-/+ couple using PrEP with ARVT, unsure of statistics

[abraham]

First off, I'm new here so hello and thank you for approving my request to join your discussion.

I'm in my mid 20s of age, happily married as of this past August, and HIV-negative as of last labwork which was about 2 months ago; I have labwork done every 3 months as a result of taking Truvada daily for PrEP.

My husband tells me he has been living POZ for about three years now, viral load undetectable for the past two years; he takes Atripla daily.

All that said, I am terribly confused as to what level of risk I am exposing myself to in regards to contracting HIV.

The figures I got from my HIV-specialist nurse did not match those given by my PrEP-prescribing doctor. Furthermore, the figures I got from three other doctors (I underwent a PEP regimen twice before starting PrEP) seem contrary to what I am now being told.

Some information that is relevant to address; I am uncircumcised and the pentrative partner when engaging in intimacy with my husband. We use condoms about half the time we have intercourse, a sharp decline compared to when we first met which was characterized by my wrapping it up every time and the subsequent erectile dysfunction that accompanied leaving me no choice but to spend a lot of money on ED meds not covered by my insurance. However, the more and more I read for myself information pertaining to HIV transmission rates I feel compelled to wear a condom regardless for the sake of being a responsible husband.

I fully understand that whatever I may read here is not license to engage in unprotected sex, but know that any and all relevant information I can acquire is helping me make better informed decisions.

[Jeff G]

Your Husband is undetectable and you are on Prep so it seems you have little to worry about as long as you both are adherent with your meds . If you are not comfortable not using condoms you should not forgo them until you have that sorted out, ultimately the its your decision to make .   

I personally would only engage in unprotected sex if I were certain I was in a mutually monogamous relationship because of the possibility of other STI's if you are not monogamous .   

[Jeff G]

As a person that is not living with HIV you are only allowed to post in this one thread in someone I care about . Thanks .