The present disclosure relates to an ergonomically designed vaginal speculum. The speculum includes a body portion comprising a handle configured to be grasped by a user of the speculum, a lower bill, and a transition portion between the handle and the lower bill. The speculum further includes an upper bill rotatably coupled to the lower bill at the transition portion, allowing the upper bill to move relative to the lower bill to move the speculum into an open position, a window frame coupled to the upper bill defining a viewing window, and an actuation mechanism coupled to the upper bill to cause separation of the upper bill from the lower bill. The transition portion creates an angle greater than 90 degrees between the handle and the lower bill. The speculum may further include a locking mechanism and an illumination source.