Pre Exposure Prophylaxis – PrEP
Pre Exposure Prophylaxis – PrEP – is medication used before sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV. It does not protect against pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections.
Read more about PrEP here:
Whether to use PrEP or not will depend on your personal circumstances which may change overtime.
If you don’t know if your partner does or does not have HIV and it is sometimes difficult to use condoms PrEP may make sex safer.
PrEP is not needed if:
- your partner does not have HIV – ask them about their most recent STI test
- you are always able to use condoms if you don’t know your partner’s status
- your partner has HIV and takes regular HIV treatment and has an undetectable viral load. Read more about Undetectable = Untransmittable.
PrEP can be used daily (daily dosing) or just around the times you think you may be having sex (event based dosing / holiday PrEP).
Find our more here:
PrEP is now provided free on the NHS from sexual health clinics if your circumstances make it the best choice for you.
PrEP can also be legally bought online.
However you get PrEP you should have some tests before / when you start PrEP:
- HIV blood test – to check you do not already have HIV as PrEP medication does not help to treat HIV only to prevent it
- Kidney function blood test – to check PrEP medication is safe for you to use.
- STI tests – as part of your routine sexual health care to ensure you have no other infections that should be treated
If you continue taking PrEP these tests should be repeated at regular intervals
Please contact your local sexual health clinic to discuss if PrEP is right for you.
If The Wolverton is your local clinic please contact us and let us know you would like to start taking PrEP. We will offer you an appointment to discuss PrEP. If you need to take PrEP; we will arrange testing and be able to offer you PrEP medication to collect from the clinic.
If you are already receiving PrEP from us please ensure you have completed and received your home testing results before contacting us.
Running low on PrEP?
If very limited supply of PrEP at home, you can walk-in or give us a call and we can sort an appointment and do your STI screening at the same time.
We no longer run a walk-in service however, we still offer same day emergency appointments and appointments in the week including evenings.
If you urgently require more PrEP you can walk-in to clinic or call to get an urgent appointment on the call centre number below and we can then ensure we book you into the correct appointment type.
