Do we need to replace the word 'Hysterectomy' with Nicky Denson-Elliot episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 18, 2026 · 46 MIN

Do we need to replace the word 'Hysterectomy' with Nicky Denson-Elliot

from WomenKind Collective

Link to Pre Order: Tackling Gender Bias in The Healthcare System. What Patient stories Teach Us About Implementing Systemic Change: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tackling-Gender-Bias-Healthcare-System/dp/1805018817This week we are Spilling The Tea with Nicky Denson-Elliott, a professional feminist, community builder, award-winning podcaster, and the woman asking a question that, once you hear it, you can't unhear it.We're talking about the word hysterectomy, a word one in five people don't even realise means the removal of the uterus. A word rooted in "hysteria," a diagnosis used for centuries to dismiss and pathologise women, only struck from medical record books in 1980.Nicky had a hysterectomy herself this year, and it crystallised something she'd already been thinking about as a feminist campaigner. She's now petitioning NHS England to retire the word "hysterectomy" in favour of uterectomy, clearer, more accurate, and free of centuries of baggage.Today we're talking medical misogyny, language, and why the words used for our bodies matter more than we think. We ask her about the petition and the moment that made her think "this word has to change"; how living through her own hysterectomy this year sharpened her view on the language; the real history connecting "hysterectomy" and "hysteria," and whether people actually know it; why a procedure that around one in five UK women will have has never had its language challenged before now; how she's finding getting the petition out there given the algorithm's treatment of women's health content (following our chat with the CensHERship Campaign last week); whether she's faced any opposition or the response has been entirely positive; and what NHS England and clinicians have said so far.We also cover the new terminology for PCOS, now PMOS, and what this name change could hopefully mean for people living with it. Stick around for some beautiful inspiration to carry you through the week.☕ SUBSCRIBE for honest chats on women's health, feminist issues, sisterhood & smashing the patriarchy, one cuppa at a time.💛 Enjoying the podcast? Please share, leave us a review or comment!If you would like to, you can Buy us a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/womenkindcollectivepodcast💬 We love hearing from you, email us your ideas here — Jinty & Lou @ [email protected]👀 Join us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/womenkindcollective?igsh=ZmxmbGs2d3BjcXA1&utm_source=qr🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/womenkind-collective/id1557937820🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/42KniEtc5WGQhNvREsN1WP?si=e14a83c93a304bb3And all your favourite Podcast PlatformsThank you for listening.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Nicky Denson EliotPetition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/768726Socials: Instagram - @nickydensonelliot. Substack: Nicky Denson-Elliot ☕ SUBSCRIBE for honest chats on women’s health, feminist issues, sisterhood & smashing the patriarchy, one cuppa at a time.💛 Enjoying the podcast? Please share, leave us a review or comment!If you would like to you can Buy us a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/womenkindcollectivepodcast💬 We love hearing from you, email us your ideas here Jinty & Lou @ [email protected]👀 Join us on instagram here https://www.instagram.com/womenkindcollective?igsh=ZmxmbGs2d3BjcXA1&utm_source=qr🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/womenkind-collective/id1557937820🎧 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/42KniEtc5WGQhNvREsN1WP?si=e14a83c93a304bb3And all your favourite Podcast PlatformsThank you for Listening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Do we need to replace the word 'Hysterectomy' with Nicky Denson-Elliot

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