How long does a pap smear exam take?

10 minutes: The pap smear itself is a very quick test in which cells are sampled from the cervix; it is just one part of the overall pelvic exam. Some people confuse a pap smear and a pelvic exam and think that having a pelvic exam is the same as a pap. Women should have yearly pelvic exams but a pap is not always a necessary part of the exam and this is decided by your doctor based on your history.

2 minutes: A pap smear is a test used to screen women for cervical cancer. A practitioner will visualize the cervix by inserting a speculum into the vagina, then will use a little brush to take a sampling of cells from in/around the cervix. The entire procedure only takes about 2 minutes. Results can sometimes take several weeks, however. It is not painful, just a little crampy.