Self-empowerment
in Gynecology
Self-empowerment
in Gynecology
Modern healthcare is often perceived as objective and evidence-based, but many of its deeply ingrained structures are shaped by historical, social, and political contexts that no longer align with today's understanding of equitable care. This becomes well apparent in gynecology, where androcentric research paradigms, the legacy of medical misogyny, and persistent stigma around the vulva and vagina continue to shape clinical encounters, often at the expense of patient trust and autonomy. Negative first gynecological experiences correlate strongly with long-term avoidance of care, making informed engagement a design opportunity.
Modern healthcare is often perceived as objective and evidence-based, but many of its deeply ingrained structures are shaped by historical, social, and political contexts that no longer align with today's understanding of equitable care. This becomes well apparent in gynecology, where androcentric research paradigms, the legacy of medical misogyny, and persistent stigma around the vulva and vagina continue to shape clinical encounters, often at the expense of patient trust and autonomy. Negative first gynecological experiences correlate strongly with long-term avoidance of care, making informed engagement a design opportunity.
Modern healthcare is often perceived as objective and evidence-based, but many of its deeply ingrained structures are shaped by historical, social, and political contexts that no longer align with today's understanding of equitable care. This becomes well apparent in gynecology, where androcentric research paradigms, the legacy of medical misogyny, and persistent stigma around the vulva and vagina continue to shape clinical encounters, often at the expense of patient trust and autonomy. Negative first gynecological experiences correlate strongly with long-term avoidance of care, making informed engagement a design opportunity.
What is Vulvue?
Vulvue is a service with a physical toolkit and a digital counterpart made to self assess your vulva and track changes throughout your life.
Proposal
Vulvue examines these structural disparities and investigates how self-advocacy and bodily literacy among people with vulvas can be supported through design, particularly in the pre-appointment phase, where preparation is most capable of preventing anxiety and disempowerment. The project combines literature analysis from feminist theory, gender studies, and medical history with semi-structured patient interviews and expert discussions with gynecologists in Zurich alongside iterative prototyping across materiality, form, and digital interaction.
This work was created in a group of two as part of a Bachelor's thesis at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), supervised by Björn Franke and Riva Pinto.
Vulvue examines these structural disparities and investigates how self-advocacy and bodily literacy among people with vulvas can be supported through design, particularly in the pre-appointment phase, where preparation is most capable of preventing anxiety and disempowerment. The project combines literature analysis from feminist theory, gender studies, and medical history with semi-structured patient interviews and expert discussions with gynecologists in Zurich alongside iterative prototyping across materiality, form, and digital interaction.
This work was created in a group of two as part of a Bachelor's thesis at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), supervised by Björn Franke and Riva Pinto.
Nominated for the Swiss Design Award
Softwares Used: Figma. Blender, Spline 3d, Onshape, Aftereffects, Premiere Pro
The Research Process
The Research
Process
We begann with heavy research about gynecology, patient empowerment, self advocacy and gender inequalities in general medical settings. We spoke with patients, gynecologists, and researchers, and attended a gender health workshop at UZH. What we kept hearing from patients was that many obtained looking at their genitals, didn't know what to expect at appointments, and had no language for what they experienced if any issues appeared. Through literature we came across vulvar self-examination used by the studies of vulvovaginal diseases and the US cancer society: a clinically recognized but rarely encouraged practice, and almost entirely absent from patient education. That's where the direction of the project became clear.
We begann with heavy research about gynecology, patient empowerment, self advocacy and gender inequalities in general medical settings. We spoke with patients, gynecologists, and researchers, and attended a gender health workshop at UZH. What we kept hearing from patients was that many obtained looking at their genitals, didn't know what to expect at appointments, and had no language for what they experienced if any issues appeared. Through literature we came across vulvar self-examination used by the studies of vulvovaginal diseases and the US cancer society: a clinically recognized but rarely encouraged practice, and almost entirely absent from patient education. That's where the direction of the project became clear.
What is a VSE?
Vulvar self examination (VSE) is a framework which was developed out of oncology and supported by the study of vulvovaginal deseases to detect changes throughout womens lives, like precancers or abnormalties, but unlike breast self-checks it is rarely practiced, nor taught. Through our research, we found that women tend to substain looking at their own vulvas, which can create uncertainty, lack of knowledge and even anxiety around that part of the body.
Vulvue is a service with a physical toolkit and a digital counterpart made to self assess your vulva and track changes throughout your life. It provides a structured guidance that leads users step by step through the process of a self-examination.
