FAQs

The Nella Speculum is a single-use, doctor-accepted medical device designed specifically for a woman’s body to improve comfort during a pelvic exam. Unlike traditional metal or plastic speculums – based on a 200-year-old design – the Nella Speculum was completely redesigned to reduce pressure, anxiety, and discomfort during routine OB/GYN exam without changing the exam itself or compromising clinical standards. 

For decades, pelvic exams have relied on speculum designs that never prioritized a women’s comfort. As a result, 90% of women report fear, anxiety or pain during pelvic exams, and many delay or skip their annual OB/GYN exam altogether. The Nella Speculum was invented to change that – by making pelvic exams more comfortable so women don’t avoid vital preventive care. Nella doesn’t replace gynecologic exams; it helps women feel empowered to attend them. 

The Nella Speculum is completely different from traditional metal or plastic speculums because it was redesigned from the ground up with women’s comfort in mind. Most speculums used today - even disposable plastic ones - are based on a 200-year-old metal design. Changing the material did not change the experience, which is why so many women still report fear, anxiety, and pain during pelvic exams. The Nella Speculum is different in several key ways: 

• Redesigned for comfort, not just resized: Nella is not simply a smaller or larger version of a traditional speculum. Its shape was reengineered to be more ergonomic and better aligned with a woman’s body.
• Slimmer at insertion, where the body is most sensitive: The Nella Speculum is intentionally thin at insertion to reduce pressure on sensitive nerves, helping make the start of a pelvic exam more comfortable.
• Integrated sidewall retractors: Instead of relying on widening pressure, Nella uses built-in sidewall retraction to gently hold back vaginal walls. This helps improve comfort for patients while still giving clinicians the visibility they need. 
• Quiet and non-intimidating: Unlike traditional speculums, Nella has no clicking, ratcheting, or locking noise -educing anxiety before and during the exam. 
• Designed to work seamlessly in standard pelvic exams: The Nella Speculum does not change how clinicians perform an OB/GYN exam. It fits into existing clinical workflows while improving the patient experience. 
• Clean, single-use, and clinician-opened: Each Nella Speculum arrives clean in sealed packaging and is opened by the clinician at the appointment, consistent with standard medical practice. 
• Clinically validated: Nella is manufactured in compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices and ISO 13485 and has already been used by over 2 million women. 

In short, traditional speculums were designed for access. The Nella Speculum was designed for women—without compromising care.

Yes. The Nella Speculum is a clinically validated medical device designed for single use during a routine pelvic exam. It is manufactured in compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR part 820) and ISO 13485, ensuring clean production, consistent quality, and patient safety –meeting the same standards used for medical devices in hospitals and doctor’s offices.

Yes,the Nella Speculum is provided clean, sealed, and ready for single use, in line with standard medical practice for pelvic exams and OB/GYN care. The Nella Speculum is manufactured in a clean, controlled environment and in compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR Part 820) and ISO 13485, the same standards used for medical devices in hospitals and doctors’ offices. This ensures consistent quality, safety, and hygiene. The Nella Speculum arrives in its own sealed packaging and is opened by the clinician at your appointment, just like other medical devices used during an exam. The Nella Speculum is designed for one-time use during a single pelvic exam, after which it is disposed of according to clinical standards -supporting patient safety, hygiene, and peace of mind.

Using The Nella Comfort Kit during your pelvic exam is simple:  

1. Bring The Nella Comfort Kit with you to your gynecologist appointment. 
2. At the start of the exam, hand the sealed Nella Speculum that comes in The Comfort Kit to your clinician. The Nella Speculum is opened by your clinician at the appointment 
3. Your exam proceeds as normal—same screening, same standards of care—just with added comfort.

Yes. The Nella Speculum is doctor-accepted and designed to integrated seamlessly into a pelvic exam. It’s clinically validated and comes clean in sealed packaging that is opened by the clinician at the appointment –just like other medical devices used in hospitals and doctors’ offices. Over 2 million women have already used a Nella Speculum, and there is no clinical reason for a provider to refuse it.

