The landscape of sexual health among men who have sex with men is complex: prevention tools such as PrEP and condoms coexist with persistent rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), while new patterns of drug use during sex add layers of risk. Public health authorities are inviting all men who have male sexual partners to complete an online questionnaire that takes about 20 minutes. The aim is to collect high-quality, anonymous data to adapt services and prevention programs.
This edition of the survey is part of an ongoing series repeated every two years since 2017. It is open to cisgender and transgender men, regardless of the label they use for their sexual orientation. The organisers stress strict anonymity for both the connection process and the analysis of answers: no response can be traced back to an individual, and participation is voluntary.
What the national survey seeks to learn
The questionnaire focuses on access to care, use of prevention tools, exposure to risk and patterns of psychoactive substance use. By recording detailed, anonymous accounts of testing practices, PrEP uptake, condom use and encounters linked to substances, the study aims to create an accurate picture of needs across diverse social and sexual profiles. Results will inform training for professionals and the design of prevention measures that reflect real-life behaviours.
Understanding chemsex: a public health challenge
Chemsex—the intentional use of psychoactive substances to enhance or prolong sexual activity—is an increasingly visible element of sexual cultures in many countries. Defined here as the use of drugs such as GHB, cathinones and crystal meth in sexual contexts, it can range from occasional recreational use to patterns that produce profound harms. Estimates suggest that in France tens of thousands of people participate in chemsex, and the phenomenon brings both immediate and long-term health consequences.
Drugs, harm and addiction
For many people, the turning point between recreational use and a health problem is the loss of control: when drug use begins to disrupt work, relationships and basic functioning, medical help is needed. Specific substances carry distinctive dangers—for example, GHB and similar compounds have an overdose risk—and combinations of drugs with alcohol or other medications raise the stakes. Addiction in this context is linked to repeated inability to stop despite harm, and may require targeted therapeutic responses.
Social drivers and the role of apps
Several social forces feed the spread of chemsex. Digital platforms have shifted many encounters from public spaces to private, commercialised interfaces, changing how people meet and reducing spontaneous community contact. Pressure to conform to visual and sexual performance norms—amplified by social media—can push some men toward drug-supported experiences in search of confidence, endurance or a certain aesthetic. The market around synthetic substances also evolves rapidly, with new compounds produced and sold online, sometimes avoiding national controls and complicating regulation.
Why participation matters and what to expect
Every respondent helps build a more complete map of behaviours and needs. Higher participation increases the ability of health authorities to design appropriate interventions, from targeted testing campaigns to mental health and addiction support. The survey organisers will publish the first results by the end of 2026 on the public health website, making the aggregated insights available to community groups, clinicians and policymakers.
Completing the questionnaire is an act of civic health contribution: it is anonymous, inclusive of all men who have sex with men, and intended to produce evidence that can reduce stigma and improve prevention. Beyond law enforcement, the public health response can include harm reduction, access to care and trained professionals who understand both sexual cultures and substance-related risks. Sharing the survey link within networks increases representativeness and helps ensure that interventions reflect the full diversity of experiences.
Practical notes and ethical safeguards
The study is online and designed to protect confidentiality at every step. Participation is open to adults who report male sexual partners, whatever their self-described orientation. The organisers emphasise that the questionnaire cannot identify individuals and that data will be processed in aggregate. If you are concerned about your own use of substances in sexual contexts or about other harms, the survey also helps point to services and resources by clarifying where needs are greatest.
Taking part is simple, anonymous and impactful: by spending twenty minutes to complete the survey you help shape health services, prevention campaigns and professional training aimed at reducing infections, preventing harm related to chemsex, and improving sexual wellbeing for all men who have sex with men.