Josh Nelson
Darrick Del Moral
Mara Holt Skov

SoftSpec

14 Weeks | Fall 2023

for her

“Medical conditions or personal experiences can make speculum exams scary, uncomfortable or painful. Research shows that these concerns can be so severe that they cause people to avoid gynecologic care altogether.”

— OHSU, Center for Women's Health

Context & Opportunity

The vaginal speculum, though essential for gynecological examinations, has remained largely unchanged for over a century. Patients often describe the experience as cold, sharp, intrusive, and undignified, with issues ranging from wide intravaginal pressure and discomfort to intimidating aesthetics and unsettling metal noises. This presents a critical opportunity to redesign the speculum into a tool that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being while maintaining clinical effectiveness. Considerations

The speculum is a medical device used to expand the vaginal walls, giving physicians access to the cervix for exams and screenings. Task analysis shows it relies on insertion, spreading, and access mechanisms that often cause discomfort and distress for the patient and even physicians.