Mental Health Symptoms Associated with Sexualized Drug Use (Chemsex) among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Systematic Review

Íncera-Fernández, Daniel; Gámez-Guadix, Manuel; Moreno-Guillén, Santiago

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413299

Cited by 68 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 92 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The use of psychoactive substances has frequently been related to a high incidence, prevalence, and severity of mental health outcomes (e.g., Borodovsky and Budney, 2018 [ 48 ]). Although psychological symptoms of people who use drugs for sexual purposes has increased in recent years [ 49 , 50 ], studies of the variables associated with mental health are still scarce [ 51 ]. Tomkins et al (2019) [ 52 ] carried out a systematic review, finding that SDU is associated with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and addiction to recreational drugs in MSM.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risky Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Motivations, and Mental Health among Heterosexual Women and Men Who Practice Sexualized Drug Use in Spain

Íncera-Fernández

Román

Gámez-Guadix

2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sexualized drug use (SDU) has been poorly studied among heterosexuals. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of and gender differences in types of substances, risky sexual practices, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), motivations, and psychological adjustment among heterosexual women and men who engage in SDU. The study sample consisted of 1181 heterosexuals (795 women) between 18 and 78 years old (mean age = 24.4, SD = 7.4). Approximately 12% of the participants had engaged in SDU. No differences were found in the prevalence of SDU between men and women. Alcohol, cannabis, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) were the substances most frequently used for sexual purposes. Men were significantly more likely to use MDMA, ecstasy, cocaine, and erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs, and they tended to have more sexual partners than women. Likewise, SDU was related to have more sexual partners, penetrative sex without a condom, practice a fetish, be diagnosed with syphilis, chlamydia, and others STIs, and present more depression symptoms (but not with more anxiety). In conclusion, SDU was associated with poorer physical and mental health. It is, therefore, necessary to design programs aimed at reducing the incidence of the consequences of SDU on the physical and mental health of both men and women. Moreover, programs that seek to understand why these individuals engage in SDU should be undertaken.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risky Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Motivations, and Mental Health among Heterosexual Women and Men Who Practice Sexualized Drug Use in Spain

Íncera-Fernández

Román

Gámez-Guadix

2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The practice is sustained because of the powerful psychological functions that it performs for many of those who engage in it-most notably for identity processes [58,82]. Although some gay and bisexual men do manage their chemsex engagement effectively, it is evident that the practice presents major risks to psychological and sexual health among many others [83,84]. Indeed, focusing HIV prevention efforts on gay and bisexual men reporting chemsex behavior would be especially beneficial from a public health perspective [85].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemsex, Identity and Sexual Health among Gay and Bisexual Men

Jaspal

2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article focuses on some of the social, cultural and psychological aspects of drug use in sexualized settings in gay and bisexual men (referred to as “chemsex”). Using a narrative review approach, the article examines previous empirical research in this area and presents a novel theoretical approach for understanding and predicting chemsex behavior. Tenets of identity process theory from social psychology are drawn upon to offer an integrative theoretical framework within which the social, cultural and psychological underpinnings of chemsex can be collectively examined. Existing empirical research suggests that gay and bisexual men may experience sexuality-related stressors that can undermine feelings of self-esteem, self-efficacy, continuity and positive distinctiveness. Identity process theory examines how individuals react to threats to identity brought about by these stressors. In response to identity threat, gay and bisexual men may engage in chemsex as a coping response that encompasses and facilitates various, largely maladaptive, coping strategies and tactics. The more chemsex is perceived as enhancing identity processes and as averting identity threat, the more central it is likely to be to the identities of participants. The centrality of chemsex to one’s identity may preclude self-withdrawal from the practice. Several directions for future research are presented based on existing work on chemsex viewed through the lens of identity process theory. These should form the basis of future empirical research in the sphere of sexual health among gay and bisexual men and the outcomes of this research should inform policy and practice in this area.

show abstract

“…Chemsex is also associated with harmful effects in terms of mental health, addiction, and an increased risk of STI/HIV acquisition. Depression, anxiety, and poorer mental health scores are all more common among people who practice chemsex ( 30 ). Moreover, the incidence of STIs is also higher among chemsex users ( 31 ) with some studies suggesting an increased risk of HIV infection because of a high rate of condomless sexual intercourse among this group ( 32 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-life cohort experience after implementing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for one year in northwest Spain

Pérez-González

Represa²,

Coll³

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has become a useful tool to reduce the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in key populations. In this article we assessed the effectiveness, safety, adherence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) dynamics, and frequency of anal dysplasia among a real-life cohort of PrEP users in Northwest Spain.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was undertaken in the Alvaro-Cunqueiro Hospital, Vigo which included every individual who started daily emtricitabine/tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate (FTC/TDF) between November-2019 and October-2021. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained from the patient's medical records. The effectiveness and safety of FTC/TDF were assessed by HIV serology and renal function monitoring every 3 months. Anal, urethral, and oropharyngeal exudates were collected quarterly after the baseline visit.ResultsA total of 126 individuals were considered eligible, most of the participants had previously been diagnosed with a STI (60.3%), 22% had consumed recreational drugs in the year prior, and 13% had engaged in chemsex. At the end of the follow-up, no cases of HIV infection were detected; 3 patients had discontinued FTC/TDF because of side effects but none of them had presented renal toxicity. In addition, the diagnosis of STIs during the follow-up was common (100 cases in 54 patients). Moreover, engagement in chemsex was more common within this latter group (22 vs. 6%, p = 0.013). Among the study population included in the anal screening programme, the frequency of dysplasia was 9%.ConclusionsFTC/TDF was effective, safe, and tolerable in a real-life cohort; adherence remained high throughout the study period (79%). However, a high number of STIs were diagnosed, especially among patients who engaged in chemsex.

show abstract

Mental Health Symptoms Associated with Sexualized Drug Use (Chemsex) among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Systematic Review

Cited by 68 publications

References 92 publications

Risky Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Motivations, and Mental Health among Heterosexual Women and Men Who Practice Sexualized Drug Use in Spain

Risky Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Motivations, and Mental Health among Heterosexual Women and Men Who Practice Sexualized Drug Use in Spain

Chemsex, Identity and Sexual Health among Gay and Bisexual Men

Real-life cohort experience after implementing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for one year in northwest Spain

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About