Pap Smear

How often a pap smear should be done depends on your personal history and specific risk factors.

Women 21 – 29 should have a Pap Test every 3 years.

Women 30 – 65 should have a Pap Test and HPV (co test) every 5 years.

If you have been told your pap smear is abnormal or wasn’t able to be evaluated and needs to be repeated, follow these guidelines to decrease the need for further testing:

• Avoid vaginal intercourse, douching, foams/jellies, inserts and tampons at least 48 hours prior to the appointment
• Avoid having a pap smear done during the time you are bleeding

Abnormal Pap Smears:

Receiving news of an abnormal pap smear can be scary for women. An abnormal test result does not necessarily mean cancer, but that further testing or follow up is required.