Women should begin getting Pap smears at age 21, regardless of sexual activity.
📅 Pap Smear Guidelines (U.S. and most global standards):
-
Ages 21–29:
-
Get a Pap smear every 3 years if results are normal.
-
-
Ages 30–65:
-
Choose one of the following:
-
Pap smear every 3 years, OR
-
HPV test every 5 years, OR
-
Co-testing (Pap + HPV) every 5 years
-
-
-
After 65:
-
You may stop Pap smears if:
-
You’ve had 3 normal Pap tests in a row, or
-
2 normal co-tests in the last 10 years, with the most recent in the last 5 years.
-
-
🚩 Exceptions – May Need Earlier or More Frequent Testing:
-
History of cervical cancer or abnormal Pap results
-
HIV positive
-
Weakened immune system (e.g., from organ transplant, chemo)
-
Exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) in the womb
🧬 What a Pap Smear Does:
-
Detects abnormal cervical cells before they turn into cancer
-
Can identify changes caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), the leading cause of cervical cancer
✅ Quick Tip: Pap smears are preventive—not diagnostic. Getting them regularly can detect issues early, long before symptoms appear.