When referring to your body during sex, everyone will want different things. Some people are comfortable with the terms that traditionally come with the parts they were born with, and others are not. If one is uncomfortable with those terms, there are many other options available, and you can always invent your own words too! Some folks prefer for certain body parts to just not be spoken about, and that is okay too. If there is a part of your body that could be compared to another’s body, you may want to refer to it that way (i.e. boobs become pecs). For some, this can add to dysphoria, and they may prefer general gender-neutral terms (chest, genitals). Some may even like a scientific word as opposed to a slang term as it has more to do with sex than gender (vagina, penis). When you are beginning a new sexual relationship  with someone, it is a great practice to ask them about what terms they prefer, and how they would like for you to talk about their body. They may not know, so take conversations about a person’s body at a pace they are comfortable with, and leave room for things to change and evolve (regardless of their gender-identity).

Language for the body in connection to your health can often be more complicated. While some health institutions will try their best to use words to make folks comfortable or ask lots of questions, many do not take the time to learn how to support folks. When going into a medical situation, consider what your reaction may be to hearing gendered terms and ways you may want to communicate to medical staff while still allowing them to be as accurate as they need to supply you with care. One thing that can help is the setting. Set up acts of self-care after medical situations like these, spending some time with your friends, engaging in an activity that makes you feel comfortable and confident in your body, or having some time to rest. Whatever will help you feel supported in that moment.