Los Angeles District



Pap Smear Main


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 Know if you are at
more risk and
may need more
frequent pap smears


If your tests have abnormal results, or if you have had cancer of the reproductive organs, your clinician may ask you to get a pap smear more often. There are other people who may need more frequent testing:

  • Women who have genital warts or the human papilloma virus (HPV).
  • Women infected with HIV or who have AIDS
  • Women who have had sex before age 18.
  • Women who have had more than one sexual partner or a partner who has had multiple partners
  • Women who smoke or who are exposed to second hand smoke.

Women who have had hysterectomies or who are virgins should ask their clinician how often they need to have pap smears.