Sexual Health Week: A Vital Conversation in Women’s Wellness

When we talk about wellness, we often think about exercise, nutrition, and mental health–but sexual health is just as essential. As we recognize Sexual Health Week, held this year from September 15 to 21, mainly in the UK, it’s the perfect time to highlight how sexual wellness plays a lifelong role in women’s health–from adolescence through menopause and beyond.

Sexual Health Is Total Health

Sexual health isn’t just about STI prevention or contraception–it’s about feeling informed, safe, and empowered in your own body. It encompasses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of our lives, influencing how we connect to ourselves and others. Whether you’re navigating puberty, managing PCOS or endometriosis, or adjusting to the changes of perimenopause and menopause, understanding your body is key to advocating for your health.

While more and more women are speaking up about these issues, be wary of learning all your information from social media. It’s easy to slap on fake or exaggerated certifications to spread misinformation or hawk at best useless at worst actually harmful supplements. When it comes to your health, sexual or not, finding well researched books, a knowledgeable doctor, and having a solid support system of women is key.

Respect, Safety, and Freedom this Sexual Health Week

True wellness includes freedom from shame, judgment, and abuse. A respectful environment–whether with partners, healthcare providers, or society at large–is essential for healthy sexual expression. Every woman deserves access to accurate information and the freedom to explore her needs in a way that feels safe and supported.

Understanding that abuse and coercion rarely looks black or white and can often be murky is important when looking for the signs of it. Be willing to trust your gut and acknowledge that if something feels not right, you shouldn’t ignore that feeling. In the 1997 bestseller The Gift of Fear, the author de Becker implores us to listen to our gut when it tells you something is off.

Also be aware that this isn’t just a woman’s issue. Young men need to be included in these conversations so they can know how their actions affect their partners and how to be more in tune with their emotions as well. While Sexual Health Week was created with women in mind, the more we include all genders and indentities, the more balance we can achieve in truth.

Daily Practices for Sexual Wellness

Women’s sexual health is part of everyday self-care. Start with the basics:

• Invest in quality underwear made from breathable, natural fabrics to support vaginal health.
• Kegel exercises can strengthen the pelvic floor, supporting bladder control, core stability, and enhanced intimacy.
• Be attentive to your vaginal microbiome–gentle cleansing, hydration, and regular check-ins with your doctor are all part of a balanced wellness routine.

A Lifelong Conversation

Sexual wellness isn’t a one-time topic–it evolves through each stage of life. By fostering open dialogue and prioritizing self-care, we make space for every woman to thrive in her own unique experience. This Sexual Health Week, let’s commit to normalizing these conversations and supporting holistic wellness for all.

Explore more self-care and wellness resources at Spafinder.com–because every part of you deserves care.