Making your first PrEP appointment is a great way to protect yourself and your partners against HIV. If you don’t have a doctor, or your regular doctor or nurse doesn’t prescribe PrEP, you have options. The doctors and nurses at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center can give you compassionate, safe, and non-judgmental information about PrEP, and can help you get on PrEP if you want to.
Here’s what to expect at your first PrEP appointment:
At your first appointment for PrEP, your nurse or doctor will talk with you about the kind of sex you’re having, whether you use protection (like condoms), and your medical history. It’s important to try and answer as many of their questions as thoroughly as you can as this will help them understand whether PrEP is right for you. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always ask your nurse or doctor too.
It’s also okay to ask your nurse or doctor about confidentiality and privacy before you share any information with them. The things that you talk about during your visit will generally be kept private, but if you are under 18 and/or on your parent’s insurance, there may be certain things that your parent/guardian may find out about.
They’ll then give you tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and other STDs. They'll also test your blood and urine to make sure that your kidneys are okay. These tests make sure that you are healthy enough to take PrEP and that it will work well.
Can I get on PrEP without my parents knowing?
Depending on your age and where you live, you may be able to get PrEP without your parent's permission. If you’re on your parents’ insurance but you don’t want them to know about your PrEP use, you can call your insurance provider directly and ask what their privacy policies are. You can also speak to the health center where you’re getting care before your appointment to see what your options are for getting PrEP without your parents knowing or without using their insurance.
There are organizations that can help you get and pay for PrEP. Greater than AIDS has a tool that can help you find PrEP near you.