The rise of chemsex: Once a niche of the gay scene, TRACEY COX reveals why straight women are indulging in drug-fuelled sex parties - despite extreme danger

Once a place where mainly gay men let loose, straight women and heterosexual are couples are now muscling in on the action of chemsex parties. Taking part behind closed doors at an alarming rate across London, a chemsex party is one where drugs like MDMA, GHB, ketamine or methamphetamine are taken to lower inhibitions and enhance sex.

If it's a casual, impromptu invitation, you and like-minded friends will go back to a private place, take drugs and then have sex with each other. If it's a larger, organised event you'll find beds set up and condoms and lube provided when you arrive at the venue.

While attendees say it an lead to euphoric highs and incredible sex, experts have issued warnings over the alarming scale of linked deaths. According to figures seen by MailOnline, chemsex — particularly popular among gay men but also with some heterosexuals — is believed to be responsible for three deaths every month in London alone.

But, those close to the community affected say the true death toll is likely to be far higher, given there is no data tracking exactly how many fatalities are linked to chemsex-related harms. The real figure is believed to stand closer to 1,000 deaths in just a decade.

The fall-out from such parties can destroy lives, last week MailOnline reported on how celebrity lawyer Henry Hendron's life spiralled after waking up next to his dead 18-year-old boyfriend following a drug-fuelled chemsex party. Once a place where mainly gay men let loose, straight women and heterosexual are couples are now muscling in on the action of chemsex parties. TRACEY COX explores.

So why then are straight couples - and in particular women - starting to experiment with drug-enhanced sex?. The increase in women heading to chem sex parties certainly marks a shift in how straight women are exploring their sexuality, but this particular trend comes with a huge warning.

Read on to find out what happens, and why these parties can be an extremely dangerous form of experimentation. WHAT HAPPENS AT A CHEM SEX PARTY?. Last week, the Mail's story on a former nursery worker who got involved in wild chemsex parties – gatherings where drug use and sexual exploration intersect - went viral.

There's a reason why: the chemsex party scene has evolved. Generally, they start off like any party: there's music playing and everyone has a few drinks and socialises. You'll either bring your own or be provided with the drugs. Most of the straight women I spoke to said they'd taken MDMA (or ecstasy), ketamine or cocaine.

Gay chem sex parties often have GHB and mephedrone (meow meow) also on offer. Mephedrone is snorted like cocaine and, like ecstasy, causes euphoria. Once the drugs kick in, the sex starts. It might be one-on-one and between established couples or sex with strangers or group sex.

The increase in women heading to chem sex parties marks an intriguing shift in how straight women are exploring their sexuality and breaking from traditional sexual narratives. Like the one that says that women are 'naturally' monogamous, don't really enjoy sex and aren't interested in experimenting (stock image).

Experimentation and exploration are encouraged with some people having multiple partners and enjoying lots of different sex acts. Some organised events have 'house rules' (you must use condoms etc) but most are more fluid with an atmosphere of anything goes. Drugs are consumed throughout – sometimes with lines of powder sprinkled on genitals or body parts that are then licked off.

Because MDMA and other drugs promote feeling overwhelming love as well as lust, they can end in what's sometimes called a 'cuddle puddle'. WHAT'S THE APPEAL?. All the issues lots of women struggle with around sex can appear to magically disappear once you add drugs like ecstasy into the mix.

Drugs increase desire and for lots of women who struggle to 'get in the mood' – particularly in long-term relationships – this is a huge motivator. It's also the reason why lots of long-term couples who go to chemsex parties end up taking drugs like MDMA when home alone as well.

Some people say stops sex from becoming boring. A lot of women find the type of sex on offer in a long-term relationship uninspiring. What their lover lacks in ingenuity, drugs can provide. '. Judging by the responses I got, chem sex parties are on the rise.

There was no shortage of responses: here's what people told me. I went with my boyfriend and I loved it. 'We had hours of sex in every position – the next day our legs, knees and hands were shredded. 'Not to mention other parts. Having other people there watching us and also having sex just added to the hotness of it all.'.

It made me do things I later regretted. 'I am straight but started kissing the female friend I'd brought and playing with her breasts. 'We stopped but it freaked both of us out and the friendship hasn't been the same since. 'We're both love sex – that's why we went to the party – but only straight sex.'.