Party Vibe

Sex and Drugs

Lots of drugs have been linked to sexual performance. Viagra is one of the most recent performance-enhancing potions that’s grabbed the headlines and the attention of men who experience impotence.

And most of the sex that’s performed under the influence of something is performed under the influence of something that hasn’t been prescribed…

…and different drugs will have different effects, and different risks…

So I thought it might be interesting just to run through some of the common effects of drugs on sexual function. Although, of course, it’s important to note that with all of this, your mileage may vary. We’re talking about varying amounts of drugs of varying purity taken by people with varying levels of tolerance, different expectations and familiarity, in different contexts, with all the various and varying interpretations and combinations of human sexuality. That’s a lot of variables, in anyone’s book.

2 AM syndrome, or the ‘poor choice of sexual partner’ effect

It isn’t that long since thousands of ‘night clubs’ and ‘discos’ up and down the UK were absolutely convinced that the essential music policy for a good night out finishing at 2AM required that the final three choons in the box be slow, smoochy numbers for couples to smooch slowly round the dance floor to, smoochily. Or disappear down each other’s throats in a darkened corner, somewhere. These were also the sort of clubs that demanded a ‘smart, casual’ door policy, sure, and had a discreet notice saying ‘no trainers’ hidden behind the steroid-enhanced monosyllabic door supervisor, maybe. However, the important thing here is nothing to do with any of this. The important thing is the just-before-2AM rush to find someone ‘suitable’, a game thoroughly enjoyed by all of the up-for-it clubbers of the evening which is played out to this day (although the choons, dress and time of day may have changed slightly). No big deal. I just want to get laid. Where’s the harm in that, then?

Regardless of drug, criteria for ‘suitability’ can rapidly become less important, in a directly inverse relationship to the quantity of drug consumed. The more you take, the less you care. No big shakes. Except of course that it can’t last forever, and you’ve got to live with yourself after this experience. And your mates, who will thoroughly enjoy themselves for far too long having a laugh at your expense. Bastards.

7 AM syndrome, or the ‘huh? where am I? wtf is that? Oh shit, what did I do?’ effect

An almost inevitable conclusion to the 2AM syndrome when combined with vast quantities of alcohol. At best, you wake up with your face squashed up against a cold doner kebab that somehow got stuck under the pillow, half your clothes on and enough cash left in your pocket to get a bus/tube/taxi home.

If you really can’t remember what you got up to you might have exposed yourself to all sorts of risks that you wouldn’t normally take. Risks that might expose you to sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

‘hard as marshmallow’

Some drugs will just prevent you from having any of the kinds of sex with a man that require him to be hard. There are lots of kinds of sex that don’t require a great big stiffy, and there are some for which stiffness is definitely a prerequisite. Too much alcohol will definitely get in the way. For some men, at some times, using ecstasy will be enough to turn him to jelly. Like putty in your hands, so to speak.

Another popular stimulant, amphetamine will have similar effects, sometimes. Both of these drugs can also cause the ‘walnut whip’ effect. A sudden shrinking to minimalist proportions. Scary, if unexpected. And no amount of gentle coaxing will have any effect at all. Or any other kind of coaxing.

I’d really rather have a cup of tea, thanks

Regular use of heroin or alcohol will definitely put your libido on hold. So will some prescribed medication, including some anti-depressants, tranquillisers and sedatives. Whilst abstaining from sex might present few sexual health risks, it can put a strain on relationships with regular sexual partners.

Where am I?

The ‘where am I’ effect is another variation of the 7AM effect, the main difference being that you don’t have to sleep first to have the experience. You notice that the drugs are having less of an effect, edge back towards a more ordinary experience of reality, and notice that you’re in a strange bed, in a strange room, in a strange flat doing some very intimate things with someone you vaguely remember meeting earlier, somewhere.

Some people are of course fine with this. It’s all part of a fun night out, and what it’s all about.

Other people are suddenly overcome with shame, guilt, horror and the realisation that, yes, they’ve just had another one-night-stand of good drugs and bad sex. And they’re not sure whether they used a condom. Or exactly where they are. Or how they’re going to get home.