Most clinicians accept the Nella Comfort Kit because it fits into a standard pelvic exam and prioritizes patient comfort. If your clinician is unfamiliar with Nella, you can explain that it is a doctor-accepted, single-use, clinically-validated speculum designed to be opened by the clinician at the appointment and to fit into a standard pelvic exam without changing clinical care. If your clinician chooses not to use it, you can still proceed with your exam using their standard instruments. The most important thing is that you do not skip your appointment. Showing up for care matters.  If the speculum is not opened inside the plastic wrapping, we will provide a full return.  Please contact customer service. customerservice@nellaspec.com

No. The Nella Comfort Kit does not replace gynecologic exams. An annual exam including a pelvic exam remains essential for preventive care, screening, and early detection. The purpose of The Nella Comfort Kit and Nella Speculum is to reduce discomfort and anxiety so women feel more confident attending their exams – not skipping them.  Comfort supports care—it does not replace it.

The Nella Comfort Kit is for anyone who experiences fear, anxiety, or discomfort during pelvic exams, including: first-time OB/GYN patients, women returning to care after time away, those experiencing perimenopause or menopause, and women who have avoided annual exams due to speculum pain in the past. If pelvic exams feel stressful or uncomfortable, the Nella Comfort Kit was designed for you.

Yes. Many women experience increased discomfort during pelvic exams in perimenopause and menopause due to hormonal changes that can cause vaginal dryness, thinning tissue, and increased sensitivity. The Nella Comfort Kit was designed to help make OB/GYN exams more comfortable during this stage of life. The Nella Speculum is slimmer at insertion –where the most sensitive nerves are – and features an ergonomic design with integrated sidewall retractors to reduce pressure during the exam. By prioritizing comfort, the Nella comfort Kit helps women continue attending their annual pelvic exams without fear or unnecessary discomfort.

At-home tests can be helpful for some women, especially those with limited access to care. However, they are not a replacement for in-person gynecologic exams. The Nella Comfort Kit is designed to support attendance at exams—not replace them. At-home tests cannot assess cervical health, vaginal tissue changes, or other physical indicators that are evaluated during a pelvic exam. The Nella Speculum and The Nella Comfort Kit are designed to support comfort during in-office exams - helping women feel more confident showing up for the care that
at-home tests cannot replace. Comfort supports care. It doesn’t replace it.

The Nella Speculum comes in two thoughtfully designed sizes, created to comfortable support different bodies and life stages. Both versions are doctor-accepted, clinically validated, and designed to reduce discomfort and anxiety—without changing how clinicians perform the OB/GYN exam.

1. Nella KIND: Featured in our Classic, Menopause, and First-Time Comfort Kits. Designed for women who typically wear XS–L clothing sizes.
2. Nella NEXT: Featured in our Curves Comfort Kit. Designed for women who typically wear XL–XXL clothing sizes, or for women who have had three or more vaginal births.

The Nella Comfort Kit is available online at nellaspec.com and at select retailers, including Walmart.

No. The Nella Comfort Kit does not require a prescription. You can purchase it directly and bring it to your next gynecological appointment. The Nella Speculum is a doctor-accepted, clinically validated medical device designed to be used by a clinician during a routine exam – no prescription needed.

No. The Nella Speculum is intended for single use during one pelvic exam. Like many medical devices used in OB/GYN care, the Nella Speculum is designed to be used once and then the clinician will dispose of it according to clinical standards. They ensure proper hygiene and safety during your exam.

For hygiene and safety reasons, medical devices are generally not eligible for return once opened. For Walmart returns visit here: Returns & Refunds - Walmart.com.  For purchases made on nellaspec.com, please email us at customerservice@nellspec.com. Visit our return policy for more details on nellaspec.com

We encourage you to speak with your clinician if you have questions about your exam. You can also visit our LEARN section on nellaspec.com for educational resources about pelvic exams, comfort, and women’s health.

You can call 1-888-559-CEEK between 8am and 8pm EST M-F or email us at customerservice@nellaspec.com.