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Fairhope, AL: 251-202-9055 - Peoria, IL: 309-306-1322
Fairhope, AL: 251-202-9055 - Peoria, IL: 309-306-1322
What Age Should You Start Having Pap Smears (and what is a Pap Smear)?
This is a quick blog to help you navigate the wonderful world of pap smears (I joke). But in all seriousness when should you start and how often should you have one?
Dr. William Marc Boyd D.O.M.D.
What is a Pap Smear?
A pap smear involves collecting cells from the woman’s cervix. The cervix is the narrow lower end end of the uterus that lies at the top of the vagina.
The Pap smear is performed by placing a speculum in the vagina. The speculum allows the vagina to be opened. This allows visualization of the cervix. A small brush is used to scrape the inside of the cervix to collect the cells from the cervix. The cells are then sent to the lab and evaluated by a pathologist.
What age should I start having pap smears?
Age 21
How often should a Pap smear be performed?
Every three years for women ages 21 to 65, if the pap is reported as normal.
Women age 30 and older can consider Pap testing every 3-5 years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV and the path is recorded as normal with negative HPV.
There are certain risk factors that increase the risk for cervical cancer, and thereby increasing the frequency of Pap smears. These risk factors include:
- A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells
- Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
- HIV infection
- Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic corticosteroid use
- A history of smoking
DO I NEED AN YEARLY WELL WOMAN EXAM EVEN IFMI DO NOT NEED A PAP SMEAR?
All women should have a yearly well woman exam. Understanding that a woman is more than her parts, good health starts with treating the whole woman.
Explore your choices and embrace the lifestyle you desire.
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