For nearly 180 years, the vaginal speculum has remained largely unchanged: cold, metallic, and intimidating. Invented by Dr. James Marion Sims in the mid-19th century and originally tested unethically on enslaved women, the speculum’s history alone is enough to cause discomfort for many. However, it’s not just its past that’s problematic, patients frequently report physical pain, emotional distress, and anxiety linked to the device’s design and clinical use.

While many clinicians have considered it a necessary evil, a growing wave of medical designers, engineers, and gynecologists are challenging that notion, advocating for innovation that centers the patient’s emotional and physical well-being.

The Flower That May Redefine Pelvic Exams

Enter the Lilium, a new, flower-inspired speculum design created by two engineers from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands: Tamara Hoveling and Ariadna Izcara Gual.

Designed to resemble a blooming lily, the Lilium was conceived as a direct response to the emotional and physical discomfort women often feel during pelvic exams.

Made with soft plastic and featuring an applicator similar to a tampon, the Lilium is shaped to open like a flower, providing better visibility for clinicians while being significantly less intimidating for patients. It also eliminates the harsh clicking sounds and rigid, cold sensation associated with the traditional metal models.

“The aim was to create something familiar, symbolic of the reproductive system, and emotionally safe,” Hoveling said, emphasizing that trauma-informed design can make all the difference in encouraging routine screening.

What the Experts Say

Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist and IVF Expert at Nurture, strongly supports the redesign. Speaking to Health and Me, she shared how many patients, especially first-timers or trauma survivors, avoid gynecological exams purely because of how threatening the traditional speculum appears.

“It’s cold, mechanical, and terrifying. Many women skip vital preventive exams like Pap smears simply due to fear. A gentler, flower-like design like Lilium not only reduces pain but also the stigma and fear surrounding such check-ups,” said Dr. Bajaj.

She believes the Lilium offers more than aesthetic comfort, it symbolizes empathy in care. “Its soft texture, warmer material, and symbolism of blooming can help women associate pelvic exams with care rather than dread,” she added.

It’s Not Just Physical, It’s Emotional

Pain during pelvic exams isn’t solely physical. Dr. Bajaj explains that anxiety, fear of discomfort, and past trauma often make the experience worse.

“The cycle of fear leads to muscle tension, which increases pain. And that pain only reinforces the fear,” she said. “A redesign like this breaks that cycle. It helps the patient relax, trust the process, and stay engaged with their reproductive health.”

Such emotional consideration is especially crucial for survivors of sexual trauma and post-menopausal women, for whom speculum insertion can be especially distressing.

A History of Redesign Attempts

Lilium isn’t the first attempt at a redesign. Over the years, several models have tried to address comfort:

FemSpec (2005): An inflatable speculum that mimicked a blood pressure cuff. Though it got FDA approval, it was withdrawn in 2008 due to clinical impracticality and physician resistance.

Callascope: A tampon-sized device with a built-in camera for cervical visualization. It bypasses the need for dilation but still faces challenges in physician acceptance and cost-effectiveness.

Nella and Yona: Ergonomic updates to the traditional model. Nella introduced quieter operations and smoother polymers, while the Yona design, developed by San Francisco firm Frog, experimented with a 105-degree angled handle, silicone materials, and a softer, less intimidating shape inspired by sex toy design.

Despite these efforts, none have received the kind of widespread support that Lilium is beginning to garner, thanks, in part, to its empathetic approach and viral crowdfunding campaign, which raised over €100,000 in just two days.

Beyond Design: Why Empathy Matters

The redesign of gynecological tools like the speculum isn’t just about comfort, it’s about dignity, access, and trust. According to Dr. Bajaj:

“Empathetic instruments say something powerful: we value your emotional well-being as much as your physical health.”

This matters. Studies and surveys show that a significant portion of women avoid screenings due to fear or discomfort. In fact, a 2020 study found that 13.6% of women skipped cervical smears due to painful past experiences with speculums.

