➔ PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication that helps you stay HIV-negative. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. PrEP is safe and generally well tolerated. Most insurance plans (public and private) cover PrEP.
PrEP works for women, men, people of transgender experience, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, youth, and people who inject drugs.
You can use PrEP alone or in combination with other prevention tools like condoms, PEP, and U=U to have the sex you want and reduce your chances of getting HIV!
It is safe to take hormones while using PrEP or PEP. Many people use Truvada as PrEP, as PEP, or as treatment for HIV, and Truvada does not reduce hormone levels. Although it's not expected that Descovy PrEP would reduce hormone levels, more research needs to be done to know for sure. Apretude PrEP (by injection) does not alter hormone levels.
Both Truvada PrEP and Descovy PrEP should be used daily until more data are known
PrEP may be an option for you if:
- You wonder how HIV impacts your life
- Condoms are not used with partners of unknown HIV status
- You or your partner(s) recently had gonorrhea or syphilis
- You want to have sex without condoms with a partner who has HIV
- You have sex for money, food, housing, and/or drugs
- You inject drug and share needles
These resources can help you understand PrEP and whether it’s right for you:
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Videos
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Transgender women and sexual health (2:24 min) – Project Inform
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Women, PrEP & sexual health (2:16 min) – Project Inform
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Mujeres, PrEP y salud sexual (3:19 min) – Project Inform (Spanish)
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PrEP basics
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PrEP for U.S. Trans Women – HIVE, a hub of positive reproductive and sexual health
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Safer Sex for Trans Bodies – Human Rights Campaign (English and Spanish)
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Is PrEP Right for Me? – HIVE
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Black Women and PrEP – Black AIDS Institute
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PrEP Basics – CDC
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PrEP for Trans Women: Transcending Barriers for Safer Pleasure - Project Inform
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In-depth info on PrEP and sexual health
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PrEP and Transgender People - Positively Aware
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What is PrEP? – AIDS Foundation of Chicago (Spanish)
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PrEPFacts.org – San Francisco AIDS Foundation (English and Spanish)
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PrEP4Women – HIVE
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PrEP for Women – The Well Project
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PrEP research
Search our PrEP provider directory by zip code to find a PrEP provider near you.
Also, check out UCSF's Directory of Transgender Health Centers.
Online PrEP providers are also available.
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Clinician Consultation Center’s PrEPLine – Share this link with your medical provider if they are new to PrEP and would like expert clinical consultation by phone.
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Help Desk (if a provider refuses to prescribe PrEP) – Lambda Legal
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What to Do If Your Provider Says “No” to PrEP – Human Rights Campaign
A trained navigator can help you decide which option is right for you. Use PleasePrEPMe's search function to find a provider with navigation assistance.
Check out our State Resources pages to find PrEP resources in your state.
- ¿Es la PPrE adecuada para mi? – HIVE
- Mujeres, PrEP y salud sexual – Project Inform
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Transgender Women and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention – National Center for Innovation in HIV Care
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The future of PrEP among transgender women: the critical role of gender affirmation in research and clinical practices – Journal of the International AIDS Society
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Transgender women & PrEP – American Academy of HIV Medicine
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PrEP for U.S. Trans Women – HIVE
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TransLine Transgender Medical Consultation Service – Project HEALTH/Lyon-Martin
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Do Ask, Do Tell – The Fenway Institute
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