What to Expect at Your First PrEP Consultation

Your first PrEP consultation — with a doctor. Many people who haven't taken that step yet aren't sure what to expect, or whether it'll feel uncomfortable. It doesn't have to.

What the consultation covers

The first appointment has two goals: to assess whether PrEP is right for you, and to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

That includes:

• Your current situation and individual HIV risk profile
• Which PrEP dosing approach might suit you (daily vs. on-demand)
• What pre-tests are needed
• How monitoring works
• Costs and insurance options (statutory health insurance, private insurance, or self-pay)

What tests are needed before starting?

Before PrEP can be prescribed, certain tests are required:

• HIV test — PrEP is only for HIV-negative people
• Kidney function test (creatinine, eGFR)
• Hepatitis B status
• Recommended: STI screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis

These can be done beforehand at a GP or checkpoint lab — or as part of the PrEP consultation itself.

Do you have to explain your sex life?

No. Good PrEP care is non-judgmental. You don't have to justify or explain how you live. The doctor needs certain information to advise you well — but the conversation should feel safe, not shaming.

Things worth thinking about in advance

It helps to have a rough sense of:

• How regularly you're likely to take PrEP
• Whether you take any other medications
• Any questions you have about side effects or monitoring

After the consultation

If pre-tests are fine and there are no contraindications, a prescription can usually be issued straight away. Many people describe their first PrEP consultation as a relief — finally a space where something can be discussed openly that rarely gets talked about.