Applicable only to volunteers who have ever been able to become pregnant

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

I am currently completing a form and this is a header to one of the questions. I guess it could include trans men, but it is an odd phrasing.

My conclusion is that they can't say "women" nor even mention having a female reproductive system as a proxy for the dreaded word.

So they've gone for a convoluted version of the latter which, as shown above, might well not include some women.

So much for inclusion.

I wonder if pregnancy having reached a stage where you would know about it might have an impact on your immune system, such that the study needs to identify those participants. Without being an immunologist I can see that might be a thing. What's the question that is under the heading?

What if you've tried to conceive for a few months but it hasn't happened and you don't know if you're infertile or not.

Would the study include you?

Maybe ask the Society for Plain English.

That is the sort of bureaucratic speak that paralyses me.

As part of the study they probably do just want women who have conceived.

Not actually using the word women means the sentence could imply that they are saying women in a clunky way without saying women.

or lesbians (well technically lesbians who haven't had sex with a man or gone through IVF or similar, obviously lesbians who have had kids know they can have kids), but if you've never had either then surely you cannot be able to become pregnant as sperm via some method is needed).

I thought uterus havers was ridiculous but this should win the award for 'most convoluted way of trying to say woman' (there could also be awards for 'most offensive way'.

Then the question would simply have been “Have you ever been pregnant?”

So, no virgins?

Apart from Mary.

Yes, utterly barshit!

I think the Society for Plain English should be having a field day with all this stuff! Where are they?

Totally inaccessible. In order to be more accessible.

It's time for the differently slim uterus owner (one careful driver) to sing.