” about HIV and contributing to stigma against those who are POZ.
Second, Truvada is a very powerful drug, with effects on the kidneys and liver. Reports also indicate that it may contribute to lipoatrophy (the facial wasting and sunken cheeks we associate with people living with HIV). The drug is not effective in preventing a whole host of other STIs, including herpes (non-curable), hepatitis (liver damage), syphilis, gonorrhea, HPV, etc. There is a very simple one-time biomedical intervention that does not damage the kidneys or the liver or any other systems. It is male circumcision. It’s been proven not only to reduce heterosexual transmission of HIV, but also some other STIs. It’s also probably effective at reducing HIV transmission for the male insertive partner in anal sex (but does not protect the receptive partner). Why aren’t we hearing routine male circumcision promoted as much as PREP? Any man considering PREP with its systemic effects would do well to be circumcised first, and then consider PREP second.
Third, an argument can be made, certainly in urban areas, that PEP — Post Exposure Prophylaxis — can not only save money, but also reduce the amount of time that people are having to take the drug.
This response tries to sound smart and informed, yet it is not.
Effectiveness of PEP is not well studied (follow ups are rare and known exposure to HIV in PEP cases usually is not well known) whereas with PrEP there have been many studies proving effectiveness.
Truvada is a powerful and remarkably safe drug as shown by 12+ years of use now. Side effects are rare and any kidney issues are reversible by stopping the drug (which is why there is routine monitoring) – Neither component in Truvada is hepatic so liver damage from Truvada is not a concern.
Truvada is not a 1st gen NNRTI – the lipodystrophy cautions are based on the 1st gen of NNRTIs and have been removed in Truvada labeling in most other countries because there is no evidence of it. Gilead has applied for the removal of that warning in the U.S. as well.
Regarding other STIs, get checked, get treated and be informed. Again those STIs don’t appear magically in the absence of latex. They happen because of fear and shaming and limited access to care. PrEP and the care regiment around it lead to an overall healthier and safer life.
People are going to have to get over the fact that people are opinionated and will draw conclusions … especially if they have every reason to. Seriously, though … what other scenarios are there for needing PrEP other than your partner is HIV Positive?
If your answer is “because I don’t know if my partner(s) has HIV, I don’t care to find out, and I don’t want to use a condom,” then you aren’t doing yourself any favors. Pill or not, you are still putting yourself in danger by barebacking with strangers … and that is your choice … but you can’t stop people for calling you reckless (in the same sense that you can’t stop people from calling you reckless for not wearing a seatbelt).
I am old enough to remember the days before using condoms for sex, and I find condoms to be much cleaner and safer. After many years of being sexually active, I remain HIV negative, thanks to strict condom use. I am not interested in PrEP at all–why take preventive medication all the time when condoms can be used at the exact moment of need?
Speak out! Have you had a stranger lie about being on prep, only to find out you got an STD or STI or HIV after having unprotected sex?
Having sex without a condom IS unprotected sex,
there is no legitimate argument around that, so as the prep political gestapo likes to say,
get educated!
There is no such thing as “Positive Undetectable”. For the same reason there is no Negative Undetectable. Today there are THREE HIV STATUS.
There is NEGATIVE meaning you are assuming that you don’t have HIV because you
haven’t been tested. Or you know because you have been tested within the past three
months. The only way anyone who is sexually active can know for sure if they are really
Negative is if they are getting tested every three months without skipping. Condoms are
only 78% effective to prevent HIV infection.
There is POSITIVE meaning you know you have it but you have chosen to not get
treatment and just let the disease spread within you until you have no choice. (very
stupid thing to do)
There is UNDETECTABLE meaning you used to be positive but now you take
Truvada that suppresses the virus in your bloodstream and you are testing medically
negative as long as you take the medicine. UNDETECTABLE = UNTRANSMITABLE;
YOU CANNOT GET INFECTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS UNDETECTABLE
We all need to be using condoms for all the other diseases and Truvada for HIV.
Condoms are only 78% effective for preventing HIV infection. There is always a 22% chance you are going to get it. And every day some of us do get infected while using condoms alone. That’s why HIV keeps spreading. Because a condom alone has never been really been safe.
