Sexual Health Week – 15 – 21 September 2025

This week is Sexual Health Week – an annual campaign in the UK in September. It spotlights the importance of prioritising our sexual health, just as we do with other aspects of our well-being. Y’know, regular check-ups, HIV and STI testing, as well as stuff like consent, and pleasure. Talking about sex can still feel awkward, and many folks lack essential knowledge about safe practices. So the goal is to de-stigmatise sex, while empowering people to navigate the world of sex confidently, both off and online.

Everyone deserves a healthy, fulfilling sex life without judgement, right? Well, this week champions this notion! It invites us all to join the conversation. To foster informed decision-making about our bodies and choices. And to help ensure that sexual health information is easily accessible to all. Sexual Health Week is observed from the second full Monday to Sunday in September. As part of National Sexual Health Awareness Week, we are highlighting the importance of treating our sexual health as seriously as we would any other aspect of our health, including regular check ups, testing for H.I.V. and sexually transmitted infections (S.T.Is), and raising awareness about issues related to healthy relationships. Talking about sex can be quite embarrassing and even with advancements made to reduce the stigma, there is still some stigma attached to sex. Also, some people don’t have enough knowledge about safe sex practices..

For many of us, digital technology has become a familiar part of how we navigate relationships and manage our wellbeing. Apps are often the default when it comes to dating, and when we need an STI test, we’re just as likely to go online as we are to visit a clinic. 

But the recent rapid advances in AI are raising new questions about the future of sexual health and relationships. How do we make sense of what’s real and what’s not in a world of deepfakes and ChatGPT romances? To what extent are social media algorithms shaping public perceptions of contraception and reinforcing gender stereotypes? And how can AI be used effectively to improve sexual health services? 

That’s why, for Sexual Health Week 2025, we’re logging on to explore how being Chronically Online is influencing our attitudes and behaviours around sex and relationships. The theme ‘Chronically Online’ is led nationally by Brook, encouraging honest conversations about the pressures and possibilities of digital life – from sexting and self-esteem to porn, boundaries and healthy relationships.