A pelvic exam is a doctor’s visual and physical examination of a woman’s reproductive organs. During the exam, the doctor inspects the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, vulva, ovaries, and uterus.

Anyone who has ever had been screened for cervical cancer, aka gotten a Pap smear, during a pelvic exam knows how uncomfortable it can be — and the speculum plays a key role in that. The ...