Pelvic Exams Without Anxiety? The New Revolutionary Speculum Designed for Women, By Women

Researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands unveiled Lilium, a vaginal speculum designed to reduce discomfort during gynecological exams and encourage more people to attend routine screenings.

A speculum is a medical instrument that makes it easier for your provider to see inside hollow parts of your body, like your vagina. A vaginal speculum widens your vaginal walls so that your provider can examine your vagina and your cervix.

Traditional vaginal speculums are made of metal and were designed and tested by Dr. James Marion Sims from New York. This instrument consists of a hollow cylindrical body with a rounded end that is divided into two hinged parts, resembling a duck's beak. Dr. Sims developed this tool through various experimental surgical procedures he conducted on enslaved women in the 1850s. The speculum is inserted into the vagina to dilate it, allowing for examination of the vagina and cervix during pelvic exams, including those performed during pregnancy or other gynecological appointments.

The device had no further modification for almost two centuries. The recent developments are crucial for patient comfort and in addressing the trauma and fear associated with pelvic exams.

Lilium, named after lily flower, replaces rigid metal or hard plastic devices with a semi-flexible medical-grade TPV (ThermoPlastic Vulcanizate) rubber construction which makes it strong enough to support the vaginal walls from collapsing during examination. The petal-like form unfolds inside the vagina to create working space for clinicians.

TU Delft identifies the team behind the prototype Ariadna Izcara, Industrial design engineer and researcher Tamara Hoveling.

Women have reported shame, fear, or pain associated with pelvic exams, which can discourage participation in screening programs. Lilium’s soft, quiet operation and geometry aim to address those concerns while maintaining clinical visibility.

The team is pursuing funding and partnerships to advance testing, regulatory preparation, and manufacturing currently.

Several companies and research groups have proposed or marketed alternatives to the traditional speculum in the last decade.

• Nella : This design from Ceek Women's healthOffers reusable and single-use speculums marketed as slim, temperature-neutral, and quiet, with ergonomic handles and integrated features; products are sold directly to clinics and consumers currently. It is made of medical-grade polymer, and claims to be slim as an average tampon when closed, much smaller than most traditional devices. After insertion, two side wings expand into the less sensitive vaginal side walls, for doctors' visibility without compromising patient comfort without any noise.

• Yona (Frog Design concept): This new three-leaved speculum offers a clear field of view without needing to open uncomfortably wide, leaves space for easier positioning and features a simple thumb-press lock for hands-free stability for the examiner. Its screw-free, silicone-covered stainless steel design reduces coldness, pinching, and noise, with a built-in light planned for future versions.

• Feminora OneSpec : A reusable handle with a disposable inserter intended to reduce pain at insertion and use a razorblade pricing model like $2 per piece.

These efforts indicate sustained interest in patient-centered pelvic exam tools alongside TU Delft’s Lilium project.

Reducing pain and anxiety during pelvic and cervical cancer screening can remove a practical barrier to routine care. If validated in trials and adopted in clinics, experts believe Lilium could support higher screening adherence.

(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)