PrEP, DoxyPEP and Regular Testing: What Sexual Health Guidance Says in 2026

Sexual health advice changes as new evidence comes in, and 2026 has brought one of the most significant updates in years: in May, the World Health Organization issued its first recommendation on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, usually called doxyPEP. This article summarises what official bodies currently say about testing, PrEP and doxyPEP. It is general information, not medical advice. Always speak to a sexual health clinic or doctor about your own situation.

Regular testing is the foundation

Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms, so the only way to know your status is to test. Public health services such as the NHS in the UK and the CDC in the United States recommend that people with new or multiple partners test regularly, and more often if they have frequent partner changes. A common rule of thumb used by clinics is a full screen every three months for people with many partners, and a test after any condom failure or new risk. Your clinic can tell you what interval makes sense for you.

A standard sexual health screen usually covers:

• HIV
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, often from several sites
• Hepatitis B and sometimes hepatitis C

In many European countries, sexual health clinics are free and confidential, and some offer home testing kits by post. You do not have to give your occupation to get tested, but being open with clinic staff helps them recommend the right tests and vaccinations, such as hepatitis A and B or HPV.

Condoms remain essential

None of the medical tools below replaces condoms. Condoms are still the most effective everyday protection against most STIs, including gonorrhoea and chlamydia, and they protect against infections that medication does not cover. In Germany, for example, the Prostitute Protection Act makes condom use compulsory in sex work.

PrEP: preventing HIV

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is medication taken by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, it is highly effective. PrEP is available free or reimbursed through public health systems in many countries, including the UK and much of the EU. It requires regular HIV tests and kidney checks, so it is always prescribed and monitored by a clinic. PrEP does not protect against other STIs.

PEP: after a possible exposure to HIV

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a month-long course of HIV medication started as soon as possible after a possible exposure, and within 72 hours. If a condom breaks with a partner whose status you do not know, contact a sexual health clinic or emergency department straight away and ask about PEP.

DoxyPEP: what is new in 2026

DoxyPEP means taking a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline after sex to reduce the risk of some bacterial STIs, mainly syphilis and chlamydia.

The WHO recommendation

On 28 May 2026, the WHO issued its first recommendation on doxyPEP. It is a conditional recommendation for men who have sex with men and transgender women, prioritising people with recent or repeated STIs, and it is paired with a strong emphasis on monitoring antimicrobial resistance.

The UK guideline

In the UK, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) published a national doxyPEP guideline in 2025, focused on preventing syphilis in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and in transgender women at higher risk. The guideline notes that doxyPEP is not expected to prevent gonorrhoea in the UK because of high levels of resistance.

What this means for you

• DoxyPEP is a prescription medicine for specific groups. It is not a general-purpose "morning after" pill for STIs.
• Do not take leftover or borrowed antibiotics. Misuse fuels resistance and can hide infections.
• If you think you might benefit, ask your sexual health clinic whether you meet the criteria where you live.

Vaccinations worth asking about

Clinics may offer vaccines against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV, and in some places mpox, depending on your risk and local policy. They are quick, effective and often free.

Practical tips

1. Put a recurring reminder in your calendar for routine testing.
2. Keep the contact details of your nearest sexual health clinic in your phone.
3. Know where to get PEP out of hours.
4. Use condoms consistently and keep a supply with you.
5. If you get a positive result, follow the clinic's advice on treatment and on notifying partners. Clinics can often notify partners anonymously.

Where to find reliable information

Stick to official and clinical sources: the World Health Organization, your national health service, the CDC in the US, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in the EU and professional bodies such as BASHH. Avoid buying medication from unregulated websites.