What are the other methods for preventing HIV and STIs?

Modern sexual health relies on combined prevention.

The idea is that there is no single magic bullet, but rather a set of tools that you can combine to create the strategy that perfectly fits your life and your needs. Here are the main tools at your disposal:

The Condom: the "all-in-one" protection

The condom (male or female) remains the only tool that protects against HIV, most other STIs, and unwanted pregnancies all at once.

PrEP: the continuous prevention of HIV

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) involves taking a medication continuously to prevent HIV from establishing itself in the body. It is an extremely effective method for HIV-negative people.

Doxy-PEP: the post-intercourse prevention of bacterial STIs

Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) involves taking an antibiotic after a risky sexual encounter to reduce the chances of contracting syphilis and chlamydia. It has no effect on HIV.

PEP (or PPE): the emergency prevention of HIV

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral treatment to be started as soon as possible after a high-risk situation. It is an emergency solution for people who are not on PrEP.

TasP / U=U: treatment as prevention

This is the principle that a person living with HIV who is on effective treatment and has an Undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus (U=U, or I=I in French). It is a major HIV prevention strategy.

Vaccination: the long-term prevention

Vaccination protects you long-term against several infections. Consider checking if you are up to date for Mpox (monkeypox), hepatitis A and B, and HPV (Gardasil®9).