Methamphetamine and sex

Methamphetamine (commonly known as "crystal meth," "crystal," or just "meth") is a strong stimulant often used recreationally as a party drug.

Among the effects reported by methamphetamine users is an increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods, and an inability to ejaculate or reach orgasm or physical release.

In addition to increasing the desire for sex and enabling the user to engage in marathon sex sessions, methamphetamine lowers inhibitions and may cause users to behave recklessly. According to a recent San Diego study, methamphetamine users often engage in unsafe sexual activities, and forget or choose not to use condoms. The study found that methamphetamine users were six times less likely to use condoms.

The urgency for sex combined with the inability to achieve release can result in tearing, chafing and trauma (such as rawness and friction sores) to the sex organs and the rectum and mouth, dramatically increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Methamphetamine also causes erectile dysfunction (sometimes called "crystal dick") due to its vasoconstrictive properties.

Methamphetamine and HIV
According to Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, "We have all sorts of levels of evidence ... and it's all pointing in the same direction: The crystal meth epidemic is playing an important role in increasing sexual risk behaviors, and that is leading to new HIV and STD infections."

In a 2001 study of HIV-positive men who use methamphetamine, 84% reported engaging in risky sexual behaviour; most tended not to disclose their HIV status to casual partners, and reported that, unless told otherwise, they assumed their sex partner(s) to be HIV-positive. Many participants reported a major increase in methamphetamine use after being diagnosed HIV-positive. Others reported using methamphetamine to deal with sources of emotional pain, such as social rejection and negative self-perceptions about being HIV-positive or memories of childhood abuse.

HIV-positive men who have unprotected sex with other HIV-positive men risk re-infection ("super-infection") or contracting more virulent and/or drug-resistant strains of the virus. According to some sources, some men who were assumed to be immune to HIV have seroconverted since starting to use methamphetamine. There are concerns that "aggressive" and difficult to treat forms of HIV may spread among methamphetamine users.

Some HIV-positive individuals are using methamphetamine to deal with chronic fatigue, to alleviate the side effects of their prescription medication, alleviate depression, and escape negative self-perceptions.

Some drugs used in the treatment of HIV inhibit the body’s ability to break down methamphetamine. Some users (especially heavy or longterm users) who are HIV-positive experience an increase in viral load (the amount of HIV in the body). Methamphetamine also contributes to the depletion of T-cell counts, prevents users from adhering to their drug regimens, contributes to the development of basal ganglia dysfunction (a type of dementia), and stimulates HIV replication in brain cells as much as fifteen-fold, according to an Ohio State University study.

In addition, methamphetamine use is immuno-suppressive due to the missed meals, vitamin depletion, weight loss and disrupted sleep that accompany binges.

In the summer of 2006, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) undertook a project to investigate the causes and extent of methamphetamine use among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), options for treating methamphetamine dependence, and how best to get methamphetamine-dependent gay men into appropriate treatment, as well as to explore other issues and controversies associated with these issues.