According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a pap smear every two to three years . Yet most women don’t know that.
“I’m pretty sure they recommend you go for the first official visit at age 21,” human development and family studies junior Shelby Moorman said.
“I think you’re supposed to go to the gynecologist yearly,” said advertising junior Amy Ruimveld .
Doctor Stephanie Fleming at Alliance Obstetrics and Gynecology said some women have to be screened more frequently because they have certain risk factors.
Getting regular pap smears can prevent progression of a vaginal infection or sexually transmitted disease which could affect your future fertility, such as the HPV virus.
With each new sexual partner, the risk of getting human papillomavirus, or HPV, increases by 15 percent .
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States — more than half the population will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Most infections don’t cause symptoms and go away on their own; HPV types 16 and 18, however, can cause cervical cancer .
Cervical cancer is most prevalent in women who do not get pap smears according to recommended guidelines.
Those guidelines changed in March 2013 , after new research suggested cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21.
Most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer have not had a pap smear in five or more years. Often, those women are at an advanced stage of cancer when they receive the diagnosis.
But cervical cancer is not the only reason for regular check-ups at the gynecologist.
“Young women have the misconception that if they go to the gynecologist they are automatically going to have a pelvic examination,” Fleming said.
In reality, routine exams prior to age 21 and visits to request birth control do not require a pelvic exam, though one may be recommended based on separate issues.
Fleming said it’s important for women to know their body — to know their menstrual cycle, their breasts and their ideal body weight so that they can work with their doctor on making healthy choices.
“We only have this one body, and we each have to take responsibility for making it the best we can,” Fleming said.
