How often should you get a pap smear?

Answer 1

You should have your first Pap smear three years after you start having sex or at age 21. Continue having a Pap smear once a year until you've had at least 3 normal ones. After this, you should have a Pap smear at least every 3 years, unless your health care provider thinks you need them more often. Keep having Pap smears throughout your life, even after you've gone through menopause.

Certain things put you at higher risk of Cervical cancer. Your doctor will consider these when recommending how often you should have a Pap smear.

If you're older than 65, talk with your doctor about how often you need a Pap smear. If you've been having Pap smears regularly and they've been negative, you may not need to keep having them.

The American Cancer Society recommends Pap smears on a yearly basis for women of child bearing age and as the previous answer states, older women and women who have had a hysterectomy may not need a pap as often but ask your health care provider for your own schedule.

The annual gynecological exam is still recommended, even though a Pap smear may not be part of that each year. You should start exams when you become sexually active or at age eighteen.

Answer 2

You should have your first Pap test by the age of 21 or within three (or less) years of having sexual intercourse for the first time.

Alternate response:

The National Cervical Screening Program in Australia recommends you have your first Pap smear between 18 and 20 years of age, or two years after you become sexually active, whichever is the later.

(i.e if you became sexually active at 15 years of age, your first Pap smear would still not take place until you were at least 18.)

Answer 3

Around age 16, when you become sexually active, or if your doctor recommends sooner.

Alternate response:

The National Cervical Screening Program in Australia recommends you have your first Pap smear between 18 and 20 years of age, or two years after you become sexually active, whichever is the later.

(i.e if you became sexually active at 15 years of age, your first Pap smear would still not take place until you were at least 18.)

Answer 4

Pap smears are recommended for women 21 and over. For women with normal pap smears, the recommended frequency is every three to five years. Your health history may require a different schedule, so talk with your health care provider about your specific case.

Answer 5

Women should begin pap smears at age 21. If the pap smear is normal, the woman will repeat the test every three years. After age 30, a woman with a history of normal pap smears and a negative combination Pap and HPV test may extend the interval between pap smears to every five years. Pap smears may be discontinued at age 65.

Answer 6

Women 21 to 65 with no history of abnormal pap smear get cervical cancer screening about every three to five years. Talk with your health care provider for advice specific to your situation and health history.

Answer 7

Current recommendations are to start pap smears at age 21. Contact your health care provider for recommendations specific to your health history.

Answer 8

Usually after your first period or after the first time you have sex.

Answer 9

Women should begin to have Pap tests at the age of 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active, whichever comes first.