By designing tools that prioritize empathy and accessibility, we don’t just change devices, we change behaviors. More women are likely to attend screenings, leading to earlier diagnosis, more open conversations about reproductive health, and ultimately, lives saved.

Lilium is still undergoing ergonomic testing, human trials, and regulatory review. But its success so far is an important signal.

“This is not just about a speculum, it’s a symbol of progress in how medicine treats women,” says Dr. Bajaj. “It invites patients in, rather than scaring them off. That’s the future of gynecological care.”

Cardiff University medical student and triathlete Lily McGarry, 24, from Jersey, never imagined that what seemed like a mild case of “freshers’ flu” would spiral into a life-threatening illness. A fit, active young woman with a passion for swimming, running and triathlons, Lily’s life was turned upside down in January this year when she developed sepsis. Within hours, she went from watching television with her housemates to suffering two cardiac arrests, falling into a coma, and later losing all four limbs.

“I felt a bit under the weather, but I was still going about my daily life,” Lily recalled from her hospital bed at Cardiff’s Llandough Hospital. “I just thought I’d have a rest and sleep it off.”

From Flu-Like Symptoms to Emergency Care

On January 14, Lily went to bed believing she only needed rest. But her condition worsened overnight. Her housemate checked on her after noticing her bedroom light was still on and found her violently ill and incontinent. Friends Lucy and Ella rushed to clean her up and took her straight to A&E.

At first, Lily believed it was nothing serious. “I was able to walk into A&E, and I thought I’d just receive some antibiotics and go home the next day,” she said. However, her appearance of stability quickly deteriorated. A spreading rash and plummeting blood pressure revealed something far more dangerous.

In the resuscitation room, doctors moved swiftly. “I remember the consultant asking for my mum and dad’s mobile numbers,” Lily said. “That was the moment I realized something was very wrong.”

Also Read: What This 19-Year-Old Thought Was 'Freshers' Flu' Actually Turned Out To Be Meningitis

A Three-Month Blank

The next few months remain a blur. Lily fell into a coma and has no memory of the events that followed until April. During that time, she endured two cardiac arrests and was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, a severe form of sepsis.

“I don’t think I really realized the scale of what had happened until about May when I was starting to look at my body,” Lily admitted. Her medical team explained that she had gone into septic shock, which starved her limbs of blood supply and ultimately led to amputation.

Understanding Sepsis

Sepsis occurs when the body reacts abnormally to an infection, damaging tissues and organs. It can strike anyone, regardless of age or health, and can progress at alarming speed. According to the UK Sepsis Trust, symptoms vary widely but there are six key warning signs to look out for:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme muscle or joint pain
• Passing no urine in 24 hours
• Severe breathlessness
• Intense feeling of impending death
• Skin that is mottled, discolored or very pale

If untreated, sepsis can cause organ failure, a drastic drop in blood pressure, and death. Experts stress that early recognition and urgent medical treatment are vital.

Adapting to a New Life

Despite the devastating changes to her body, Lily remains remarkably positive. “I’m fortunate to have lost my limbs in an age where there’s lots of technology,” she said. She is already looking ahead to adaptive sports, including hand cycling and returning to the water.

“I’ve always liked swimming and being in the water, and I’m really excited about the sense of freedom I’ll have without gravity in the water,” she said, hopeful about resuming her active lifestyle.

Lily is expected to return home to Jersey in November, where she looks forward to reuniting with her grandparents, spending time on the beach, and reflecting on her recovery.

The Power of Support

Her resilience has been matched by the outpouring of support from her community. Friends and family have launched fundraising campaigns to provide Lily with access to prosthetics and sporting opportunities. Messages of encouragement have poured in from Wales, Jersey and beyond.

Housemate Ella Jennings praised Lily’s character and determination: “She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met. Since she’s got poorly she’s just that and more—so positive and determined. Honestly, she blows my mind. Every time I see her, she astounds me with her attitude and outlook on life.”

