[mellaya78]

When should I get a papsmere? How often am I supposed to do it?

[jns]

From womenshealth dot gov:
How often do I need to get a Pap test?

It depends on your age and health history. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you.

Most women can follow these guidelines:
If you are between ages 21 and 29, you should get a Pap test every 3 years.
If you are between ages 30 and 64, you should get a Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test together every 5 years or a Pap test alone every 3 years.
If you are 65 or older, ask your doctor if you can stop having Pap tests.

Some women may need more frequent Pap tests.
You should talk to your doctor about getting a Pap test more often if:
You have a weakened immune system because of organ transplant, chemotherapy, or steroid use.
Your mother was exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant.
You have had treatment for abnormal Pap results or cervical cancer in the past.
You are HIV-positive.

Women who are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are at a higher risk of cervical cancer and other cervical diseases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all HIV-positive women get an initial Pap test, and get re-tested 6 months later. If both Pap tests are normal, HIV-positive women can get yearly Pap tests in the future.

[Ashlee T.]

Since becoming sexually active, I have gotten one each year. Fortunately, my insurance has always covered it. If it didn't, I am not certain I would have been so diligent. I do it yearly because I think it's a good time to build rapport and a history with the OB, since I am in my reproductive years. I also like to get checked for STD's yearly and discuss birth control methods and any other issues or concerns I have.

[bel08]

I've been told to get a papsmear every 2 years after the age of 18 if you're sexually active. We have a service in Australia that sends you out a letter to remind you to have it done. It's pretty good. Best to get everything checked out. I started having sex at the age of 16 and then when I turned 18 or 19 I've had them every 2 years. I'm 26 now and haven't missed one.

[Ashlee T.]

I wanted to follow up in this thread based on a recent experience.

A gf of mine who is 29 and has been married for about 5 years, has a child, marriage is monogamous, recently had her annual exam and discovered she has hpv. The doctor assured her that doesn't mean her husband was unfaithful and that hpv can lay dormant for years. This resulted in a biopsy from three cervical locations. 2 of those came back low grade, but 1 came back high grade which is basically a step below cervical cancer.

The moral of the story is if she had not gone in for her annual, she would not have caught the hpv so early and it could've easily resulted in cervical cancer.

If you are sexually active, I hold to the fact that it is very important to get annual papsmears and exams.

[Loric2014]

Hey. I knew from you for a doctor when you need to pass a test for PAP. It depends on your age, medical history and your risks.

Between the ages of 21 and 29: Most provincial and territorial guidelines recommend that if you are at least 21 years of age and are sexually active, you must take the Pap test every three years.
Age 30 to 69: guidelines for the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Healthcare and others say that you must take the Pap test every three years.
Age 70 years or older: you no longer need Pap tests if your three previous tests were normal.
Risk factors include precancerous cells in the cervix, a history of cervical cancer, or a weak immune system. If any of them contact you, ask your doctor how often you need a test for dads.
The best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to protect yourself from human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer.

Get a vaccine against HPV. Girls should receive the vaccine when she is 11 or 12. She gets three shots in six months. Girls and women aged 13 to 26 should receive the vaccine if they have not yet received it.

Women who receive the vaccine still need regular tests for PP because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer.
Boys and men can also get a vaccine. This can help protect them from HPV infection and transmit HPV to their sexual partners.

Limit your sexual partners. The fewer partners you have, the lower the risk of contracting HPV.

Use condoms. Condoms help to reduce the risk of HPV infection. Men who use them are less likely to become infected and infect their partners. However, condoms do not prevent all infections.
Use spermicidal gels. They also help protect against HPV.
If you feel that you are at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, you should consult a doctor for testing and screening.

Do not smoke. The risk of developing cervical cancer increases with the passage of time when a woman smokes and the number of cigarettes smoke daily.

Do these steps to make your PET test as accurate as possible.

Assign your appointment at least five days after stopping the menstrual cycle.
Within 48 hours before the test: do not have sex and do not use showers, tampons, penetrants or gels to control fertility, vaginal creams, moisturizers or lubricants or vaginal preparations.