Does doxyPEP prevent chlamydia?
Yes. Chlamydia bacteria are sensitive to doxycycline, and in the DoxyPEP study chlamydia dropped by more than three quarters in the group that used doxyPEP.
Why chlamydia goes unnoticed
Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. When there are symptoms, they are often vague: a little discharge, a burning feeling when peeing, or pain in the lower belly.
Untreated, chlamydia can cause problems later, such as inflammation in the pelvis and reduced fertility. That is why testing matters even when you feel completely fine.
Same medicine, different dose
Here is something many people do not know: chlamydia is also treated with doxycycline. But treatment is a full course, usually 100 mg twice a day for seven days. A single doxyPEP dose prevents an infection from starting, it does not clear one that is already there.
Positive test? Do not use your doxyPEP tablets as treatment. See a doctor for the full course, and let recent partners know so they can get tested too.
A note on LGV
LGV is a more aggressive type of chlamydia that mainly occurs in the anus, among gay and bisexual men. It needs a longer treatment. If you have pain, discharge or blood from the anus, get tested and mention LGV to the doctor.
Testing for chlamydia
A test is reliable about two weeks after sex. It is a urine test or a swab, depending on where you had sex. With doxyPEP, keep testing every three months: the risk goes down a lot, but not to zero.
