Sex Question

[Tguid13]

Hi there!

My partner and I were both diagnosed with HIV at the same time. We are about 3 months post diagnosis and have achieved undetectable VLs. We've been having sex with condoms, but I was curious to know if we still need to use them.

I know this is a question for a medical professional, but my doctor said that we should wait until we are 6 months UD and his doctor said that it should be fine as long as we are monogamous.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

[leatherman]

I know this is a question for a medical professional

actually it's not anymore.

Research has shown that someone living with HIV does not transmit HIV after being UD for 6 months. It's known as "undetectable = untransmittable". It's also the principle behind "TasP" - "treatment as prevention". When a person living with HIV who has HIV successfully controlled (UD for 6 months) they can't spread HIV which helps in stopping the spread of HIV (i.e. prevention).
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/art/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/globalhivtb/what-we-do/briefingbook/briefbook-hivprevention.html

So in a few more months, y'all can skip the condoms.....
as long as you're cautious about other possible diseases. (ugh. I hate when our HIV doc talks to us about stuff like this; but he knows other couples who aren't monogamous like me and my hubby, so we always get the warning.  Of course this would have been a valid warning in my younger days with my previous partners.  )

[Tguid13]

Sorry! I don't know if I phrased my question correctly. I know that we aren't considered U=U status as of now, but both of our VLs have been suppressed for 2 months. 2 of our doctors said condomless sex is fine, but a third said to wait.

So my question is: Is there any risk of us having condomless sex considering we have the same strain, we both have suppressed VLs, and we are monogamous?

[zach]

Wait

Data says 6 months

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Moved your thread to this section.

Not much to add to what the other gents have mentioned already. Wait until you are UD for 6 months. UD in terms of U=U would be below 200 copies.

If you do engage in condomless intercourse with your partner you should consider testing more regularly for STI's.

Treatment as prevention (TasP) Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=71864.0

[Grasshopper]

I am wondering if the meds they both are currently taking not working/acting as "sort of PreP" ?

[Jim Allen]

The short answer would be, yes in theory.

6 months not to pass it on, and their meds should offer some prevention in the meantime if both partners have high levels of adherence and don't have or develop resistance to the Biktarvy.

[Grasshopper]

The Prep components Emtricitabine & Tenofovir, are also part of Biktarvy

[Jim Allen]

Yup.