Women’s Health Issues: Guide to Pap Smears

A Pap Smear is the name given to a test that is done for women to help find out if she is infected with HPV (human papilla virus) or not. This short guide will clue you in on what age and when you need to get a Pap Smear.

You should pay attention to this info because it can help you during any stage of life. It especially pertains to individuals who are sexually active and especially if they have multiple partners.

Purpose of Test

The Pap Smear are meant to determine whether any HPV is in your system. This test is taken to find out if you are at risk for cervical cancer.

Certain factors contributed to risk of contracting HPV, such as whether you have been sexually active and whether you smoke. Family history also plays a part in whether or not you would catch HPV.

Screening Guide

The guidelines set by the American Cancer Society is that Pap Smears are recommended for women who are age 21 or have been sexually active for three years. The College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends they be taken at age 21 regardless of age of sexual activity.

For women who are fairly healthy and who are not at a high risk for cervical cancer they can typically stop receiving routine Pap Smears at age 65. This is usually provided they have had no recent abnormal Pap Smears, such as within the past 3 to 10 years depending upon standards followed.

There are certain situations when Pap Smears may still be needed even if you have had your uterus and/or cervix removed. Usually this would be in the event you had suffered a cancerous condition. However, if you have not you would not need it.

In any case, at least until age 65 (or in some cases when you are older) routine Pap Smears may be required still if you have a new sexual partner. Usually by 70 years of age the Pap Smears can be discontinued if a woman has had at least three normal Pap Smears readings in a row.

The most important consideration of all of this to remember is that regardless of age if you have a new sexual partner you are at higher risk for HPV. In this case you should seriously consider getting routine tests for as long as you are able to have sex.