PrEP is a medicine that helps prevent an HIV infection. You take it before you are at risk, not after. It only protects against HIV, not against other STIs. In the Netherlands you arrange PrEP through the GGD or your GP. People who use PrEP also get checked for STIs every three months.
That last part is easy to forget. PrEP and testing belong together, and that is exactly what makes it a sensible choice rather than a gamble.
What is PrEP exactly?
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis: protection before you come into contact with HIV. It is a pill containing medicines that are also used to treat HIV. Taken as prescribed, PrEP strongly lowers the chance of HIV.
In the iPrEx study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Grant et al., 2010), daily PrEP substantially lowered HIV risk among people who took the pill consistently. The more consistent the use, the larger the effect appeared to be.
How does PrEP work in practice?
There are two ways to take PrEP. With daily PrEP you take one pill every day. With event-driven PrEP (also called 2-1-1) you take pills around a specific moment of sex. Which form fits is something you discuss with the doctor who prescribes your PrEP.
Worth knowing: PrEP builds up protection and asks for consistent use. A single missed pill is not a disaster, but the pattern matters. According to the RIVM, regular monitoring is therefore a fixed part of using PrEP.
| Form | How you take it | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| Daily PrEP | One pill every day, even without sex | People with regular risk or who want steady protection |
| Event-driven (2-1-1) | 2 pills before sex, then 1 per day | People with less frequent, plannable risk |
| No PrEP | Other prevention, such as condoms | People with low risk or who prefer no pills |
This table is a guide, not a prescription. You make the choice together with your doctor.
Who is PrEP useful for?
PrEP is mainly intended for people with a raised chance of HIV. Think of men who have sex with men, people with changing partners, or people whose partner has HIV and is not on treatment. Soa Aids Nederland describes, per situation, when PrEP can be a logical option.
Not sure whether it fits you? That is exactly the question you put to the GGD or your GP. They look at your situation, not at a general checklist.
PrEP and STI testing: why they go together
PrEP protects against HIV, but not against chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis. That is why regular STI testing belongs with PrEP use. It keeps the picture complete and helps you catch another STI in time.
Want to know how often and what to test for? Read PrEP and STI testing: how often should you get checked?. Want to understand HIV itself first, see HIV: early symptoms and test reliability. And if you are unsure which test fits your situation, start with our guide which STI test do you need, and when?.
Where do you get PrEP in the Netherlands?
PrEP runs through the GGD or your GP. They assess whether it fits, prescribe it and plan your check-ups. Discreettest does not prescribe PrEP, but you can use us to do the anonymous HIV test and the STI checks that belong alongside PrEP.
My honest view: PrEP is a strong form of protection, but only if you take the matching check-ups seriously. It is not a pill you take in isolation, it is an approach.
Frequently asked questions about PrEP
Does PrEP protect against all STIs? No. PrEP targets HIV and does nothing against chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis. So testing, and possibly a condom, stay important alongside your PrEP.
Do I have to use PrEP for the rest of my life? Not necessarily. In consultation with your doctor you can start and stop, for example during a period when you are at more or less risk. PrEP is something you fit to your life, not the other way around.
Can I combine PrEP with condoms? Yes, and many people do. PrEP covers HIV, the condom adds broad protection against other STIs. Together that is cover on two fronts.
Does PrEP work straight away? No, protection builds up. How fast depends on the form and on how consistently you take the pills. Your doctor explains what applies to your situation and when you are protected.
Have a question that is not listed here? Feel free to ask the GGD or your GP. When in doubt, a quick question always beats an assumption.
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, HIV
- Soa Aids Nederland, PrEP
- Thuisarts.nl, HIV
- Grant RM et al. Preexposure chemoprophylaxis for HIV prevention in men who have sex with men. N Engl J Med. 2010 (PMID 21091279).
Tags
Author
