How to protect yourself against STIs in The Netherlands

It's better to prevent than to cure, so here's a list of what you can do (besides using condoms) to protect yourself against STIs.

prep

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is the method where you take pills daily or around sex to prevent contracting HIV. Unfortunately, the GGD is struggling with full waiting lists, but there are increasingly more alternatives to still get PrEP. Think of PrEPzorg.nl and onetwodigital.nl. You can also go to many general practitioners for it, especially within the Randstad. Good to know: PrEP is also safe for trans people. “There are rumors that PrEP would have a negative impact on hormone medication. Antivirals do nothing to your hormones, there is no interaction,” says Hanna Bos, doctor at Soa Aids Nederland. More information about PrEP can be found in this article: Everything you need to know about PrEP in The Netherlands.

doxypep

A controversial prevention method in the Netherlands is Doxypep: taking the drug Doxycyclin within 72 hours after sex to prevent contracting chlamydia or syphilis. In America, Doxypep also works a bit against gonorrhea, but the variants circulating in Europe are already resistant to Doxycyclin. In the Netherlands, it is not advised to use the drug in this way, but some people get pills from abroad. A national committee of experts strongly advises against using Doxypep, especially without any medical supervision. “Preventing STIs is very important, but the use of a medication like Doxypep must be carefully considered. Antibiotics are valuable, and we must prevent resistance,” says Hanna Bos, doctor at Soa Aids Nederland. “In some cases, a general practitioner may still choose to prescribe Doxycycline for use as Doxypep.” More information about Doxypep can be found in this article: Everything you need to know about Doxypep in The Netherlands.

mpox vaccination

Mpox (formerly known as 'monkeypox') is transmitted through intensive skin-to-skin contact. In principle, anyone can contract Mpox. However, most infections are sexually transmitted, particularly among men who have sex with men. In 2022, there was an outbreak that made international news. Thanks in part to a large vaccination round among men who have sex with men and trans people, worse was prevented. You can now get vaccinated against Mpox again if you did not receive two shots in the previous vaccination round in 2022. Visit mantotman.nl/mpoxvaccinatie for information about mpox and how you can get vaccinated.

hpv vaccination

Almost everyone who has had sex has had one or more of the eight variants of HPV. You usually don't notice it, but sometimes you get genital warts. These warts are not dangerous and eventually go away on their own. However, some types of HPV can cause anal cancer, penile cancer, and cervical cancer. Men with HIV have a slightly higher risk because HPV is more difficult to clear from the body. Are you under 18? Then you can get vaccinated against HPV for free at the GGD. “We actually recommend everyone up to 25 years old to get an HPV vaccination. It can prevent a lot of trouble,” says Bos. Are you over 25? Then there is a good chance that you have already had one or more variants of HPV, but not all. “How useful it is to get vaccinated after age 25 is currently being investigated in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It is expected to have little impact on an individual level,” says Bos. If you are over 18, you can still get vaccinated through your doctor, but be aware: it costs a few hundred euros. For more info, visit mantotman.nl/hpv.

vaccination against hepatitis a&b

Good news! It was already possible to get vaccinated for hepatitis B for free at the GGD, but since June you can also get vaccinated for hepatitis A for free. This vaccination is called Twinrix. Note: you can only get Twinrix if you have not been vaccinated for hepatitis B before. Check mantotman.nl/zegnee for more information.

vaccination for gonorrhea?

Research in Australia shows that a vaccination for Meningococcal B reduces the chance of gonorrhea by about 26-46%. People who often have gonorrhea with unpleasant symptoms may consider this vaccine. In fact, in the United Kingdom, it is already used in the highest risk groups to slightly reduce the chance of gonorrhea in the rest of the population. You need two shots, one shot costs about 85 euros. This can be done through the general practitioner or the travel clinic of the GGD. Check for more info at mantotman.nl/gonorroe.