Annual Pap tests? For some in U.S., old habits die hard

[FUZO]

TweetCHICAGO (Reuters) - An increasing number of younger women in the United States are delaying their first Pap test for cervical cancer until after they reach 21, reflecting new U.S. guidelines, health officials said on Thursday.

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[bandaidwoman]

TweetWOmen 30 and older, get tested for HPV with their paps, if it is negative, they can just get a pap every 3 years, women less than 30, can get infected with HPV bu will most likely spontaneously clear HPV so we don't check it in those women unless their pap smear comes back normal. IF normal, they can also be checked every 2-3 yrs, rather than every year unless they are high risk ( HIV positive). Even with a hysterectomy, a woman needs a pelvic exam every year, especially if they still have their ovaries. I wonder if they are confusing yearly pelvics with pap smears....

[bandaidwoman]

Tweetfor the record, more and more women are getting supracervical or cervical sparing hysterectomies. THe theory is this preserves the normal anatomy so there is less cystocele development in the future. ALso, sexual function is preserved as when a woman orgasms, her pelvic ligaments, when attached to the cervix "tent" up . Lots of hysterectomized women develop orgrasm problems after a traditionall hysterectomy. These women still need paps at the regular duration.. I see more and more of these women.