Fund research into desexed language in women’s health

We have observed words like “girls,” “women,” “mothers” and “breastfeeding” being replaced or added to with terms like “people with a cervix”, “birthing people” and “chestfeeding” (desexed language).

It seems these changes have been made without research to determine impact, if they are understood or acceptable.

We don’t know how many women misunderstand desexed language or are more confused about their body because of it. We don’t know how many reject messages with desexed language or whose health is harmed. We don’t know the impact on women with low English skills, education, or health knowledge. We urge the Government to fund research on the impact of desexed language in women’s health and how to best communicate with our diverse population of women, including those with special language needs.

The NHS is for everyone. It is founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS know the importance of using accurate and factual language in relation to biological sex as part of health communications, and our longstanding position is that language used should appropriately reflect sex as defined as a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010.

While speaking in plain English ensures clarity for patients, there will be occasions when NHS service providers want to specifically acknowledge patients with differing characteristics, including the transgender community. This may mean that trusts and other providers decide to use additive language (such as “women and transgender men”) to ensure health communications reach the largest audience. DHSC will continue to work with NHS England to ensure that language used continues to find the right balance. Regarding research, DHSC, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), funds a range of research to boost health outcomes for all women and girls. We committed £52.2 million in 2024/25 for new research awards to support the health of women. This includes research into conditions that are unique to women, such as endometriosis, and health topics that are relevant to women, such as violence and abuse.

In April 2026, the NIHR also launched a call for research into how best to improve communication around women’s health across the life course, particularly in underserved or marginalised communities. More information is available at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/womens-health-communication/2026379