All too often, sexual health topics are considered a source of embarrassment or even shame. But the reality is, sexual health is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to overall health and well-being — and it’s worth taking time to discuss.

September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, a month dedicated to increasing knowledge around sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex. One important part of that conversation? PrEP. 

PrEP, which stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a medication therapy that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. There are two different PrEP medications approved by the FDA, and when taken as prescribed, they’re over 99 percent effective in preventing HIV.

“PrEP shouldn’t be left out of the sexual health conversation,” says Mario Forte, PrEP Navigator at Cempa Community Care. “It’s a game-changer when it comes to HIV prevention: We have a tool now that is very safe and very easily obtained. It’s affordable for almost anybody, and it’s a way to prevent HIV.”

Many people mistakenly think of PrEP as something only necessary for specific people, such as those who have intercourse with same-sex partners, but that’s not true.

“It doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is,” Forte says. “PrEP benefits people who have multiple partners, who don’t use condoms a lot, or who simply have anxiety about contracting HIV. These are all valid reasons why someone would be interested in this tool.”

“Many people don’t think they’re at risk for HIV,” Forte continues. “The reason isn’t because they don’t think about it — it’s because they don’t understand the risk. It’s important to have sexual health conversations with your provider, to find out whether you’re at risk.”

How to Access PrEP Therapy
If you’re curious about whether PrEP may be right for you, it’s something you can discuss with your medical provider as part of a regular checkup or visit.

“Any doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe PrEP,” Forte says. “It’s very easy to obtain. I would equate asking for PrEP to a woman asking for birth control pills. Bring it up in a discussion at a provider visit.”

If you’re uncomfortable discussing the topic with your doctor or if you don’t have a primary medical provider, you can also gain access to these prophylactic medications through Cempa’s PrEP Clinic.

“Clinics like ours are dedicated to providing tools like PrEP, which is a good option if you’re interested in PrEP but don’t want to go through your provider to access it,” Forte says. “I’m available at all times to answer questions by email or text or over the phone. On our website, you can get information about what to expect at your appointment and even schedule the appointment.”

The Facts About PrEP
PrEP therapy has been available since 2012, but even as the medications become more well-known and utilized, there are still a lot of myths about them. (Cempa breaks down the facts here.)

“You often see rumors that the medication will destroy the kidneys or the liver — those are simply not true,” Forte says. “But the myths are still prevalent in the community. People have heard that side effects are associated and because of that will not pursue PrEP. But if they’d check with their provider, they’d learn something completely different. Research shows that PrEP is safer than taking a daily aspirin.”

Cempa’s PrEP Clinic can walk you through the process of obtaining PrEP. Check out the PrEP page on our website to access information about the therapy, find contact information for PrEP Navigator Mario Forte, or schedule an appointment.