? About PAP smears

[Twink]

At what age should a female have her first and also how often should she have one? What if the female is not nor will be sexually active? Does that change anything??

Twink

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Twink---

The usual age to start Pap smears is 18 if a woman is not sexually active, and any age if she is. (Some authorities say it's OK to wait until age 20 if the woman is still a virgin, however.)

Whatever age you start, the recommendation for healthy girls and women is to have this done annually until you have three consecutive normal tests; after that, it can be done every three years until menopause. If you're at high risk for cervical cancer, however, it's best to continue with the annual exams throughout your life. Some of these risks include early age at first intercourse, the presence of genital warts, and family history.

Hope this answers your questions.:)

[Twink]

Thanks! You confirmed what I believed to be true. I currently have two clients that are lable "mildly mentally handicapped" both see the same GP and both have been refused requests for a PAP because "You are not sexually active" so I wondered if my info needed updated!

Thanks

Twink

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

You're welcome!:)

[obeyacts2]

I agree with the other posters recommendations regarding annual exams, but as a caregiver who got her start in working with the developmentally disabled, I think for this population it is even MORE important to get a annaul exam regardless of sexual activity for the simple reaon that there is a huge incidence of sexual abuse. When I worked with DD clients, the childbearing age ladies were always on BC pills or Depo, for this reason. An annual exam would probably uncover this sort of thing. Anybody seen Law & Order SVU lately? they had this exact storyline last week. Downs syndrome turned up pg and couldnt explain what happened or who with because she hadnt been educated at to the facts of life.

Laura