The ‘where am I’ moment is often followed by several days of occasional soul-searching about the meaning of sexual relationships in the twenty-first century and reminders that you don’t want to do that again. Ever.

Oooh. Ouch. Oooh. Aaah

Some drugs inhibit male orgasm and ejaculation. “Wa-hey!” you might think. “Sounds OK!” If you’re into all-day-all-night next-morning hours and hours of sex then this could be right up your alley, so to speak.

Your body, however, was not designed for the experience.

If you’re with a man who’s going to be using stimulants like amphetamine (speed) or ecstasy and having penetrative sex with you, make sure you’ve plenty of lube to hand to help to reduce the friction in your intimate relationship.

You’ll need more than one condom, too. You’ll be testing them to destruction. When you’re choosing a lubricant, avoid oil-based products like vaseline or baby oil – they’ll damage the condom by dissolving the latex that it’s made of.

Sexual health

Using drugs can increase your exposure to risk in many contexts, and sexual health is just one context.

The most obvious risk is receiving a sexually transmitted infection.

You go to a bar, have a few drinks, meet some people, go somewhere later, end up getting intimate with someone(s)…and unless you plan for it, you can easily find yourself really into the idea of sex, without a condom to hand.

Not that you’d normally have unprotected sex, but what do you do?

If you’re already a little out of it, your willingness to decline the generous offer may be – well – lessened.

If you want to find out more about sexual health, visit the health advisor. If you are sexually active and want to prevent infection (doh! errr….no? really?) then the most effective method is to always use a condom.

If you have taken a risk and are concerned about you health you can visit a Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic in confidence, without telling your GP. Some infections will have few symptoms, but can still be passed on to sexual partners. Most infections can be treated relatively easily.

HIV

One infection that has caused massive damage in some parts of the world is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus – HIV – the virus that can lead to the development of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.

HIV and AIDS affect all of us. In the UK the population in which HIV is now spreading most quickly is the heterosexual population aged less than 25. Although drugs can help some infected people to manage the infection and prevent the development of AIDS, treatment doesn’t work for everybody and there isn’t yet any ‘cure’.

HIV is a virus that affects the immune system of the human body. Someone who has been infected by HIV may appear and feel healthy, but they can pass the infection on to others.

What is AIDS ?

People who have been infected by HIV are prone to other infections – their body’s natural defence system is weakened. Sometimes a mild illness can become more serious or an infected person may develop an illness that is usually rare. Contracting several of these opportunistic infections (or one of a number of specific infections) in the presence of HIV is the reason for a diagnosis of AIDS.

How do people get HIV?

HIV is passed between people in three main ways:

Through unprotected sex with an infected person. ‘Unprotected’ means that there is an exchange of body fluids. ‘Sex’ might be with someone of the opposite sex or the same sex, and might include vaginal, anal or oral sex.

By sharing injecting equipment with an infected person. ‘Injecting equipment’ includes needles, syringes, water, spoon, filter – anything that may have had any contact with blood of the other person. HIV doesn’t discriminate between the substances that are being injected – steroid users and heroin users share the same level of risk.

From an infected mother to her baby. The risk of this ‘vertical transmission’ is about 1 in 4 without treatment. The risk can be reduced to about 1 in 100 with the current (Dec 2000) drug treatments that are available to HIV positive pregnant women as part of their ante-natal care.

Keeping healthy

…and there are lots of other infections that are even more common. Syphilis and gonorrhea can be treated, and don’t need to be life-threatening. That doesn’t make them ‘fun’. Chlamydia and genital warts have been linked to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women, and may be a contributory factor in the development of cancer of the cervix.

The most effective way to prevent the transmission of any sexually transmitted infection is to always use a condom (or other barrier device) for any kind of sex where body fluids might otherwise be exchanged. If you use any kind of sex toys, always clean them before sharing them.

There is also a risk that blood-borne viruses like HIV can be transmitted by sharing a razor, toothbrush or anything else that might carry traces of blood or other body fluids. For you own peace of mind, don’t share.