What do teens have to say about PrEP?
Hi all! My name is Sarah (she/her), and I’m an HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse and a sexual health researcher at Northwestern University. Although I’m new to working with PrEP4Teens, I’ve been involved in HIV research for almost 10 years, starting when I was a teenager. Prior to working in a sexual health research lab, I had never heard of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or knew anyone taking it (or who talked about taking it). So, if you’ve made it to this blog post, chances are you’ve probably made it farther than I did as a teenager, and at least heard of PrEP. And if you haven’t, that’s okay too – that's what PrEP4Teens was made for!
The idea for PrEP4Teens actually started with a few research studies done by our team’s experts in adolescent health. They asked hundreds of teenagers about what they knew or wanted to know about PrEP, and how many of them had ever been on PrEP. Even though there weren’t a lot of teens already on PrEP, our research team felt it was important to document the experiences of those who were taking PrEP. All this work was used to inform the PrEP4Teens information that exists today.
Whether you’re thinking about, starting, or currently taking PrEP, it can be helpful (and reassuring) to know what other teens have gone through, so we wanted to summarize what those teens said:
First, a lot of teens hear about PrEP from social media ads or when they go to get tested for sexually transmitted infections, but many people haven’t heard about PrEP at all. Some folks struggled with where to find PrEP, but once they found a provider that they could trust, it was a game changer for their PrEP journey and they felt comfortable starting PrEP. One teen advised,
“Find a doctor who you can trust and one who is engaged in the LGBT community. They may be able to help you find a program for reduced price [PrEP]”.
While this teen liked their in-person care, another preferred getting their care online saying, “I got on PrEP using an online service...It is definitely easier than going to the doctors and having an awkward conversation”. Finding the right provider also includes finding the right type of care for you – whether it’s online or in-person. We can help with that - check out our already vetted providers list in Chicago that are super supportive of teens AND PrEP.
When asked what advice they would give other teens, folks said they would encourage being open with their partner(s), friends, and parents about getting on PrEP. Leaning on the supportive people in your life can make getting on a new medication and going to appointments less scary. However, many teens also recognized that this isn’t always a safe or comfortable option. Luckily, in Illinois, anyone 12 years and older & over 77 lbs can receive PrEP without a parent saying “yes”, and there are many resources to help pay for prescriptions (check out our FAQs to learn more).
As with all medications, PrEP can have side effects, and teens also mentioned worrying about nausea, weight loss, or other possible side effects. They suggested talking to providers ahead of getting a prescription to understand all of the side effects so they felt prepared. On the bright side, many teens also said their side effects got better over time.
PrEP made teens feel safe – both mentally and physically. Teens felt “peace of mind” when they were on PrEP due to the protection it offered them in their sexual partnerships. One teen advised,
“If you are considering being sexually active, give it a shot! At best, it is another layer of protection against HIV. At worst, taking the pill without having sex equals ‘no harm, no foul’”.
Trying PrEP now doesn’t mean you need to take it forever, either– your needs and goals may change, and that’s natural. Conversations with your provider are ongoing and can help you figure out if PrEP is right for you, and how it fits (or doesn’t) with your everyday life.
Last but not least, remember sex is normal – and protecting yourself (and your partner(s)) is, too. Talking about these topics can be super tough, but you’re not alone--and seeking out info like this blog are great first steps!
Image(s) and Credit(s):
Content adapted from Gordon J, Wongsomboon V, Alvarado Avila A, Lorenzo J, Mustanski B, Macapagal K. Experiences of Successful PrEP Uptake Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Men in the United States: A Qualitative Exploration. AIDS Educ Prev. 2024;36(1):1-15. doi:10.1521/aeap.2024.36.1.1
Interested in learning more? Read the full article here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11376320/
