How often should I have pap smears after menopause?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:You should get it annually until you are at least 65. At that point, you can reconsider if your last three consecutive tests have been all clear (no abnormal cells, no inflammation), and no abnormalities have shown up in the last 10 years. However, if you’ve had an abnormal Pap in the last 36 months, or have had a sexually transmitted disease like HPV, or your mom took DES (diethylstilbestrol) when she was pregnant with you, you’re considered at high risk and you should continue to have your annual Pap smear.You should get it annually until you are at least 65. At that point, you can reconsider if your last three consecutive tests have been all clear (no abnormal cells, no inflammation), and no abnormalities have shown up in the last 10 years. However,... More -
Patricia Geraghty answered:A woman who is no longer having menstrual periods, and has had normal pap smears and negative HPV tests, should continue to have pap smears every 5 years. She may stop having pap smears at age 65.
If a woman has had abnormal pap smears or is HPV positive, or has high risk conditions such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure or HIV positive, she will need pap smears or other testing as determined in discussion with her health care provider.
The woman who is no longer having periods because she had a hysterectomy for reasons other than cancer, no longer needs to have pap smears.
This is the consortium agreement from the expert panels at the American Cancer Society, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the United States Preventative Services Task Force released in 2012.
The guidelines about how often pap smears should be done have been changing rapidly in the last decade. This is because of the explosion of information about the virus HPV that is largely, if not exclusively, responsible for changes in the cells of the cervix, or abnormal pap smears.
Finally, the Pap smear is a test about the health of the cervix only. The frequency of pap smears doesn't change a woman's need to take care of herself by having regular gynecological and breast examinations or discussions with her health care provider about her healthy lifestyle.
A woman who is no longer having menstrual periods, and has had normal pap smears and negative HPV tests, should continue to have pap smears every 5 years. She may stop having pap smears at age 65. If a woman has had abnormal pap smears or is HPV... More -
UCLA Health answered:Pap smears are generally part of routine annual exams, but guidelines change. Talk to your doctor for personal recommendations. Generally, a regularly scheduled pap smear can determine pre-cancerous conditions and any changes in reproductive organs. Many doctors still recommend an annual pap smear after menopause. However, new guidelines allow a pap smear every 3 years if there is no history of issues, and if you have tested negative for HPV.
Pap smears are generally part of routine annual exams, but guidelines change. Talk to your doctor for personal recommendations. Generally, a regularly scheduled pap smear can determine pre-cancerous conditions and any changes in reproductive organs.... More
