Getting back in the dating pool can be a bit much for anyone–you have to think about your safety, how safe or promiscious are they, what are their intentions, and especially how is your health going to be affected if and when you decided to become intimate? These concerns are even multiplied when you become a celebrity and Tamar Braxton is living that right now.
After a year of not dating, R&B and reality TV star Tamar Braxton is ready to step outside for some action—and she plans to keep it safe. “I’m on PrEP,” the outspoken personality revealed in a video she posted on social media. “I’d tell everyone to get on PrEP…because prepare yourself.”
Braxton’s referring to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV, available as daily pills or a shot given every two months.
Tamar captioned her Instagram video with: “I’m on prep….. outside is CRAZY.” Before dropping the fact that she’s taking the prevention med, she spoke with her signature kooky candor about the challenges of hitting the dating scene, especially in Atlanta, with men wanting women to sign nondisclosure agreements and women willingly seeing the same man. “I ain’t sharing my man with the streets,” she declares.
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What Is PrEP?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that helps prevent HIV infection in people who are at high risk of exposure to the virus.
How PrEP Works
PrEP consists of antiretroviral medications that block HIV from entering and replicating in the body.
It is taken daily as a pill or as an injection, depending on the individual’s risk factors.
By taking PrEP consistently, individuals can significantly reduce their chances of acquiring HIV through sexual intercourse or injection drug use.
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Who Should Take PrEP?
People who are at high risk of HIV infection, such as those who:
Have unprotected sex with someone who has HIV
Share needles for drug use
Have a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Have a partner who is HIV-positive
Benefits of PrEP
Highly effective at preventing HIV infection when taken as prescribed
Reduces the risk of HIV infection by over 99% when used correctly
Can also help prevent other STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia
Side Effects of PrEP
PrEP is generally well-tolerated, but some common side effects may include:
Nausea, Headache, Diarrhea, and Kidney problems (rare).
Important Things to Remember About PrEP
PrEP is not a cure for HIV. It is only effective at preventing infection.
PrEP must be taken consistently to be effective.
Individuals who take PrEP should still practice safe sex and use condoms to reduce the risk of other STIs.
It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if PrEP is right for you and to discuss the appropriate dosage and administration schedule.
The Only Approved Forms of PrEP Are…
The FDA has approved two oral pills, Truvada and Descovy, and one injectable form, Apretude, for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to prevent HIV infection.
Here’s a breakdown of the approved PrEP options:
Oral PrEP:
Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine): A daily pill containing two drugs to prevent HIV transmission.
Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine): Another daily pill option for HIV PrEP.
Injectable PrEP:
Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension): A long-acting injectable PrEP option administered every two months
Tamar’s Journey to Celibacy
The “Love and War” singer revealed she’s been on a celibacy journey for the last year—and is still taking her decision very seriously.
“I’m still celibate,” she said on the March 28 episode of The Breakfast Club. “Not even a kiss, not a date.”
She continued, “I have friends, casual conversation, but I’m not interested. There’s no one that I’ve been interested in.”
While Tamar, 48, has chosen to be abstinent, she does still crave intimacy every so often—but her long-term relationship goals keep her from acting upon her desires.
“Of course I do,” she admitted, “but where does that lead to? If they’re not like-minded and we’re not on the same page… I’m dating for intent, and nobody is dating for intent anymore. It’s crazy.”
The Real alum first disclosed her decision to remain single in February, citing her son Logan, 11, whom she shares with ex-husband Vincent Herbert, as a major factor in her choice.
“There’s no way I’m going to bring another man into his life to be unsuccessful,” she said on an episode of her Life, Love, & Beyond podcast at the time. “There’s no way.”
In a recent interview, the singer further explained how motherhood played a part in her reasoning for staying celibate.
“Here’s the thing: I didn’t want to keep introducing Logan to the people that were in my life,” she said during an appearance on Sherri aired March 26. “I just want to mentally protect him as much as I can. I don’t want to give him any abandonment issues or anything like that.”
As a result, Tamar has chosen to wait patiently for the right guy to come her way.
“For me as a single mother,” she added, “it’s giving very much I just need to wait until the Lord brings me who the Lord wants me to be with.”
