Gynecological examinations still rely on an instrument that has remained virtually unchanged for almost 200 years: the vaginal speculum. This conventional speculum was designed primarily from the clinician’s perspective and not from the perspective of the patient. In an initial survey conducted by the Peva Project with 110 people with vaginas aged 18 and older, 48% reported experiencing gynecological examinations as uncomfortable, painful, or embarrassing. These experiences have consequences. Many people postpone or avoid routine gynecological examinations because of anxiety surrounding the speculum and the examination itself. When preventive care is avoided, conditions affecting reproductive health may go undetected for longer.

Only a small proportion of respondents had ever been given the opportunity to insert the speculum themselves. Those who had reported a significantly more positive examination experience. Existing alternatives to the conventional speculum generally differ in material or shape, without fundamentally changing the interaction itself: the patient remains passive, and the loss of control remains.

Our research suggests that patient autonomy is one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of gynecological care. It plays a crucial role in how people experience examinations and engage with preventive healthcare.

The concept behind the PEA Speculum is based on interviews with gynecologists, quantitative survey data, and a comprehensive analysis of existing speculum designs. Multiple functional prototypes have been developed, tested, and refined through iterative design cycles. The design is legally protected, and clinical partnerships have been established across Switzerland. Following an initial pilot phase, additional ethics-approved clinical testing is currently underway.

In total, approximately 150–250 documented examinations are planned across partner institutions, including Triemli Hospital Zurich, GynHealth AG Zurich, and Frauenpraxis Saemann in Solothurn.

Early results confirm the usability of the device and provide valuable insights for further refinement. Ongoing validation focuses on improving comfort and handling while documenting the clinical performance of the PEA Speculum.

The Peva Project's response is the PEA Speculum: a redesigned gynecological speculum that enables patient-controlled insertion. By shifting the most critical moment of the examination - the insertion of the vaginal speculum - into the hands of the patient, the PEA Speculum introduces a fundamentally different experience while remaining fully compatible with existing clinical workflows.

This is not merely a redesign of form or aesthetics. It represents a shift in the interaction between patient and instrument. While many existing innovations focus on materials or clinician ergonomics, the PEA Speculum addresses the root causes of discomfort: loss of control, anxiety, and the involuntary contraction of pelvic floor muscles that often accompanies them.

By allowing patients to actively participate in the insertion process, the Peva Project transforms the examination from a passive experience into an active and self-determined one.

The PEA Speculum is not simply an improved vaginal speculum, it is a first step toward a more patient-centered culture of gynecological care.

The Peva Project and the PEA Speculum have received recognition and support from leading institutions in design, innovation, and healthcare.

Supporters and funding partners include the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), the Gebert Rüf Foundation, Pro Helvetia, Innovation Basel, and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), where the project continues to be developed as a flagship research initiative.

The project has also received significant recognition within the design and innovation community. Nominations and awards from institutions such as Hochparterre “The Best in Design,” the Swiss Gender Medicine Symposium, Design Prize Switzerland, and the Swiss Design Awards 2026 reflect the growing impact of the project.

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These achievements position the PEA Speculum as a credible and publicly visible innovation at the intersection of medical design, women’s health, and gender equity in healthcare.