Making women's health procedures comfortable and patient-centred
Lume by Smileyscope provides evidence-based anxiety and pain reduction for obstetric and gynaecological procedures where conventional non-pharmacological approaches often fall short.
From long-acting reversible contraceptive management to miscarriage management and perineal tear suturing, our medical-grade virtual reality helps healthcare teams deliver dignified, patient-centred care whilst improving procedural outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Trust by leading healthcare organisations
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Evidence-based, drug free pain and anxiety relief
Lume supports holistic care, addressing both physical discomfort and emotional distress across women's health procedures.
With clinically proven pain and anxiety reductions through immersive VR technology, Lume provides comfort in diverse clinical situations — from managing uncomfortable gynaecological procedures to providing emotional support during sensitive moments like pregnancy loss.
With Lume, 89% of women reported a moderate or significant anxiety reduction during their procedure[1].
[1] Collins J et al. BASHH 2025
Compassionate care that enhances satisfaction and reduces distress
Women's health procedures can be anxiety-inducing and uncomfortable. Lume transforms these experiences by giving patients a sense of control and calm during vulnerable moments.
96% of women using Lume would recommend it to others[1].
[1] Collins J et al. BASHH 2025
Creating holistic care where women feel safe and supported
Transform clinical procedures into experiences of comfort and dignity with immersive environments that honour each woman's journey.
Lume gives you the tools to provide compassionate care that acknowledges the whole person during intensely personal moments, not just the procedure.
“It not only helps keep the women calm but it changes the entire atmosphere of the room… the focus shifts from just a completed procedure to the holistic and mindful care of the women”
Miss (Dr) Natalie Nunes
Benefits across every department
Custom-designed hardware engineered specifically for healthcare workflows with antimicrobial materials, intuitive controls, and rapid patient turnover.
Coloposcopy
Lume supports patient-centred, trauma-informed care during colposcopy by reducing anxiety, discomfort, and distress.
Colposcopy appointments are frequently associated with high levels of anxiety, as women attend following abnormal screening results and may fear a cancer diagnosis. This psychological distress can heighten pain perception, reduce tolerance of the procedure, and contribute to incomplete examinations, procedural avoidance, or delayed follow-up, undermining early detection and timely care.
When integrated into colposcopy clinics as part of a multi-modal comfort approach, Lume provides immersive comfort care that helps women remain calmer and more comfortable throughout the procedure. Clinicians report improved patient experience, better procedural tolerance, and a more supportive clinical environment that allows care teams to focus on reassurance, communication, and high-quality assessment during a highly sensitive encounter.
Hysteroscopy
Lume supports a multi-modal, patient-centred comfort strategy for outpatient hysteroscopy by reducing pain and anxiety while providing more alternatives to general anaesthesia.
Hysteroscopy services often consult patients who experienced high levels of procedural anxiety, with some women cancelling or declining procedures under local anaesthetic. A proportion of patients required general anaesthesia due to pain or distress, contributing to longer waiting times, increased costs, and higher clinical risk.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS
Lume was introduced alongside local anaesthetic and oral analgesia to provide additional non-pharmacological support. Clinicians reported that having more comfort options improved patient confidence and experience, reduced reliance on general anaesthetic, and enabled calmer, quicker procedures while maintaining safety and efficiency.
“It’s wonderful to have more options for relaxation and comfort. Historically, women’s health hasn’t offered many choices, so this is really valuable… It’s helping us reduce sedation use and make the whole experience calmer and quicker.”
- Irina Stankeviciute, Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hysteroscopy and Conscious Sedation Lead
Fibroid treatment with minimally-invasive, incision less ultrasound guided radio frequency ablation (Sonata treatment)
Lume supports patient-centred, uterus-sparing fibroid care by reducing anxiety and discomfort during awake, incisionless Sonata™ procedures.
While Sonata™ offers an innovative, incision-free alternative to surgical fibroid treatment, some women experience anxiety and procedural discomfort during awake procedures, which can affect tolerance, confidence, and access to uterus-preserving options. Managing anxiety effectively is essential to expanding equitable access to minimally invasive fibroid treatments and supporting informed patient choice.
Miss (Dr.) Natalie Nunes has integrated Lume into SonataTM treatment pathways to help women remain calm and comfortable during these innovative, incision-free fibroid treatments.
Private Practice Gynaecology
Lume supports patient-centred care during general gynaecological procedures by reducing anxiety and helping patients remain calm and focused.
Many routine gynaecological procedures cause significant anxiety and discomfort, particularly for patients who are already nervous or have had previous negative healthcare experiences.
By offering immersive VR during procedures, clinicians report that patients are able to focus on calming environments rather than the procedure itself, which helps patients relax and better tolerate care.
“VR gives patients something calming to focus on instead of the procedure, which really helps our most anxious patients relax and cope.”
– Dr. Tanushree Rao, Gynaecologist and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon.
Labour & Delivery
Lume supports maternity care by reducing pain, anxiety, and distress during early labour, perineal tear suturing, and spinal or epidural procedures.
Labour and delivery involve multiple moments of acute pain and heightened anxiety, including early labour, repair of perineal tears, and placement of spinal or epidural anaesthesia. For some women, fear, distress, or previous birth trauma can intensify pain perception and make procedures more difficult, impacting experience, consent, and overall satisfaction with care.
