From the Guidelines
Pap smears are generally not recommended for women who have never been sexually active until age 21, regardless of sexual activity status. After age 21, all women should begin cervical cancer screening with Pap tests every 3 years, even if they have never been sexually active 1. While HPV infection, the primary cause of cervical cancer, is typically transmitted through sexual contact, other rare transmission routes exist, and some cervical cancers develop without HPV. The screening procedure involves collecting cells from the cervix using a speculum examination. For never sexually active women, healthcare providers may use smaller speculums and take special care to minimize discomfort. These patients should communicate their sexual history to their provider before the exam so appropriate accommodations can be made. Though the first Pap smear may cause anxiety, the procedure is brief and essential for detecting precancerous changes early, when treatment is most effective. Regular screening according to age-appropriate guidelines is important for all women regardless of sexual history. Some key points to consider include:
- Women younger than 21 years should not be screened, regardless of their age of sexual initiation 1.
- Women aged 21 to 29 years should receive cytology screening every 3 years with either conventional cervical cytology smears or liquid-based cytology 1.
- For women aged 30 to 65 years, the preferred approach is to be screened every 5 years with the combination of HPV testing and cytology (“cotesting”) 1.
- Women should discontinue screening after age 65 years if they have had 3 consecutive negative cytology tests or 2 consecutive negative cotest results within the 10-year period prior to ceasing screening, with the most recent test occurring within the last 5 years 1. It is essential to follow the guidelines and recommendations from reputable sources, such as the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force, to ensure the best outcomes for patients 1.
From the Research
Pap Smear in Never Sexually Active Women
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question as the provided studies do not specifically address the use of Pap smears in never sexually active women.
- The studies provided focus on the use of Pap smears in sexually active women, with some studies examining the correlation between Pap smear results and HPV infection 2, 3.
- Other studies compare the effectiveness of Pap smears with other screening methods, such as colposcopy and HPV testing, in detecting cervical cancer and precancerous lesions 4, 5, 6.
- However, none of the studies provide information on the use of Pap smears in never sexually active women, making it difficult to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of Pap smears in this population.