“On a recent visit to my family practice doctor she told me that a yearly Pap test is no longer necessary. She said that once every 3 years is now the standard. Would you check with your experts about this?" Cortland
According to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, this is true but under certain conditions. For example, if you are over the age of 30 and have had normal Pap smears during the past three years AND they were HPV negative, then you don't need a Pap test except every two to three years.
Also, if you've had a total hysterectomy and your previous Pap smears were normal, you don't need them ever again, unless there is a problem.
And, women older than 70 whose previous Pap smears were normal the past two to three years do not need any more Pap tests.
