Health professionals are sounding the alarm over a predicted spike in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) following the festive season, with a concerning new trend exacerbating the risk. A major survey has revealed that a significant portion of the UK population is turning to artificial intelligence for guidance on intimate health matters, a practice doctors warn is fraught with danger.
AI Chatbots: A Risky Source for Sexual Health Information
The study, released on Friday 19 December 2025, uncovered that two in five (38%) people in the UK aged over 16 have used AI chatbots to seek advice about sexual health. The trend is particularly pronounced among millennials and men. This comes alongside retail data pointing to a marked increase in demand for treatments like chlamydia in early January, signalling a clear seasonal pattern in infections.
While some responses from popular platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini were accurate, the research highlighted a critical flaw: the AI often provided incomplete or misleading information for serious conditions. Specific examples included queries about chlamydia and bacterial vaginosis, where the chatbots failed to give comprehensive or entirely correct guidance, potentially leaving users unaware of the severity of their symptoms or the necessary steps for treatment.
Medical Professionals Urge Public to Seek Verified Help
Dr Zara Haider, among other medical experts, has issued a stark warning about the risks of relying on AI for sexual health concerns. The dangers identified include misinterpretation of symptoms, false reassurance, and dangerous delays in seeking proper medical care. "These tools are not clinicians," Dr Haider emphasised. "They lack the nuance, context, and clinical judgement required for accurate diagnosis and safe advice."
This warning is echoed by both the NHS and leading AI companies. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, explicitly states that its chatbot is not a substitute for a qualified doctor. The position is clear: AI should never replace trusted, clinically verified sources of health information. The NHS website, GP services, and sexual health clinics remain the only recommended ports of call for personal medical advice.
The Looming Post-Christmas Health Challenge
The combination of increased social activity over the holidays and the reliance on unverified AI sources creates a perfect storm for a public health issue. Experts are urging caution and awareness as the new year begins. The message is unambiguous: for any sexual health concerns, direct consultation with a healthcare professional is non-negotiable. Self-diagnosis via chatbot not only risks individual health but could contribute to wider STI transmission if conditions are left untreated or mismanaged.
As the data predicts a surge, the advice from the medical community is simple and urgent: ignore the AI and talk to a human expert. Protecting public health requires information from sources that are accountable, trained, and regulated—qualities no current AI possesses.