I’ve been on PrEP for a long time. I told ppl that I was about to hook up with and BAMN!!! Blocked or asked to leave. They were def misinformed. One guy said I should change my profile to read poz if I was infected. Can you imagine that arguement. Another guy said,”oh you’re on PrEP, you must do a lot of B.B. Sex and sleep around a a lot.
I’ve had LOTS of sex and a lot of it was BB (prob most). Most of the by sex is with guys whose profiles say safe. Fucked one dude, made me wear a condom and as I was getting close (him too) he leaned forward turned towards me and pulled off the condom and got back on his knees and said,”I want this line you do!” Filled his ass!!! But ppl freak out for the wrong reasons and are so not intouch. I won’t list it on my profile.
I’ve had the same reaction to telling ppl I am tested NEG for hiv/stds. “Oh you get tested? What for? You must sleep around.”
I’ve never had ANY std what so ever. Not even crabs.
The mere fact that you complain about stigma while building yourself up based on the absence of STIs is like a metaphor for everything f wrong with the HIV/PrEP conversation we’ve been having for the last seven years. It’s wrong to shame
people for their sexual behavior. It’s much worse to suggest you are a better person for engaging in that same behavior and having the good fortune not to produce antibodies.
Reading the responses on here is very disheartening. The way we attack our own community and dehumanize “those” people when we do not know their circumstances, their preferences, their sex practices or their individual life situations. It also shows the relative ignorance that many have towards what PrEP is and what it is not. Like what is happening with many national debates, there are distortions of the facts and research, or even opinion that takes the place of facts and research. Daniel Patrick Moynihan said it best, “You are entitled to your own opinion, but now your own facts.”
Perhaps we should all do a better job of teaching everyone that sex is natural, can be fun and should be nothing you feel ashamed about. We should teach, not preach, that everyone, regardless of condom use, PrEP, ART, or any other safer sex (yes I said safer since NOTHING is 100 percent effective) understands the risks of STIs and also feels comfortable get tested. The comments on here continue to stigmatize STIs themselves and those that are infected by them. This has to stop. this continued shaming and viewpoint that sex is dirty is what keeps individuals from getting tested regularly for all STIs including HIV. It is what keeps people who may be showing even mild symptoms from feeling comfortable seeking diagnosis and treatment, and it is what keeps those not showing any symptoms oblivious to the fact that they may still be infected and spread their infection to others.
This all needs to stop. We need to take our puritan backgrounds and throw them in the trash. This is the 21st Century, not the 1620s. It is time we all come together to make everyone feel welcome in this community and encourage everyone to become more sexually healthy and aware, regardless of what path towards sexual health that may be. This includes constantly knowing our status through regular testing, communicating with our partner(s), taking precautions, getting educated, and if infected, getting treated.
This judgement and shaming is what keeps our community members out of the clinics, out of the testing centers and out of the places that we can continue to educate our community about sex, its risks, the choices you can make to protect yourself and others, and how to live a healthy and sexually fulfilling life. Try this approach… stop judging, get educated, and help educate others. Volunteer with your local health department, pass out condoms at bars, learn more about PrEP, get those you know participate in riskier sex in touch with a medical professional that can help them make good decisions about how to best protect themselves and others. Stop judging… start caring.
I am one of those generational men who lived through and grieved the death of a partner and countless friends because of HIV/AIDS. I too was opposed to PrEP as it simply didn’t make any sense to take a HIV med which can come with a bushel full of sides effects when a condom was virtually as effective and costs pennies. And let’s not go off on the monthly and annual costs of PrEP, the escalating costs for all health insurance, etc. But I changed my opinion and attitude the more I learned about it. The purpose of safe sex practices is to prevent the spread of HIV. PrEP is another tool in the arsenal of preventing HIV infection. Until there is a cure and a vaccine, sexually active men need and require every available tool at their disposal. PrEP will and does prevent thousands of HIV infections annually throughout the world. PrEP offers no protection for other STI save one: HIV. I agree that PrEP has resulted in a marked increase in other STI’s and there is simply no getting around that. It should be taken daily not just as a morning before or after med. Our community and shared humanity and sexual expression is under assault again in the United States. Let’s not become our own worst enemy by calling each other names.
