Does a pap smear hurt?

A pap smear is not expected to hurt, but some women have reported that they sometimes cause discomfort and pressure, as stated by Kidshealth. A pap smear is a procedure that is used to find out if there is any problem in a woman's cervix.

A female typically begins getting pap smears as part of a normal health checkup when she reaches age 21, as stated by Kidshealth. During the test, the doctor uses a tool called a speculum to widen the vagina. A metal speculum will need to be warmed first in order to be comfortable. The doctor will use a light source to check the cervix and take some of its cells using a brush. The cells are then tested in the lab.