What do medical organizations recommend?
A number of organizations have recommendations regarding when and how frequently a woman should have Pap smears. These guidelines differ slightly because each organization takes different factors into consideration. The guidelines are recommendations for you and your doctor to consider and discuss. In general, groups agree that you should have your first Pap smear at or before age 21: • The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends having your first Pap smear at age 21. • The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends having your first Pap smear about three years after first having sexual intercourse or at age 21, whichever comes first. • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes it’s not clear when to begin Pap smears, but points to evidence that recommends having your first Pap smear about three years after first having sexual intercourse or at age 21, whichever comes first. Groups’ guidelines differ for how often the tests should be done.
