Until age 30, all women should have yearly Pap smears. If your Pap smears have been negative for the past three years, and you have only one sexual partner or you’re not sexually active, your doctor may advise you that you need a Pap smear every two or three years.
Some women need to continue having yearly Pap smears after age 30, these women include:
- Women who have had multiple sex partners.
- Women who have an immune system disorder such as HIV.
- Women with compromised immune systems due to certain medications such as long-term use of steroid medication.
Women exposed prenatally to diethystilbestrol, commonly called DES, also need annual Pap smears, regardless of age. DES is a synthetic estrogen given to pregnant women from 1938 to 1971 to prevent miscarriage. Many women believed they were taking vitamins and may not be aware of their exposure. DES daughters face unique, serious, potential health risks. Women born during these years should find out whether they had prenatal exposure to DES.
If you have an abnormal Pap smear, your doctor will advise you about when you need to have additional Pap smears.
Finally, all women should schedule annual gynecology examinations regardless of whether a Pap smear is necessary that year. Your gynecologist will examine your breasts and pelvic region to look for changes that may indicate potential problems. You can also use this appointment to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Source: Cervical Polyps; Medline Plus, NIH, NLM; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001494.htm; accessed 12/12/07.
