Shock data reveals how cocaine affects your sex life

Australian Federal Police have revealed a little-known health hazard associated with cocaine use that affects men and women as they try to stop illicit drug use.

Cocaine use damages fertility in men and women and can make it difficult to start a family.

The little-known health hazard associated with cocaine use is being highlighted in an unusual campaign by the Australian Federal Police, who are using Halloween to “highlight the real horror of illicit drugs use.’’

The campaign warns that using cocaine damages men’s ability to produce sperm, and disrupts women’s ovulation cycles.

The edgy social media campaign Have a Conscience highlights the dangers of using methamphetamine (ice) and heroin, but focuses on cocaine, which is wrongly seen as a party drug favoured by Instagram influencers and footballers.

AFP Eastern Commander of Investigations Kirsty Schofield said there was a false perception that cocaine was a safe drug.

“It is time that we end the myth about cocaine. It is a dangerous drug,’’ Commander Schofield said.

“While cocaine use can damage organs, cause nose deformity and potentially bowel gangrene, many people do not realise chronic cocaine use can lower sperm count.

“In women, it can alter the menstrual cycle and adversely affect ovulation.”

She said cocaine was also associated with significant adverse health and psychiatric effects, including seizures, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, psychosis, suicidal ideation, coronary artery disease, sudden cardiac death, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and impaired sexual function.

More than four tonnes of cocaine was seized by the AFP in the past financial year.

AFP’s Eastern Command Kirsty Schofield. Picture: Richard Dobson

Associate Professor Anusch Yazdami.

Associate Professor Anusch Yazdami, the medical director of the Queensland Fertility Group, said medical professionals were seeing more clients with drug-related fertility problems.

“Half a decade or a decade ago it was much less commonly seen,’’ Assoc. Prof. Yazdami said.

He said the demographic taking cocaine tended to be younger people who “saw themselves as invincible’’ and were more focused on contraception than fertility.

However, by the time they reached their 30s, fertility was becoming an issue.

Assoc Prof Yazdami said cocaine use by men altered the way hormones affected their testicles to produce sperm, resulting in a reduced sperm count. In women, it affected ovulation.

“It has exactly the same impact on women although we see the impact a little bit earlier,’’ he said.

“Ovulation goes off much quicker.’’

In both genders, cocaine use was also associated with other lifestyle choices which could also affect fertility.

Assoc Prof Yazdami said the greater the drug use, the greater the impact on a person’s fertility.