Sexual and reproductive health behaviors of rural women who engage in sex while using methamphetamine

Research has shown that while using meth there is a higher likelihood of engaging in sex without a condom and having sex with multiple partners, behaviors that may lead to a higher risk of acquiring HIV and other STIs. Women use meth for a variety of reasons including to lower inhibitions and to increase energy, which often leads to prolonged and higher risk sexual activity. There is limited data on the contextual experiences of female meth users, specifically in regard to sexual function, genital pain and other consequences of prolonged sex such as vaginal bleeding and tearing, outcomes that could greatly contribute to STI/HIV acquisition. Working in collaboration with a rural community-based harm reduction outreach organization, women who had used meth in the past six months were recruited to complete a paper-based questionnaire on their experiences with sexual activity while high on meth. Using a validated scale on sexual function, women reported their perceptions of sex engaged in while using meth to sex that occurred without meth use. Participants also reported their sexual motivations, experiences of engaging in sex with multiple partners, and rated their concern about becoming pregnant or acquiring an STI. Rates of contraception and condom use, reasons for not using contraception, and experiences with genital pain are also reported. It is appears that women use meth in relation to sex for a variety of reasons. There is a need to better understand the influence of meth use on rural women's sexual and reproductive health behaviors.