1. Anything can be traumatizing, but as a rule they are not traumatizing. Pap smears can be a little uncomfortable, but they are over in a jiffy. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, it is a good idea to have someone to talk to about this before and after (or during if you mention it to the nurse/gyne, but that is not necessary unless it helps you).
2. Pap smear is a test for early detection and prevention of a very aggressive cancer which can be caused by HPV. They visually inspect your cervix as well as taking a small scrape of cells from it. The cancer and the virus which causes it do not necessarily cause symptoms until they are far too advanced to do anything about. The prevention is 100% less troublesome than surgical intervention and cancer treatment. You don't "have to" have a pap smear, because you're an adult, but you certainly should.
3. Afab people weren't included in medical testing/study for a very large chunk of history. As a result, our issues and biology can be a little less understood. In addition to that, women /afab people can (statistically) have a difficult time being believed by doctors when they are experiencing an issue. This means that A) they discuss issues with their friends to vent so you hear about it a great deal more than amab issues, and B) their issues become serious before treatment is offered, rather than being solved early. It isn't fair, you're not wrong.

The best thing you can do is not deny yourself medical care by avoiding preventative appointments (like your pap), learn what is or is not normal re: period/sex/reproductive organs, and learn to advocate for yourself aggressively. Do not worry about "wasting a doctor's time" or "being a nuisance" when it comes to your health or safety. Be insistent.

Everything seems very scary when you haven't experienced it yet, but most things are almost disappointingly mundane when you're actually dealing with them. Pap smears are certainly one of those things, providing you don't already have trauma relating to your sexual organs.