Looking Ahead With Strength

For Lily, the journey ahead will involve rehabilitation, learning to navigate life with prosthetics, and embracing new ways to remain active. But her focus is firmly on what she can achieve, not what she has lost.

“When you’re young, you think these kinds of conditions don’t affect you,” Lily reflected. “You feel a bit invincible. But I’m determined to make the most of the opportunities I have and to keep moving forward.”

Her story serves as a sobering reminder of how swiftly sepsis can strike, but also a powerful testament to resilience, positivity and the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.

The Trump administration has announced it will end the federal government’s long-running annual report on hunger in America, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from advocates and experts. Officials say the survey had become “overly politicized” and “rife with inaccuracies,” while critics argue the move will make it harder to measure hunger amid recent cuts to food assistance programs.

Background: Cuts to Food Aid

The decision comes just over two months after President Donald Trump signed legislation that significantly reduced federal food aid. In July, Republicans pushed through a tax and spending cuts package that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected would leave around 3 million people ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

The move represented one of the most consequential shifts in food policy in recent years, with concerns that millions of low-income households would lose a critical safety net.

Ending the USDA Hunger Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed on Saturday that the upcoming Household Food Security Report, scheduled for release on October 22, 2024, would be the last. The annual report has been a central tool in tracking hunger and food insecurity across the nation for decades, helping policymakers, researchers, and aid organizations assess needs and shape responses.

In its statement, the USDA defended the decision, claiming that the survey questions used to collect data were “entirely subjective” and did not provide an accurate reflection of food security.

“The data is rife with inaccuracies slanted to create a narrative that is not representative of what is actually happening in the countryside,” the agency said. “We are currently experiencing lower poverty rates, increasing wages, and job growth under the Trump Administration.”

The Administration’s Justification

The Trump administration pointed to positive economic trends as evidence that hunger is declining and suggested that the USDA survey was inconsistent with these broader indicators. Officials highlighted Census Bureau data released earlier this month showing that the U.S. poverty rate fell from 11% in 2023 to 10.6% last year, before Trump took office.

According to the administration, such numbers reflect the success of policies aimed at boosting wages and expanding job opportunities, making the hunger survey less relevant.

Critics Respond

However, critics argue that the decision to discontinue the hunger report is less about accuracy and more about obscuring the real impact of recent policy changes. Anti-hunger groups, researchers, and political analysts warn that without reliable annual data, it will be far more difficult to track whether food insecurity is rising, especially among vulnerable groups affected by the food stamp cuts.

“Trump is cancelling an annual government survey that measures hunger in America, rather than allow it to show hunger increasing under his tenure,” said Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank. “This follows the playbook of many non-democracies that cancel or manipulate reports that would otherwise show less-than-perfect news.”

Advocacy groups also stressed that the USDA’s food security data has historically been considered the gold standard in hunger research, relied upon by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Eliminating the report, they warn, risks leaving policymakers “flying blind” when it comes to understanding the needs of low-income families.

Broader Implications

The end of the USDA hunger report highlights a growing clash between the administration’s claims of economic progress and critics’ warnings that poverty and hunger remain pressing challenges. While official poverty rates have dipped, millions of Americans continue to rely on food aid, food banks, and community support programs.

Experts say that without annual federal data, private researchers and non-profit organizations may struggle to capture the full picture of food insecurity nationwide, potentially weakening efforts to hold the government accountable for policy outcomes.

The controversy underscores the political stakes around hunger in America, where the battle over data is increasingly tied to broader debates about inequality, public assistance, and the role of government in supporting struggling households.

When 19-year-old Ketia Moponda set off from Wolverhampton to begin her first year at De Montfort University in Leicester, she was filled with the usual excitement of freshers’ week. But just eight days after arriving, what she thought was a simple “freshers’ flu” turned into a life-threatening battle with meningococcal septicaemia, as reported in the BBC. It is a rare and severe form of bacterial meningitis.

