People who use PrEP usually get checked every three months. That is because PrEP protects against HIV, but not against other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis. Regular testing fills that gap. It keeps an eye on your health and helps you catch an STI in time.
It is not an extra burden, it is simply the second half of the same approach.
Why test while using PrEP?
PrEP targets HIV. Other STIs pass right through, because the pill does not stop those infections. So testing is not a redundant step but a fixed part of safe PrEP use. According to the RIVM, check-ups are a standard part of PrEP.
There is also an HIV reason to keep testing. PrEP only works well if you do not have untreated HIV, so the HIV test confirms the foundation is sound. The value of that was clear in the large PrEP trials, such as PROUD in the Lancet (McCormack et al., 2016).
How often should you test?
For most PrEP users it comes down to a check roughly every three months. Sometimes that is more often, depending on your situation. Your doctor sets the rhythm that fits you; the schedule below only gives a picture of what is usually checked.
| Moment | Usually tested | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before starting | HIV, STIs, kidney function, hepatitis B | Establish a sound baseline |
| Every 3 months | HIV and the most common STIs | Catch early, safeguard protection |
| On symptoms | Targeted test when you have complaints | Quick clarity when in doubt |
This schedule is a guide, not a medical prescription. You set your personal schedule with the doctor who prescribes your PrEP.
Which STIs belong in the check?
Besides HIV it usually involves chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, and sometimes more depending on your situation. Which test fits which moment is explained in our guide which STI test do you need, and when?. For the wider value of checking regularly, read why regular STI screening matters.
Sometimes testing happens at other sites than just blood or urine. If you have had oral or anal sex, a swab at that site may be needed so an infection is not missed. What makes sense in your case depends on your sex life, and you discuss that openly with the doctor or the testing provider.
The idea behind all those checks is simple: not wanting to know everything at once, but checking often enough that an STI does not stay unnoticed for months.
Testing anonymously alongside your PrEP check-ups
You do not have to arrange everything in one place. Your PrEP runs through the GGD or GP, but your interim STI check can be done anonymously with us. How testing at home or at a location works is explained in STI test at home: reliable and anonymous testing.
With us you can choose, for example, a single HIV test or the broader viral infections package. Discreet, without insurance, with an assessment by a doctor.
What if a test is positive?
A positive result mainly means: now you know, and something can be done about it. The next steps run through your doctor, and we explain it calmly in our explainer on PrEP and the care that goes with it.
Honestly, this is the strongest argument for testing regularly: an STI you know about, you can tackle. An STI you ignore, you cannot.
Frequently asked questions about PrEP and testing
Do I really have to test every three months? For many PrEP users that is the rhythm, but your doctor decides what fits you. Sometimes more often makes sense, sometimes a little less. The schedule depends on your situation.
Can I arrange my STI check separately from my PrEP? Yes. Your PrEP runs through the GGD or GP, but your interim STI and HIV check can be done anonymously with us, at a moment that suits you.
Which STIs am I then checked for? Usually HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, and sometimes more depending on your situation. Which test fits which moment depends on your risk and your complaints.
What if I am late for a test once? Then plan it as soon as you can after all. Running late once is no disaster, but the pattern of checking regularly is what counts.
Does a home test count just as much? A reliable test taken in a certified way gives clarity. How anonymous testing works is explained in our article on STI testing at home.
Every STI result we provide is assessed by a BIG-registered doctor. PrEP and PEP are medicines arranged through the GGD or your GP; always discuss starting, stopping and your check-ups with them.
Want to know more about reliability, the window period and anonymous testing? Read our HIV test guide.
Sources
- RIVM, STI
- Soa Aids Nederland, PrEP
- Thuisarts.nl, STI
- McCormack S et al. Pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the acquisition of HIV-1 infection (PROUD). Lancet. 2016 (PMID 26364263).
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