A Pap smear, or Pap test, is a screening test for cervical cancer. It's part of routine preventive care for anyone with a cervix.
In the last few years, improvements in Pap tests have led to changes in the guidelines for performing them. If you're between the ages of 21 and 65, UPMC now recommends you get a Pap smear every three to five years. But your doctor may suggest a different timeline based on your personal health needs.
Although yearly Pap smears are no longer recommended, it's still important to schedule a well-woman exam with your doctor or ob-gyn.
A Pap smear test is a way to look for cells in your cervix that may be cancerous or pre-cancerous. Anyone with a cervix is at risk for getting cervical cancer.
A Pap smear may also help find other conditions, such as infections or inflammation.
Your doctor or health care provider collects these cells from your cervix and sends them to a lab to look at under a microscope.
For the most part, doctors do Pap smears as part of a pelvic exam — although not all pelvic exams include a Pap test.
When Pap smears happen along with testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV), we call this co-testing. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says you should start having cervical cancer screenings at age 21.
You should have both Pap smears and HPV tests regularly. Doctors often do them at the same time.
Between the ages of 21 and 29, you should have a Pap test every three to five years. For this age group, ACOG doesn't recommend co-testing, just a Pap test alone.
Between the ages of 30 and 65, you can have a co-test every five years.
Or, you can have:
If you have risk factors, or you have an abnormal Pap result, your doctor may advise more frequent screening. If you have questions about your coverage, we recommend you talk to your insurance provider.
Pap smears can catch cervical cancer early, often even before it starts. This cancer develops slowly, and is most often caused by HPV.
If you have a cervix, a Pap smear is an important part of regular preventive care.
Before a Pap smear
You should avoid having a Pap smear while you're on your period. If you can, schedule the test at least five days after the last day of your period.
Your doctor may give you guidelines for what to avoid before your test.
A Pap smear usually happens during a pelvic exam.
You'll lie down on a special exam table that has stirrups for your feet.
Your doctor will:
During a Pap smear, it's common for a nurse or medical assistant to be in the room with the doctor. If a nurse or chaperone isn't present, you can ask for one.
You can also ask that no one else be in the room.
Or, you can ask for your friend, partner, or family member to be in the room with you.
You may feel mild discomfort when the doctor inserts the speculum and swabs your cervix, but it shouldn't be painful.
Let your provider know if you feel pain.
Depending on the lab, you'll get the results of your Pap smear within hours or days.
There are four possible results:
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-09-05.
