As people with prostates (PwP) get older, they are more likely to have prostatic conditions such as BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer. Screening for prostate cancer can be considered using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test alone, or in conjunction with a digital rectal exam (in which the clinician uses a finger through the rectum to feel for prostate growths)—guidelines vary. Per the Canadian Urological Association in 2022, the recommended age to consider starting for prostate cancer screening is around 50 years of age for those who are at average risk. However, it is recommended that those at higher risk, including African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) men, consider screening for prostate cancer earlier at age 45.
Factsheet: use of Doxycycline-PEP for STI prevention
Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance has published a new factsheet on the use of Doxycycline as PEP for STI prevention.
In Canada, gay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (gbMSM) and trans women are disproportionately impacted by sexually-transmitted infections (STIs)
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a health promotion initiative aimed to reduce and prevent STIs in these populations.
WHAT IS DOXYCYCLINE? Doxycycline is an inexpensive antibiotic prescribed to treat acne, malaria, and bacterial STIs. Doxycycline belongs to a class of drugs known as tetracycline antibiotics.
Recent research findings suggest that it can be taken before or after condomless sex to prevent certain bacterial STIs. When doxycycline is taken after condomless sex, it is known as ‘doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis’ or ‘doxy-PEP’ to prevent STIs.
There have been various research studies on doxycycline to prevent STI acquisition in trans women, gbMSM, and cisgender women.
The finding from these studies, which have been presented at various large conferences are summarized in this resource.
Doxy-PEP reduced chlamydia infection risk reduced by 70%, while syphilis infection risk decreased by 73%.
Please speak to your healthcare provider for further information about whether doxycycline is right for you.