When Should a Teen Get Her First Pap Smear?

According to Kristie Leong, MD: "The guidelines for PAP smear testing have recently changed. Find out at what age a teen should get her first PAP smear – and how often women in their young adult years need this test.

Pap smears are a vital screening tool for diagnosing cervical cancer – and it’s important that all women, young and old, follow the recommended guidelines for getting this exam – to protect their health. When is the best time to start? A year ago, the guidelines for when a teen should get their first PAP smear were changed by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Here’s what the new guidelines say.

At What Age Should Teens get a First PAP Smear Test?

The new American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines recommends that teens get their first PAP smear at age 21. Previously, the recommendation was for teens to get a first PAP smear three years after becoming sexually active – or no later than age twenty-one.

Read more: When Should a Teen Get Her First Pap Smear?