Sexual Health Week 2026: Let’s Connect

Sep 14, 2026 Condoms and Sexual Health

Taking care of your sexual health is an essential part of your overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether you are in a long-term relationship, navigating the dating scene, or taking time to understand your own body, staying informed and supported helps you make choices that feel right for you.

Running from the 14th to the 20th of September 2026, Sexual Health Week 2026 offers a dedicated time across the UK to discuss relationships, safety, and wellness without embarrassment or stigma.

What Is Sexual Health Week 2026 About?

Organised annually by the sexual health charity Brook, Sexual Health Week shines a spotlight on key issues surrounding intimacy, education, and healthcare access.

The official theme for 2026 is “Let’s Connect.” This campaign focuses on building meaningful connections across all areas of our lives, whether platonic, romantic, or sexual. It emphasises the importance of open communication between partners, reconnecting with our own physical needs and desires, and breaking down the health inequalities and social stigmas that can stop people from seeking confidential care.

Connection, Communication and Consent

At its core, "Let's Connect" highlights that positive sexual experiences start long before any physical intimacy takes place. Clear communication and full consent are the foundations of any healthy relationship.

• Communicating Needs: Talking openly with a partner about what you like, what you dislike, and your boundaries helps keep intimacy comfortable and pleasurable for everyone involved.
• Understanding Consent: Consent should always be voluntary, ongoing, and clearly given. You or your partner can change your mind at any moment without pressure.
• Reconnecting with Your Body: Sexual wellness also includes your solo relationship with yourself. Stress, fatigue, and busy schedules can make it difficult to feel connected to your own physical needs. Daily wellness routines or gentle supplements designed for sexual vitality, such as HANX Desire Dust, can support natural energy, mood balance, and body connection as part of a holistic approach to self-care.

 

Advice For Students: Freshers’ Week and Looking After Your Sexual Health

Sexual Health Week coincides with the start of the academic year for thousands of university students across the UK. Freshers' Week is an exciting time filled with meeting new people, establishing independence, and enjoying new social opportunities. However, these often sudden freedoms can sometimes mean sexual safety takes a back seat.

Staying safe while enjoying university life doesn't mean compromising on fun:

• Pack the Essentials: Keep reliable contraception and protection easily accessible in your room or bag before going out.
• Know Your Limits: Alcohol and other substances can impair judgement and make clear communication or consent more challenging. Look out for your friends when socialising.
• Register with a Local GP: If you have moved away from home for university, register with a local GP or locate your nearest community sexual health clinic early on so you know where to go if you ever need advice or routine testing.

Students can also access savings on healthcare essentials through our online pharmacy student discount.

Safer Sex: Condoms, Lubricant and STI Prevention

Practising safer sex is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your partners from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.

Using Condoms Correctly

Barrier methods remain the frontline defence for sexual health. High-quality options, such as HANX Condoms, offer ultra-thin, vegan latex protection designed to feel natural without compromising on safety. Browse our full condoms category to find the right fit and style for your needs.

It is important to remember that while condoms significantly reduce the transmission of most STIs (including HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea), they do not offer 100% protection against infections that spread through skin-to-skin contact, such as genital herpes or human papillomavirus (HPV), if lesions are present outside the covered area.

The Benefits of Lubricant

Using a quality, water-based product like HANX Lubricant reduces friction, prevents condom breakage, and enhances comfort for both partners. Again, avoid using oil-based substances (like petroleum jelly or body lotions) with latex condoms, as oil weakens latex and causes it to tear.

When to Seek Sexual Health Advice or Treatment

Many STIs do not show noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular testing is a routine, responsible part of being sexually active, especially when changing partners.

According to NHS Sexual Health Guidance, you should seek clinical assessment or testing if you notice any of the following:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus
• Pain, burning, or stinging when passing urine
• Unexplained blisters, sores, lumps, or rashes around your genitals or anus
• Irritation, severe itching, or unusual swelling
• Unexpected bleeding between periods or after sex

If you experience symptoms or require guidance, confidential help is readily available. At Simply Meds Online, our comprehensive  Sexual Health Category offers discreet access to advice and treatments for common conditions, including:

• Infections and Thrush: Targeted treatments to clear fungal or bacterial imbalance safely.
• Genital Herpes: Antiviral therapies to help manage and relieve flare-ups.
• Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation: Discreet prescription options to help restore physical confidence and performance.
• Contraception: Access to regular and emergency contraception options.

 

For information about safe sex products, visit our Sexual Health blogs. For emergency contraception sent directly to your door, visit our prescription treatment section. All of our private and NHS prescriptions and over-the-counter products are shipped swiftly and discreetly.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Health

How can I look after my sexual health?

You can look after your sexual health by using condoms during intercourse, getting tested regularly for STIs, communicating openly with partners about consent and boundaries, and seeking medical guidance promptly if you notice unusual symptoms.

Do condoms protect against all STIs?

Condoms provide excellent protection against most STIs transmitted through bodily fluids, such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea. However, they offer less protection against infections transmitted via direct skin-to-skin contact (such as genital herpes, syphilis, or HPV) if the sores or affected skin fall outside the area covered by the condom.

Can you have an STI without symptoms?

Yes. Many common STIs, particularly chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and early-stage HIV, frequently cause no visible symptoms at all. You can still pass an asymptomatic infection to a partner, which is why routine testing between new partners is essential.

What should I do after unprotected sex?

If you have had unprotected sex or experienced a condom failure, consider your risks and take action promptly. You can access emergency contraception through pharmacies or sexual health clinics to prevent unplanned pregnancy. If you suspect exposure to an STI or HIV, visit a sexual health clinic or A&E as soon as possible to discuss Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

What lubricants can I use safely with condoms?

When choosing a lubricant, use a silicone-based or water-based product, as they are completely safe to use with latex and polyisoprene condoms. Avoid lubricants that are oil-based (such as baby oil and massage oils) because oil degrades latex rapidly, increasing the risk of the condom splitting or tearing.

How often should I get an STI test?

You should get an STI test annually if you are sexually active, or every time you change sexual partners. Higher-risk individuals or those with multiple concurrent partners should consider testing every 3 to 6 months.

 

This information is for guidance and does not replace the advice given by your GP or a sexual health practitioner. If you are unsure about symptoms or any health concerns, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.