What I learned from this article is I don’t want hiv but I’ll risk it and I will also risk maybe contracting an std or two. We got where we are by being nasty pigs. Why stop now
Taking ANY drug carries risks. All drugs have side effects, many unknown. Any public health policy that encourages an entire population of healthy people to take a drug is unbelievable. It just shows how much clout the pharmaceutical industry carries in the U.S. Next, the medical establishment will be widely prescribing Lipitor to avoid high cholesterol rather than encouraging healthy diets and exercise.
There has been a carefully orchestrated campaign for PrEP acceptance. This article is undoubtedly part of it. The next phase is to stigmatize those who choose not to take PrEP, using language that they are the ones taking risks and not taking control of their health.
Barebacking is becoming the norm. I’ve chatted with more than one person who is not interested in meeting if I won’t bareback. At the local HIV testing center, they don’t even distribute condoms anymore, only reinforcing that choice. That center is becoming a PrEP dispensary instead.
As others have noted, barebacking carries risks beyond HIV. Syphilis is on the rise. There are drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea. I’ve heard about people on PrEP contracting Hepatitis C. All of this puts the community at risk of a new epidemic.
There was a reason to avoid getting HIV: so that we didn’t need to take HIV drugs our entire life. PrEP is an HIV drug. So the new message is that the entire population should take HIV drugs. With an entire population on a drug, don’t we run a risk of drug-resistance, virus mutation?
This policy ranks short-term pleasure and drug-company profits above all else.
I find it sad that the gay community places a stigma with in the community. There’s enough stigma against gays outside of the community.
Would someone call a female on birth control pill a pill whore or maybe even a diaphram whore?
I got on Prep so I could comfortably date a poz man. After all condoms break. I still use condoms as barebacking is not for me. Aside from STD’s how about ringworm or jock itch?
Point of the matter- if I wouldnt sit on a public toilet, why would I want to sit on a mans cock bare?
To each is his own.
Well said.
im going to try be calm and collected when posting my comment, cuz i know how mods are sensitive. Anyways..all people, not just the gay community, need to reeducate themselves and spend more time QUESTIONING THEIR DOCTORS. The entire pharma industry is a SCAM, nothing but a money mill, so dont be so easily FOOLED as the general public is now. The HIV stigma has done nothing but ruin the gay community, its extremely sad, but you have to think to yourselves, why would they lie about HIV?? In the 70s, civil rights was more or less in effect, minorities and hippies were out their protesting war and doing lots of great drugs, well the govt doesnt like that, the govt has always been about SEPARATING THE MASSES, thus the marketing and creation of HIV/AIDS came about, the people at the top decided they are going to make this horrible deadly disease up, where all theyd have to do is test the already sick,drugged up,and immune suppressed gay community, in the big cities mostly, give them a test that is EXTREMELY FLAWED, where they see no ACTUAL PROOF OF A VIRUS, give them this horrible label for life of HIV POSITIVE, and then lets give them very powerful drugs that literally kill them from the inside out. Like cancer, the pharma industry makes entirely too much money keeping this HIV scam going, they will never tell you it doesnt actually exist, theres plenty of proof out there, just use your common sense, and do some research. Also, sites like this profit from the hiv agenda, especially the porn industry, think about it, if they told you hiv doesnt exist, what would that do?? the system would collapse, theres no way they’ll do it, so please do me a favor and look into this, its very simple. And God loves you all!!
How does shit like this get past the mods?
thank you for shining a bright light on this subject…cant wait until the next topic…what next?
discrimination, shaming, stigmatization, microagressions on and on
such a struggle, a life if being victimized …boo hoo
WTF
live your lives, turn off the sensitivity and thicken your skin and youll be amazed how freeing it is to be who you are and NOT GIVE A FUCK about what others think
The issues with Truvada that the Doctors and case workers aren’t telling those who start Truvada, is that it causes Kidney damage and osteoporosis from long term use. My HIV Dr won’t even prescribe Prep to his best friends. I was on it for 6 years, and yes, it has saved my life so that I can continue to live on with HIV. I am now a 27+ year survivor here!! BUT, I have Kidney failure and osteoporosis from Truvada. So, if you are in your 20’s-40’s and taking Prep, chances are ten years later you may be dealing with kidney failure and osteoporosis. Better to not take it, since the chances of contracting HIV is much lower now due to guys that are poz are undetectable and stay with the rubbers. Because once you become poz, Truvada may not work for you, and the Dr’s aren’t telling this side of the story. Instead of having a generation or two of poz guys, there will be a generation or two with kidney failure and osteoporosis, and other issues. I don’t think the CDC cares of the damage it causes, as long as it wipes HIV out.
