The main tool used during a Pap smear is a speculum, a hinged device that gently holds the vaginal walls open so your provider can see your cervix. Most speculums have blades roughly 70 to 90 mm long (about 3 to 3.5 inches) and 25 to 40 mm wide (1 to 1.5 inches), depending on the size selected. The second tool, a thin cervical brush used to collect cells, is about 8 inches long overall but has a soft bristle tip only about 3/4 of an inch wide.
Speculum Sizes and Dimensions
Speculums come in several sizes, and your provider picks the smallest one that still gives a clear view of your cervix. The blades, the part that’s actually inserted, range from narrow and short to wider and longer. A small speculum blade measures around 70 mm long and 25 mm wide, which is roughly the width of a large grape. A medium blade runs about 75 to 80 mm long and 30 to 35 mm wide. A large blade is closer to 90 mm long and 40 mm wide, about the width of a ping-pong ball.
Only the blades enter the body. The handle and hinge stay outside, so the total length of the instrument (which can look intimidating on a tray) is misleading. What you actually feel is significantly smaller than what the whole device looks like.
Different Speculum Types for Different People
Providers don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. There are several speculum designs, each shaped for different anatomy:
- Pediatric or Huffman speculum: The narrowest option, designed for people who have never had penetrative intercourse. It’s also commonly used for people who are postmenopausal, since hormonal changes can make vaginal tissue thinner and less elastic.
- Pederson speculum: A mid-range size with narrower, flatter blades. Typically used for people who are sexually active but haven’t given birth vaginally.
- Graves speculum: The widest and longest standard option, with rounder blades. Providers tend to choose this for people who have delivered a baby vaginally or who have a longer vaginal canal.
Genetics, age, health conditions, and sexual history all influence which speculum your provider reaches for. If a standard size feels uncomfortable, you can ask whether a smaller option is available. Many people don’t realize this is an option.
The Cervical Brush
Once the speculum is in place, your provider uses a cervical brush (sometimes called a cervical broom) to gently sweep cells from the surface of your cervix. The brush is about 8 inches long total, similar to a pencil, but most of that length is a thin plastic handle. The bristle tip that contacts your cervix is only about 3/4 of an inch (roughly 19 mm) across. The bristles are soft and flexible, not stiff or sharp.
The brush is rotated once or twice against the cervix. Most people feel a brief, mild sensation, sometimes described as a light scratching or pressure. The cell collection itself takes only a few seconds.
What the Experience Feels Like
Knowing the dimensions helps, but what most people really want to know is whether it will hurt. The speculum is inserted closed and then gently opened once inside, which creates a feeling of pressure or stretching. Providers typically warm the speculum and use lubricant to reduce friction. The entire exam, from insertion to removal, usually takes under two minutes.
Discomfort varies. People using a smaller speculum (like the Huffman or pediatric size) generally feel less pressure. Tensing your muscles can make things feel tighter and more uncomfortable, so slow, deep breathing during the exam genuinely helps. If you’ve had pain during past Pap smears, telling your provider beforehand gives them the chance to adjust their technique, choose a smaller speculum, or use extra lubricant.