Vulvar self examination (VSE) is a framework which was developed out of oncology and supported by the study of vulvovaginal deseases to detect changes throughout womens lives, like precancers or abnormalties, but unlike breast self-checks it is rarely practiced, nor taught. Through our research, we found that women tend to substain looking at their own vulvas, which can create uncertainty, lack of knowledge and even anxiety around that part of the body.
Vulvue is a service with a physical toolkit and a digital counterpart made to self assess your vulva and track changes throughout your life. It provides a structured guidance that leads users step by step through the process of a self-examination.
8:15
8:15
Empowerment Through self-knowledge
Empowerment Through self-knowledge
Each tool corresponds to an anatomical part of the vulva. Explore yourself to gain confidence in yourself and your body.
Each tool corresponds to an anatomical part of the vulva. Explore yourself to gain confidence in yourself and your body.
Vulvue
When you’re in a gynecological setting, your vulva will be touched by foreign objects in a non-sexual way. Examining your vulva through objects in your own pace could introduce someone to this process in a comfortable setting.
Vulvue is a service with a physical toolkit and a digital counterpart made to self assess your vulva and track changes throughout your life. Vulvue provides a structured guidance that leads users step by step through the process of a self-examination.
Our goal is to remove long-term shame around vulvar issues in people with vulvas of all ages through self-knowledge.
When you’re in a gynecological setting, your vulva will be touched by foreign objects in a non-sexual way. Examining your vulva through objects in your own pace could introduce someone to this process in a comfortable setting.
Vulvue is a service with a physical toolkit and a digital counterpart made to self assess your vulva and track changes throughout your life. Vulvue provides a structured guidance that leads users step by step through the process of a self-examination.
Our goal is to remove long-term shame around vulvar issues in people with vulvas of all ages through self-knowledge.
The Tools
The kit consists of nine self assessment tools that are based on the framework and assigned to each specific step of the VSE. 7 of that tools are designed as interchangeable tooltips out of silicone. 3 tools function as assistance tools to create the overall setting of a self assessment.
The kit consists of nine self assessment tools that are based on the framework and assigned to each specific step of the VSE. 7 of that tools are designed as interchangeable tooltips out of silicone. 3 tools function as assistance tools to create the overall setting of a self assessment.
*texture
With icons within the application and on the physical tools, you are guided through each step of an vulvar self assessment.
*texture
With icons within the application and on the physical tools, you are guided through each step of an vulvar self assessment.
What about Material?
When we began out iteration process for the physical tools we quickly realized that material plays a big part in affordance and form, so we tested different materials like PVC, PLA resin, Polyurethane and different sorts of silicone. After some user testing we identified firm silicone as an ideal material, which we casted in 3d printed molds and sanded until smooth.
The material is heat resistant so its able to be boiled or autoclaved and disinfected.
When we began out iteration process for the physical tools we quickly realized that material plays a big part in affordance and form, so we tested different materials like PVC, PLA resin, Polyurethane and different sorts of silicone. After some user testing we identified firm silicone as an ideal material, which we casted in 3d printed molds and sanded until smooth.
The material is heat resistant so its able to be boiled or autoclaved and disinfected.
Visal Language &
Graphic Line
We were able to co-create the visual language alongside the physical tools. The pop of orange serves as a hierarchical tool to show more important information. The lilac on the background softens the orange’s intensity. The graphic illustations also allows for demonstation of the tools’ functions.
We were able to co-create the visual language alongside the physical tools. The pop of orange serves as a hierarchical tool to show more important information. The lilac on the background softens the orange’s intensity. The graphic illustations also allows for demonstation of the tools’ functions.
Itching
Itching
Itching
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9
0
0
0
10
10
10
Warts
Warts
Warts
0
0
0
Moles
Moles
Moles
7
7
7
Pain
Pain
Pain
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
The Application
The application is for storing your information on what you examined in with toolkit. It’s meant to have the affordance of a journal and in the assessment mode you’re guided step by step through a self-assessment. We want to help users navigate the examination process and understand what and why they are observing.
The app also allows you to log pain and symptoms as well to document and further discuss in potential gynecological appointments.
The application is for storing your information on what you examined in with toolkit. It’s meant to have the affordance of a journal and in the assessment mode you’re guided step by step through a self-assessment. We want to help users navigate the examination process and understand what and why they are observing.
The app also allows you to log pain and symptoms as well to document and further discuss in potential gynecological appointments.
Final Product
While the gender health gap prevails we emphasize the importance of patient empowerment to facilitate communication within healthcare. With Vulvue we aspire to create a conversation around health education and shame removal.