There was this guy I met on an app. My profile clearly states that I’m on PREP, while his did not. He initiated contact chatting, then the nude pic exchange. We chatted some more and he decided that he and I were sexually compatible, to which I agreed. Then he brought up the PREP issue and I said that I prefer to fuck bare, but I usually go for the preference of the other guy.
Then he went silent.
I told him that he and I seem to be at a moral impasse, and he agreed. Then he started sending me more nude pics of himself, asking if he looked good in them.
If he didn’t want to have sex with someone who was on PREP, then why would he bother initiating contact, chatting, then the nude pic exchange?
It seems to me that he simply wanted to make me pine for him and make me feel guilty for being on PREP and not being able to hook up with him.
I don’t hold anything against people who prefer to use condoms as their go-to method for safer sex. I certainly don’t hold anything against people who prefer PREP as their own method. Interestingly enough, condom zealots don’t seem to reciprocate that respect. It’s as if their cognitive dissonance is preventing them from accepting PREP as a reliable method of safer sex. They can’t adapt with changing times and they see medical advancements as a threat to the moral high ground they have claimed for themselves. They’re right alongside the Westboro Baptist Church in their condom zealotry.
They oppress themselves through their preference of safer sex methods, and now they resort to shaming tactics in an attempt to impose the same oppression onto others.
One day, hopefully soon, we will have a vaccine or a cure for HIV. How will the anti-PrEP crowd react then? Because that will have exactly the same effect as PrEP: removing the fear of HIV from sex, without affecting other STD risks. Will you oppose this medical advance and shame those who seek it out?
Ultimately what the PrEP-haters are arguing is this: even though we have the technology to almost completely remove the threat of an incurable, deadly disease, they would prefer to maintain that threat — in order to scare people and control their sexuality. All in the name of preventing other, mostly curable and far less serious infections.
Yes, STDs are a concern and we need to address them head-on, including by continuing to educate people about condom use. But if you believe people need to be threatened with HIV so they don’t get the clap, you have your moral priorities truly out of whack.
Honestly, any time I’ve told a straight friend or family member about PrEP they’ve been thrilled and relieved that I’m better protected than ever against the horrible scourge of HIV. It only seems to be other gay men who are determined to shame each other over this. Just shows what a toxic effect a lifetime of homophobia and fear-based “sex education” have had on our hearts and minds. It’s really very sad, and I hope we can heal ourselves of it.
I don’t wanna make this a pity party for the afflicted, but I’m stigmatized on the daily for openly admitting [wether here on a4a or other sites] that I am HIV undetectable; and yet I see people who once upon a time I never had a cold chance in hell of meeting with, hell even communicating with when I first entered the foray that is the gay male “romance”(hook-up) site, that I’ve had sex with (unprotected, AFTER verbal disclosure of my status, might I add) that still put “negative” or “on prep” on their page(s) because they know that people will judge them if they’re honest about being poz (Not their status; being POZ). I dunno, it just seems to me as though people just get prep to fuck each other raw and not feel guilty about the “death sentence” like repercussions that society insinuates with the poz male. As if I haven’t been getting laid gingerly since my diagnosis.. As if my meds make my stroke game weaker or diminishes any other aspect of my sexual prowess whatsoever.
PrEP does NOT cause lipodystrophy (fat displacement). That was an unfortunate side effect of some of the older HIV meds. Nor does it cause osteoporosis.
There is SO much inaccurate information and fearmongering in these comments. I really urge you to get your information from accurate expert sources.
A good resource is the “PrEP Facts” Facebook group, where researchers and clinicians as well as users trade information. It’s a closed group (your other Facebook friends won’t see your activity).
Fact is there will always be guys who will not wear condoms because of how they effect their sexual enjoyment and ability to get and stay hard. So it’s better for that segment of the community to be taking PrEP and help stop the spread of HIV, than to not, and let HIV spread freely. A little harm reduction beats none.
As a bisexual male, I assume that anyone I may have sex with, women or men, is HIV+. I use Truvada and condoms, and am tested every three months. I am selective with my partners and choose what best suits me. Taking precautions is smart. Know your status, and frequent testing for all STD’s.