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.”
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. These factors contribute to fear, avoidance of care, and a sense of inhumanity in an already vulnerable setting. This presents a critical opportunity to redesign the speculum into a tool that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being while maintaining clinical effectiveness. By addressing ergonomics, materials, noise reduction, and patient-centered design, the speculum can evolve into a device that empowers trust, reduces anxiety, and transforms the gynecological experience into one that is humane, respectful, and supportive.
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.
Building on my research, I developed empathetic explorations through personas and journey maps to capture the different user experiences more deeply.
Research & Empathy →
stakeholders
Exploring the Mechanics/Ergonomics
Exploring the Form
