Pap Smear Guidelines From the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Pap tests, otherwise known as Pap smears, are an important part of a woman's health care regimen. Pap tests can detect abnormal cell development, which could be indicative of certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or precancerous cells. The earlier that a Pap test can detect this, the better the prognosis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) sets its guidelines based on a woman's age and health.

Young Women

• Generally the ACOG doesn't recommend Pap tests for women under the age of 21. However, Pap tests are encouraged if you are sexually active. So, if you are under 21 years of age and you have engaged in sexual activity, you should see a health care provider for a proper screening.

  You should undergo this test and STD screenings on a yearly basis. If you are not sexually active but are bothered by lower abdominal or pelvic pain, yeast infections or irregular menstrual cycles, you should also schedule yearly exams to look for underlying medical conditions.

Ages 21 to 29

• Once you turn 21, regardless of your sexual history, you should have yearly pelvic exams and Pap tests to screen for cancer and STDs. This should be a standing annual appointment until you are 30 years of age. Women in this age group are at the highest risk of contracting human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that in some high-risk cases can lead to cervical cancer.

  A Pap test will indicate whether your cervical cells are normal or abnormal. An abnormal test does not always indicate the presence of HPV. But to rule out this possibility, you should have another Pap test in six months and continue this until you have three normal results. You need yearly Pap tests even if you are not sexually active, because you could still develop cervical cancer.

Ages 30 to 64

• If you have a three-year record of normal results from your Pap tests and you have had no history of problems with your immune system and no other medical conditions that require the test, your doctor may recommend Pap tests every two or three years, instead of on an annual basis.

  You should continue to have yearly pelvic exams. The ACOG recommends yearly testing for HIV and screenings for STDs, at your discretion. Even if you are not sexually active or you have gone through menopause, you should continue to have your Pap tests on the schedule that you and your doctor have discussed.

Older Than 65

• The ACOG guidelines state that when women turn 65 they no longer need Pap tests as part of their yearly gynecological exams-- as long as they have had three consecutive tests that were normal, no abnormal Pap tests within the past 10 years, no history of cervical cancer or high-risk HPV, and have not recently contracted a new STD.