Reducing HIV Risk
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, orPrEP,involves taking medication to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV.
It’s calledpre-exposurebecause people ideally take it before they are exposed to the virus.
This has left out another risk grouptransgender men and other transmasculine people.
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Transmasculine individuals are those who were assigned female at birth but who have a more masculine gender identity.
Binary- and non-binary transmasculine individuals have a diverse range of sexual orientations and behaviors.
They may identify as straight, gay, pansexual, bisexual, or another sexual orientation.
They may use their vagina for sex, or they may not.
They may have had aphalloplastyand/ormetoidioplasty.
All of these factors can affectHIV risk.
Despite that, the HIV-positive transmasculine individuals examined in the study experienced numerous difficulties in getting adequate HIV care.
So what are the sources of transmasculine HIV risk?
They are as varied as the transgender men themselves.
For example, that could include unprotected receptive vaginal or anal intercourse.
Sexual minority individuals and individuals with the lowest incomes were the most likely to be eligible.
That meant that only 10% of eligible transmasculine people received PrEP.
PrEP Efficacy for Transgender Men
How effective is PrEP for transgender men?
We don’t entirely know.
There is no efficacy data specifically for the transmasculine population.
This is in part because not everyone takes PrEP as regularly as prescribed.
That way your dose can be changed as needed.
Should Transgender Men Consider PrEP?
Whether PrEP is a good idea for transgender men and other transmasculine people depends on the person.
Individuals who are at higher risk of HIV should definitely discuss PrEP with their healthcare provider.
That way you’re free to weigh your options about whether PrEP is right for you.
Just don’t forget that PrEP only reduces your risk of HIV, not of otherSTDs.
Therefore,safer sexis still a good idea.
doi:10.1002/jia2.25391
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.PrEP effectiveness.
