Question
Does PEP cause testicular pain?
16 December 2021. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE, Sexual health, Side effects.
I’m having mild pain in both testes while on PEP, especially after an erection. I’m taking Truvada and Dolutegravir.
Is it possible that the PEP might be the reason behind the pain? The pain is leading me to question if I should continue taking every dose of PEP.
Answer
Hi, how are you?
Sorry to hear about your pain. Have you mentioned this to a doctor. Neither Truvada or Dolutegravir have been associated with testicular pain. Emtricitabine in Truvada has been shown to cause pain, but not in a specific region. The likelihood of this being caused by PEP is less given how it worsens with an erection.
For PEP to be effective it is important you take it every day as instructed for the length of the. course. If PEP is the cause of this pain, remember that PEP is not long-term and the course will soon be over. If you are concerned you will be best to speak to a doctor about your ideas and discuss how to manage it.
Send in any other questions you may have,
Josh.
Hi George, thanks for sharing your experience. This hasn’t been reported as a side effect and millions of people use this meds. Good that you are feeling better though.
I’ve experienced right testicular pain for 4-years now. It started a month after I started PrEP, but I had a back injury the same month and assumed it was referred pain from that all this time. I’ve had three ultrasounds with unclear conclusions. One PCP and two nephrologists that do not know the cause.
Two weeks ago, I stopped PrEP as I saw no need of it not being sexually active since last year, and my pain has gone from a constant 3-5 at rest and 5-7 during activity to 0-2. It’s not completely gone and even when it’s a 0 it still feels warm/hot, but this occurrence led me to Google if there’s a link between PrEP and testicular pain and was happy to find this page. Hopefully PrEP was the cause of it all this time and I can say a month from now that I’m finally pain free.