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Drugs & sexual health
What happens when you take drugs and have sex or take drugs during pregnancy.
Drugs and sex
If you are drunk or high it is much more difficult to make good decisions and you will probably not be prepared for safer sex (for example by carrying or using a condom).
The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships in 2008 showed that over one-quarter of men (27.4%) and 16.5% of women said that they or their partner had been drinking alcohol or taking drugs at the time of first sex. (See the full report from the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Department of Health and Children.)
Drugs and pregnancy
The expectant mother needs good medical care for herself while she's pregnant. This helps to keep the mother and baby healthy. Drug use in pregnancy can increase the chance of having problems during pregnancy or with the newborn child. This depends on what drug is being used and how much/how often. For women who use drugs during pregnancy in general, irrespective of the drug used, and also in poor social circumstances there can be some very real risks.
Find out about alcohol and pregnancy
Find out about smoking and pregnancy
Opiates and pregnancy
Opiate dependent women are likely to experience complications during pregnancy. The most common medical problems are anaemia, cardiac disease, diabetes, pneumonia, and hepatitis. They also have an abnormally high rate of spontaneous abortion, breech delivery, caesarean section and premature birth. Infants born to women who take/misuse heroin are smaller than average and frequently show evidence of acute infection. Most of these infants exhibit withdrawal symptoms of varying degrees and duration. The mortality rate among these infants is higher that normal.
Cannabis and pregnancy
Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may result in premature babies and low birth weights. Studies on men and women have shown a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence; a period of rapid physical and sexual development.
Sedatives and pregnancy
Babies born to mothers who misuse sedatives during their pregnancy may be physically dependent on the drugs and show withdrawal symptoms shortly after they are born. These symptoms may include: breathing problems, feeding difficulties, disturbed sleep, sweating, irritability and fever.
Caffeine and pregnancy
Caffeine certainly has the ability to cause a variety of reproductive problems in animals, including congenital abnormalities and infertility, reduced fertility, prematurity and low birth weight. It is not fully known how caffeine affects women during pregnancy, but safe advice is that pregnant women should cut down on their caffeine intake as much as possible - including tea, coffee and minerals loaded with caffeine.
Hallucinogens and pregnancy
LSD use by pregnant women appears to be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Research also suggests it may be linked to a higher incidence of congenital abnormalities among their babies.
Drug abuse and Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an acute illness caused by a virus. It results in an inflammation of the liver. The virus is spread via blood, saliva, bodily excretions, by sexual contact and through shared needles and syringes.
Drug Abuse, HIV and AIDS
The sharing of needles and syringes also increases the risk of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection and the development of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the body's immune system and by damaging or destroying the body's ability to various infections and disease, makes an individual vulnerable to various infections and forms of cancer which are invariably fatal.
HIV infection is spread by:
- Sharing injection needles with an infected person or
- Through heterosexual or homosexual intercourse with an infected person. Contraception therefore is essential.
- From an infected mother to her baby or
- Through the use of blood and blood products from an infected person.
Intravenous drug abuse is a particularly high risk activity because the virus can be transmitted through infected needles, syringes, bowls or containers used to dissolve drugs and other injection.
For support contact:
Drugs/ HIV Helpline
Tel: 1800 459 459 (Freephone)
Offers support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to drug and alcohol use and/or HIV and sexual health.
Content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors.