Within a matter of days, Ketia went from being a healthy teenager adjusting to university life to lying unconscious in hospital, fighting for survival. The illness would eventually claim both her legs below the knees and parts of her fingers, but Ketia has emerged as a determined advocate for awareness, warning other students about the risks and the importance of quick medical attention.

Mistaking Deadly Symptoms for Freshers’ Flu

Like many first-year students, Ketia brushed off her illness as something minor. “Don’t mistake everything for a common cold,” she now warns. “I made that mistake and went to sleep. It could have been fatal.”

Her memory of those final hours before being found is hazy. For 27 hours, she lay in her university accommodation, gravely ill. When worried friends and security staff finally entered her room, the scene was alarming. “As soon as they opened the door, they had to call the emergency services because it was described as looking like foul play,” she recalled. “There was blood and vomit everywhere. My body was failing.”

She was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where doctors placed her in a coma to stabilize her condition. Her family were driven under blue lights to join her, fearing the worst.

Defying the Odds

Doctors were not confident Ketia would survive. But after two days, she woke from the coma, unable to see or speak and barely aware of her surroundings. “I couldn’t see or speak and it was a whole week before I started speaking,” she said. “Most of the time I didn’t know where I was.”

The meningococcal bacteria had spread rapidly through her bloodstream, cutting off circulation to her extremities. The skin on her fingers and feet began to shrivel, swell, and turn painful. Despite antibiotics, her limbs could not be saved.

On January 7, 2025, doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham amputated both of her legs below the knees, along with parts of her fingers and thumbs. “Basically my legs had died because of a lack of blood going to them,” she explained. “It was terrible. I just kept crying all the time. I felt so hurt, it was killing my spirit.”

A Long Recovery Journey

Ketia spent five months in hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries, including skin grafts after developing a secondary flesh-eating infection. The experience was traumatic, but her determination to recover was evident. “I felt like my whole life had just begun and now I had to start all over again differently,” she said.

The road to recovery has been slow, but Ketia is now finding strength in her new reality. She has become active on TikTok, sharing her journey as a young, Black, female amputee, a representation she says is rarely visible in mainstream media. “It’s rare that you see an amputee just out there in front of your face,” she said. “Even though seeing an amputee is not normal, I want it to be a norm.”

Understanding Meningococcal Septicaemia

According to the NHS, meningococcal septicaemia is caused when meningococcal bacteria enter the bloodstream, leading to blood poisoning and, in many cases, meningitis, inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It is less common than viral meningitis but significantly more dangerous, requiring urgent treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

Symptoms can appear similar to flu at first, including fever, headache, and nausea. But the illness can worsen very quickly, leading to confusion, vomiting, severe pain, and sometimes a distinctive rash. The NHS stresses that people should not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops. If meningitis is suspected, medical help must be sought immediately.

Vaccination and Student Awareness

Many students in the UK receive the MenB vaccination during secondary school, which Ketia had also received. But the vaccine does not cover all strains of the bacteria, meaning cases still occur.

Each year, universities and health organizations urge new students to register with a local GP and familiarize themselves with the signs of meningitis. Some institutions distribute welcome packs with symptom cards to help students recognize warning signs early.

The NHS advice is clear: trust your instincts. If symptoms seem worse than a normal flu or cold, or if something feels unusual, seek urgent medical help.

Inspiring Others Through Adversity

Despite the life-altering consequences of her illness, Ketia is determined to transform her experience into a message of awareness and empowerment. She wants students to be vigilant about their health and to not dismiss symptoms too quickly.

She also hopes her story inspires people to rethink perceptions of disability. “Disability does not limit ambition, beauty, or confidence,” she said. Her presence online as a confident amputee challenges stereotypes and gives visibility to people often overlooked.