When used during labour and delivery, Lume provides immersive mindfulness that helps women remain calmer and more focused during painful or anxiety-provoking moments. Clinicians report smoother procedures, improved patient cooperation, and a more supportive birthing environment that respects choice while complementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management options.
Miscarriage Loss: Manual Vacuum Aspirate (MVA)
Lume supports trauma-informed, patient-centred care during miscarriage loss procedures by reducing pain, anxiety, and distress, and improving overall experience during a highly sensitive time.
The EIRENE Project (usE of vIrtual Reality hEadsets iN outpatiEnt manual vacuum aspiration) used Lume to help women remain calmer and more comfortable, while also transforming the clinical environment into one that was quieter, more mindful, and more focused on holistic care rather than procedural completion alone. https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/innovative-virtual-reality-project-helping-support-women-during-pregnancy
“When the headsets are in use, it not only helps keep the women calm, but it changes the entire atmosphere of the room… the focus shifts from just a successfully completed procedure to the holistic and mindful care of the women”
– Miss Natalie Nunes, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): Intrauterine device (IUD) and Subdermal Implants (SDI/Rod)
Patients offered virtual reality during IUD and subdermal implant procedures reported reduced anxiety and a better overall experience compared with previous procedures, with high satisfaction and strong willingness to use or recommend VR in the future.
Pain and anxiety are significant concerns for patients when considering IUD and SDI methods for contraception.
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) 2025, Highly Commended award to Dr. Sara Day, Jessica Collins and colleagues at John Hunter Clinic, UK.
A randomised controlled trial evaluating VR as an analgesic adjunct during intrauterine device insertion demonstrated improved pain and experience outcomes, supporting VR as a non-pharmacological option aligned with patient-centred care principles.
Collins J, Ngu Tazinya J, Singh G, Cooney G, Forbes K, Burgess J, et al. Uptake, acceptability and experiences among patients offered virtual reality headsets during intra uterine device or subdermal implant procedures. Conference presentation, Edinburgh, UK; 2025.
Higgins C. Virtual reality for analgesia during intrauterine device insertion: A randomised controlled trial. Conference presentation, Perth, Australia; 2025.
Sexual health and forensic examinations
Lume supports trauma-informed, survivor-centred sexual health and forensic care by reducing distress and supporting patient choice during sensitive examinations.
Sexual health and forensic examinations can be highly distressing or re-traumatising, with anxiety and sensory overwhelm affecting tolerance, consent, and continuity of care.
When used within trauma-informed care pathways, Lume provides grounding, non-pharmacological support that helps survivors remain calmer and more present, supporting consent-led examinations in line with forensic and sexual assault care guidelines.
Transforming women's health procedure experiences
With Lume
Patient-centred anxiety and pain management that provides clinically proven non-pharmacological anxiety and pain reductions
Holistic care with enhanced patient satisfaction as patients feel supported, and have an enhanced sense of control during vulnerable procedures
Improved clinical outcomes with whilst delivering compassionate, dignified care
Without Lume
Limited nonpharmacological tools to manage anxiety and pain, in situations where women frequently prefer to avoid medications
Split attention between the technical demands of the procedure and emotional reassurance, with potential impacts on efficiency and experience
High frequency of anxious and distressed patients who require more emotional support
Lume Frequently Asked Questions
Which women's health procedures is Lume used for?
Lume is successfully used across IUD insertions, colposcopy, cervical biopsies, hysteroscopy, pregnancy loss management, fibroid treatment procedures, and other gynaecological procedures requiring pain and anxiety management. It's particularly valuable where traditional pain relief options are limited or inadequate.
Is there clinical evidence for women's health applications?
Lume has been studied in the United Kingdom and Australia in women’s health for IUD insertion, miscarriage loss management and sexual health management (long acting reversible contraceptives). The platform was initially developed for paediatric needle procedures, but the same evidence-based VR technology has been carefully adapted in collaboration with women’s health clinical experts to women's health procedures where pain and anxiety management are critical.
How does it compare to traditional pain management?
Lume provides a non-pharmaceutical option that complements existing pain management approaches. Unlike medications, nerve blocks, sedation and general anaesthesia, Lume does not require drugs, and does not have significant serious adverse effects or recovery time.
What do patients think about using VR during sensitive procedures?
Patients report feeling more in control and less vulnerable. The immersive experience provides a sense of privacy and autonomy during procedures, with 88% of patients reporting it helped and 95% recommending it to others. Many specifically appreciate having a drug-free option that enhances dignity and comfort.
How quickly can our women's health team start using it?
Immediately. Lume requires minimal training with an intuitive touchscreen interface. Healthcare teams across hospitals, obstetrics, gynaecology, family planning clinics, and women's health centres report easy adoption. The system works without WiFi dependency, ensuring reliable performance in any clinical setting.
Can it be used for pregnancy loss management?
Yes. Lume is used compassionately in pregnancy loss procedures, particularly in settings where patients remain awake during the procedure. In these sensitive situations, the calming, immersive experiences provide comfort and reduce distress during an already difficult time.
See why 10,000 other clinicians use Smileyscope
Join leading hospitals and clinics delivering superior patient outcomes with evidence-based VR technology. Book a demo to see how Lume transforms procedures in your healthcare setting.
