‘Chemsex’

• Chemsex refers to the use of drugs, including ecstasy, GHB, cocaine and methamphetamine, by Males who have Sex with Males (MSM) and transgenders with the specific intention to perform sexual activities due to the drugs’ facilitating influence on sexual performance and experience. Chemsex is predominantly situated in a private setting. Multiple routes of drug administration are applied, including ‘slamming’ and ‘bootybumping’.
• Chemsex is associated with increased sexual risk behaviour, an increased risk of contracting a sexual transmitted bacterial disease or hepatitis-c infection and impaired mental health, in addition to the health risks of drugs use in general.
• Some MSM have a need for discussing chemsex-related issues, but experience hurdles when seeking professional help due to shame, fear of judgement and the perception of insufficient expertise in healthcare professionals.
• Healthcare professionals are often unaware of chemsex and report the need for additional knowledge and training.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.