I traveled to Europe on DoxyPEP–Here’s what happened
When I first heard about DoxyPEP, I thought I’d discovered a miracle drug. After years of using PrEP for HIV and experiencing the sexual freedom that pill provides, I wondered if DoxyPEP would be the next revolution in sexual health.
My journey with DoxyPEP began in San Francisco–I’m fortunate to live in what’s essentially ground zero for this medication’s rollout. When I asked my doctor about it, he didn’t hesitate to write the prescription. The guidance is refreshingly direct: “take within 24 hours of condomless sex (and no later than 72 hours).” No euphemisms, no judgment.
But it wasn’t until I packed these pills, each packing 100mg and meant to be taken as a pair to make a single dose, totalling 200mg, for a three-week European adventure that I realized just how ahead of the curve San Francisco really is.
“What are those blue pills?” asked Thomas, a charming German guy I met at a Berlin club. We were discussing sexual health over coffee the morning after, as one does in Berlin. When I explained DoxyPEP, his eyes widened. He’d never heard of it.
This scene repeated itself in Amsterdam and Barcelona. I became an inadvertent DoxyPEP educator, explaining how it reduces the risk of certain STIs, particularly chlamydia and syphilis, though it’s less effective against gonorrhea. I found myself clarifying that it’s currently recommended primarily for gay and bisexual men and trans women, based on existing research, and for people with recurring STIs, the risks of potential antibiotic resistance outweigh the benefits.
But being from San Francisco felt like arriving from the future – plot twist! Usually, we Americans are the ones gawking at Europeans’ trendsetting ways. But here I was, feeling like a sexual health influencer dropping hot tips about the next big thing. Here’s what I learned to tell curious Europeans: In San Francisco, nearly 40% of PrEP users at the Magnet sexual health clinic opted for DoxyPEP within its first year of availability. STI rates dropped significantly among users – chlamydia down by 67% and syphilis by 78%.
But I also learned to be honest about the limitations. “It’s not perfect,” I’d explain. “We’re still studying potential antibiotic resistance, and it doesn’t work equally well against all STIs.”
What struck me most during my travels was the varying attitudes toward sexual health innovations. In Amsterdam, guys were fascinated and wanted to know more about implementation. In Berlin, there was more skepticism about antibiotic use. In Barcelona, the focus was on access – how could they get this in Spain?
The conversations often expanded beyond DoxyPEP itself. We’d discuss the broader landscape of sexual health, from PrEP to regular testing to the importance of reducing stigma. These late-night discussions in various European cities reminded me how privileged we are in San Francisco to be at the forefront of sexual health innovations.
Returning to San Francisco, I appreciated our city’s progressive approach to sexual health even more. Here, our clinics don’t just offer DoxyPEP to gay and bisexual men and trans women – they engage in shared decision-making with other groups who might benefit, including trans men and people with multiple partners.
My European adventure taught me that DoxyPEP isn’t just about preventing STIs – it’s about being part of a larger conversation about sexual health, freedom, and responsibility. While the medication itself might be straightforward (take two pills within 72 hours after sex), its impact on sexual health discussions is anything but simple.
For me, DoxyPEP remains an important tool for sexual freedom. But now I also see it as something else: a conversation starter about how we approach sexual health globally, and how far we still have to go in making these innovations accessible to everyone who needs them.
As I unpack my suitcase, smile at my negative STI test results (yes– I still get tested!), and refill my prescription, I can’t help but feel optimistic. If the enthusiasm I encountered in Europe is any indication, DoxyPEP’s story is just beginning. And I’m grateful to be part of telling it.
