St. Louis has been infamously ranked as having one of the highest sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates in the country. Affinia Healthcare is now offering a weapon to help send those rates in a downward trend.

Affinia Healthcare is now offering DoxyPEP, a doxycycline post-exposure preventative treatment for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Some have referred to it as the ‘morning after pill’ for bacterial STIs.

DoxyPEP is for individuals assigned male at birth and:

• *Have been diagnosed with at least one bacterial STI (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the last 12 months
• *Have had condomless oral and/or anal sexual contact with at least one individual assigned male at birth in the last 12 months

The CDC currently recommends doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis for gay, bisexual, MSM (men who have sex with other men), and transgender women. Research shows states that provide DoxyPEP have seen significant decreases in chlamydia and syphilis cases among these at-risk groups.

“DoxyPEP may be the game-changer when it comes to reducing the rates of transmission for these common STIs,” said Dr. Melissa Tepe, VP/Chief Medical Officer for Affinia Healthcare. “We will still encourage using preventative measures for STIs, but this is another tool patients can use to help reduce the rates of infection in these populations.”

April is STI Awareness Month and Affinia Healthcare plans to have its HIV/STI Prevention-Community Health team in neighborhoods and at community events to spread the word about DoxyPEP and other STI/HIV resources for prevention and treatments.

If someone has questions or need more information about DoxyPEP or other Affinia Healthcare services, email the HIV/STI Prevention & Care team at affiniahivpreventionteam@affiniahealthcare.org, visit the Urgent Care at our 2220 Lemp Avenue location, or call 314.814.8700 to schedule an appointment at one of our health centers, located in St. Louis City and County.