When Should You Get Your First Pap Smear?

One of the best ways people with vaginas can take care of their bodies is by getting Pap smears. But when should you get your first one? Here’s what the guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say. 

But first: what’s a Pap smear? According to the National Cancer Institute, a Pap smear is a screening where a medical provider “removes cells from the surface of the cervix and the area around it so they can be checked under a microscope for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.” This type of test is important because if cervical cancer caught is early enough, it’s easier to treat. 

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines note that Pap smears usually begin around age 21 and then screenings occur every three years. How often a person needs screenings does change, usually based on things like medical history and age.

Now that a new school year is about to begin, consider incorporating a Pap test into your “back to school” routine. For specific answers to your Pap smear and HPV-related questions, make an appointment to talk to a provider at your nearest The Right Time health center.

PS: For free or low-cost access to all the methods of birth control, make an appointment to talk to a provider at your nearest The Right Time health center.