Taking Control of Your Sexual Health: Introducing DoxyPEP & Condoms Tags on Grindr
At Grindr, we believe that sex and sexual health practices are personal decisions - which is why we're committed to providing you with the resources and tools you need to look out for yourself and your community.
We’re excited to announce two brand-new, optional additions to Grindr’s Sexual Health Practices section: the “I'm on DoxyPEP” and “Condoms” profile field and tag. Developed in collaboration with Building Healthy Online communities (BHOC), these features let you easily share your approach to STI prevention with potential partners—encouraging open conversations about safer sex and helping everyone make more informed choices.
Why DoxyPEP and Condoms?
DoxyPEP (Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a single-dose pill you can take within 72 hours after sex to significantly reduce your risk of bacterial STIs. According to the CDC, it can reduce the chances of contracting:
- Chlamydia (up to 70% effective)
- Syphilis (up to 70% effective)
- Gonorrhea (over 40% effective)
But DoxyPEP won’t prevent infections like HIV, HPV, or herpes. That's why condoms, among other tools like PrEP, are still a crucial part of sexual health and wellness. Condoms are also the only method that has been proven to prevent both bacterial and viral infections.
By allowing you to display “I am on DoxyPEP” or including the tag “Condoms” on your profile, we’re aiming to make it easy to highlight your safer sex game plan and encourage proactive conversations about sexual health. Because when your practices are out in the open, it invites candid conversations about protection and prevention.
How It Works
Adding these tags takes just a few taps:
- Open Your Profile: Select “Edit Profile” in the Grindr app.
- Find Sexual Health Practices: Look for the area to indicate your safer sex preferences.
- Select Your Tags: Go with “I am on DoxyPEP,” “Condoms,” or both—your call!
- Confirm Your Consent: When you add or update any health-related information (such as these tags or HIV status), a consent screen will pop up. Please review and confirm to ensure your information is stored and displayed according to Grindr’s privacy standards.
Why These Tags Matter Now
Awareness of DoxyPEP remains alarmingly low. In a November Grindr survey of 10,000 gay and bi users, 26% had never heard of DoxyPEP, and another 45% reported little to no knowledge. By giving users the option to include this profile information, we’re shining a light on a vital STI prevention strategy and chipping away at the healthcare barriers that keep people in the dark. Prevention shouldn’t be reserved for those “in the know”—it belongs in every bedroom, every conversation, and every corner of our community.
LGBTQ+ people have always looked out for each other, dating back to grassroots HIV harm reduction movements. We hope these app additions help Grindr users take control of their sexual wellness and encourage conversations around pleasure and safety.
Prevention As the Norm
Remember, no one is obligated to disclose their sexual health status or prevention plans– you control whether to share this information. But if you're able, letting other Grindr users know you're on DoxyPEP or that you use condoms can spark the sort of open dialogues that help break down stigma and close the knowledge gap. We do not share any sexual health profile information with third-party advertisers. We collect this information so it can be displayed as a part of your profile if you choose to include it. For more information on how we protect your personal information visit our Privacy Policy.
If you're curious about starting DoxyPEP, condoms, PrEP, or other sexual health strategies:
- Talk to a healthcare provider who's informed about LGBTQ+ health.
- Explore telehealth options (QCare+, Mistr, etc.) for more discreet, convenient care.
- Check reputable sources like the CDC’s DoxyPEP guidelines or The Love Tank/Queer Health’s DoxyPEP guide.
"The Equality Spotlight": DoxyPEP—A Small Pill with Big Potential
We’re also thrilled to introduce our new Equality Spotlight series under Grindr for Equality—our social justice initiative dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ issues. Featuring Jen Hecht from BHOC, we explore the science, history, and impact of DoxyPEP.
“At BHOC, our goal is to make it easy for dating app users to access health information and resources. By partnering with Grindr, we’ve helped users learn more and get connected to doxyPEP AND self-testing through in-app features like the “Free HIV Home Test” button and the new health practices options. These new features help increase communication and improve sexual health,” says Hecht.
Continuing the Conversation
Ultimately, your sexual health practices are a personal decision—but sharing them might be the spark someone else needs to feel confident about their choices. Whether you’re a full-fledged DoxyPEP devotee, a dedicated condom user, or a proud advocate of both, Grindr has your back.
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