Lukas Gage is opening up about how being cheated on changed the way he approaches his sexual health.<\/p>\n
The \u201cWhite Lotus\u201d star got candid in a sit-down with The Post about the time a partner gave him not one but two sexually transmitted infections<\/a> \u2014 despite their exclusive status.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a double whammy,\u201d Gage, 30, said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t that I was in an opposition to having a nonmonogamous relationship, it was just not talked about.\u201d<\/p>\n Lukas Gage is opening up about his sexual health ahead of the release of his debut memoir, \u201cI Wrote This for Attention.\u201d New York Post<\/p>\n Now, the \u201cCompanion\u201d actor is on a mission to break sexual health taboos with his debut memoir, \u201cI Wrote This for Attention<\/a>,\u201d set for release October 14.<\/p>\n In the book, Gage dives deep into that experience \u2014 along with his upbringing in a \u201cbroken\u201d family, rise to stardom, and struggles with sex, addiction and mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cThis book is raw, provocative, chaotic, and \u2014 dare I say \u2014 slutty,\u201d said \u201cIt Ends with Us\u201d author Colleen Hoover.<\/p>\n Double trouble down under<\/p>\n Gage has always been proactive about his health \u2014 whether it\u2019s working out, eating right or going to therapy.<\/p>\n When he was single, he regularly got tested for STIs. But that habit fell off once he thought he entered a monogamous relationship.<\/p>\n Gage has appeared in hit shows like \u201cEuphoria,\u201d \u201cThe White Lotus\u201d and \u201cOvercompensating.\u201d Max<\/p>\n So it came as \u201ca surprise\u201d when he started having symptoms below the belt that could only have come from his partner.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really kind of freaked me out and sent me into a spiral,\u201d the \u201cEuphoria\u201d actor said. <\/p>\n When Gage confronted his partner, he denied stepping out of the relationship and passing on an STI.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was very much sticking to the lie, until I went to the doctor who laughed at me as soon as I pulled down my pants and said, \u2018That\u2019s an STD,\u2019\u201d Gage said.<\/p>\n Turns out, he\u2019d actually caught two infections.<\/p>\n After contracting two STIs, Gage made regular testing a priority. WireImage<\/p>\n Fortunately, both were treatable. But the experience taught Gage to \u201cdo anything I can to protect myself, whether or not I\u2019m in a relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat certain situation really was the thing that pushed me into being extra cautious,\u201d he said. \u201cSince then, even regardless of the status of the relationship, I\u2019ve been consistent with the three month rule.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts recommend STI testing every three to six months for anyone with new or multiple partners. But Gage suggested that even people in monogamous relationships should get tested every now and then.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re single, in a relationship, somewhere in between,\u201d he said. \u201cI think having that awareness and that protection, that knowledge, is the way that we don\u2019t have to live in fear and have anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n Gage\u2019s daily dose of defense<\/p>\n Along with getting tested regularly, the star now takes PrEP every day, incorporating it into his morning routine alongside a cup of coffee, vitamins and a workout.<\/p>\n Gage is an advocate for PrEP, which can reduce your chance of getting HIV. Marc Patrick\/BFA.com\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n PrEP \u2014 short for pre-exposure prophylaxis<\/a> \u2014 is a medication that slashes the risk of contracting HIV by stopping the virus from taking hold in the body if exposed.<\/p>\n Anyone who is sexually active without HIV can use PrEP, but the CDC especially recommends<\/a> it for those who\u2019ve had anal or vaginal sex in the last six months and:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s helped me to just not have to spin out and be so fearful,\u201d said Gage, who has partnered with\u00a0Gilead<\/a>\u00a0to promote the company\u2019s HealthySexual campaign<\/a>, which aims to raise awareness about HIV testing and PrEP.<\/p>\n Gage has partnered with HealthySexuals.com to raise awareness about the importance of protecting your sexual health. Gilead\/HealthySexuals<\/p>\n\n