Centre for Social Research in Health
Exploring sexualised drug use among women and heterosexual men
Published on the 27 November 2025
Researchers at UNSW are conducting a study exploring the intentional use of drugs in combination with sex among cisgender women and heterosexual men in NSW. This includes the use of any recreational or non-prescribed drug, including illicit drugs, before or during sex, for example, to have better sex, to have longer sex, to assist sex or to have a different sexual experience.
The purpose of this research is to understand how women and heterosexual men think about, prepare for, engage in and protect themselves during sex on drugs. It will also identify opportunities for improving sexual and reproductive health promotion and care delivery so that they better align with the needs of this group.
Research Centre
Research Area
Health promotion | Hepatitis and Harm Reduction | HIV and Sexual Health | Sexuality, Health and Education
- Who is eligible
- What is involved
- Funding
- Contacts
You may be eligible to participate in this research if you meet the following criteria:
- You identify as a cisgender woman or heterosexual man.
- You have purposely used illicit and/or recreational (non-prescribed) drugs to facilitate, enhance and/or prolong sex in the last 12 months with more than one sexual partner (either through multiple sexual encounters or in the context of group sex).
- You can participate in an online interview in English.
- You currently live in NSW, Australia.
- You are over the age of 18 years.
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to take part in a confidential online interview at a time for your choosing that will take at most 90 minutes. You will be offered a pre-paid voucher to thank you for your time and contribution to the research.
You can download the full description of all research activities, including any risks, harms or discomforts that you may experience while participating in this research.
This study is funded by NSW Ministry of Health. You will not be identified in any research findings published or shared with NSW Ministry of Health.
This research is approved by the UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee (reference: iRECS10005).