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  • In pictures

A nasty history of the vaginal speculum

The vaginal speculum carries the weight of generations of preconceptions about morality, blame and attitudes to pain. Lalita Kaplish explores the history of the implement and how societies shaped its use.

  • Article

Heating up and drying out

Menopause doesn’t have to signify old age, but when your body feels like it’s letting you down, it’s hard not to believe that your useful life may be over.

  • Article

The search for a cure for endometriosis

Discover how a white American doctor’s experimental operations on black female slaves laid the foundations for modern gynaecological surgery.

  • Article

Blood

Discover the history, mythology and taboos around blood and menopause, and hear from some contemporary voices about their experiences of periods and the onset of menopause.

All stories (15)

Images

  • Vaginal speculum
  • Vaginal speculum
  • Vaginal speculum
  • Vaginal speculum
  • Recto-vaginal fistula
  • Vaginal speculum, 16th century.
  • Bronze vaginal speculum, three blades.
  • Bronze vaginal speculum, three blades.
  • Bronze vaginal speculum, three blades.
  • Bronze vaginal speculum, three blades.
All images (109)

Catalogue

All works (523)