<p>Sex work constitutes a complex social, legal, and health-related phenomenon, encompassing a wide spectrum of sexual services provided in exchange for financial or non-material benefits. This article presents a narrative review aimed at synthesizing current knowledge on the determinants and consequences of sex work, with particular emphasis on its social, legal, and health dimensions. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases and included publications published between 2000 and 2025 in Polish and English. A total of 57 publications were included in the final analysis, encompassing review articles, empirical studies, and institutional reports. The review addresses both traditional and contemporary forms of sex work. The analysis indicates that motivations for engaging in sex work are heterogeneous and primarily involve economic factors, alongside psychological, social, and cultural determinants. Differences in the prevalence, social perception, and health-related consequences of sex work are closely associated with prevailing legal frameworks, ranging from full criminalization to decriminalization and legalization. The reviewed literature suggests that individuals engaged in sex work are disproportionately exposed to health-related risks, including sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems, and the negative effects of social stigmatization. Moreover, repressive legal approaches may exacerbate these risks, whereas models based on decriminalization and institutional support are more frequently associated with improved safety, access to healthcare, and legal protection. The findings underscore the need for further interdisciplinary research and evidence-based legal and public health approaches that adequately reflect the complexity of sex work and its broader social and health determinants.</p>