https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:29:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760937 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 23:05:22 +0000 turquoisemama 2760937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: Oh that makes sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760900 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 19:09:46 +0000 MenagerieMama 2760900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@turquoisemama: There are very specific algorithms and guidelines to follow. It would depend on your age, HPV status and exact pathology. For most abnormal results, after a certain amount of normal screenings you can go back to a normal interval. But it depends on a lot of variables and it is very specific to your history. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760894 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 18:39:43 +0000 turquoisemama 2760894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: what is normal history? I had a Leep for medium grade abnormal cells(can't remember exactly what it was called) 5 years ago but my doctor still won't do any less 3 years in between. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760807 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 08:30:49 +0000 lilyofthewest 2760807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: :heart: yes, all this! I also wanted to chime in that cervical cancers are not genetic/familial. Family history and genetics are really important predictors of many types of cancer (including breast and ovarian cancers), but cervical cancers are overwhelmingly virally instigated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760790 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 22:47:33 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2760790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So far in the past few years (I think since the recs changed) I've had 3 OBs, and 2 of the 3 have done them yearly and my current one asked when the last I had one done was, which was right before I got pregnant, and took that as an ok answer..it sounds like she is also still doing them yearly. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760730 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 18:23:47 +0000 hellobeeboston 2760730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just started to see a new doc after having my kids and was surprised to hear that I'd be getting a pap only every 5 years... I don't have any family history, and I have a history of normal paps, but I think 5 years is a long time. Since this is a new doc I'm not sure her thoughts yet on testing more often.... My old doc thought it was better to do it more often.</p> <p>I would think with your family history you should get them annually! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760647 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 13:26:16 +0000 littlebug 2760647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a history of cervical lesions, so it'll be yearly for me. As of right now, insurance covers yearly with medical necessity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760554 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 09:13:43 +0000 Mamaof2 2760554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They will if you want but I am on the 3 yr plan since I don't have any issues </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760530 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 08:19:29 +0000 kayla0416 2760530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My last 2 paps have come back showing "epithelial cell abnormality", so I have to do them yearly. My OB says this is very common and nothing to worry about, but it's better to be safe than sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760519 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 07:14:54 +0000 travellingbee 2760519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always gotten them every year, but I had an irregular one 15 years ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760483 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 20:34:07 +0000 catomd00 2760483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on every 3 years right now. The recommendations re based on evidence and with no other risk factors, i am not concerned. The recommendations are made based on very comprehensive reviews of the evidence and literature. I'm very much against unnecessary and wasteful defensive medicine, though given the field I work in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760468 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 19:13:33 +0000 MenagerieMama 2760468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every year if you have a normal history increases your risk of unnecessary biopsies and the resulting harms. The guidelines were changed for evidenced based reasons. We have had a lot advances in research on the causes of cervical cancer and HPV and also testing for HPV. The guidelines have not been for yearly paps for &gt;6 years. I do paps frequently for my patients and refuse annual paps unless the patient's personal history necessitates it. I follow evidence based guidelines and do not want to cause harm by doing unnecessary procedures/tests. Think of it like wanting a colonoscopy every year instead of the longer recommended interval - you're just opening yourself up to more chances for harm than having the benefits that you're supposed to get. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760411 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:13:12 +0000 catlady 2760411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine is every 3 (or maybe even 5 now?) but last time I saw my PCP, she offered one if I wanted. So I think it was optional. I have no risk factors, no family history, have never had an abnormal result, AND just had one last year, so I declined. But I can understand why some women would want them more frequently. Definitely bring up your family history to your OB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760402 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:54:03 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2760402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's every three years here... I think you can get them done more but have to pay, I believe that's what my friend opted to do. (Canada) </p> <p>If you have a history I would push for yearly for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760393 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:36:50 +0000 lawbee11 2760393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB still does them yearly. As long as insurance continues to cover it I'll have them yearly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760386 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:21:29 +0000 meredithNYC 2760386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get one every year. No family history, but I have had a few abnormal pap results and I don't want to risk it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760381 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:17:56 +0000 nana87 2760381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My ob does it every year and it's covered by insurance. Did you discuss family history with your dr? I have a family history of breast cancer on both sides of my fam so my ob started doing mammograms early for me to be cautious, I would imagine it would be similar </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760379 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:13:16 +0000 littlejoy 2760379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With a family history, you can absolutely do yearly paps. I will stick with every 3 years until a certain age, since I've had no history (myself or family) of irregular paps. Insurance will still cover them yearly.</p> <p>My midwife will do it yearly. I do get a yearly breast exam/well-woman exam, and she asks if I want a pap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760363 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 13:32:08 +0000 avivoca 2760363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I had an abnormal pap 10 years ago and i do not want to take chances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760351 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 13:03:43 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2760351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB does them every 3 years which does worry me. I might request at my next visit to have one done as I know my insurance covers yearly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760347 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 12:59:09 +0000 Meowkers 2760347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get them yearly and they are covered by insurance. I have no significant family history. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760335 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 12:46:27 +0000 mrskansas 2760335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I requested to get them done yearly and my OB said that was standard. It is covered 100% by my insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760331 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 12:39:39 +0000 MaryM 2760331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started seeing my OB last pregnancy. Because it was rather high risk and I'd had one the year before and had no family history of cervical cancer, he said we could wait another year. He doesn't understand why some OBs do them when women are pregnant because they can cause spotting and worry. </p> <p>I had no history, so I was happy with that. I think history should definitely be taken into account though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pap-smear-regularity-will-your-ob-do-yearly#post-2760329 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 12:33:58 +0000 DesertDreams88 2760329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The new recommendations for getting Paps are every 3-5 years, dependent on history. I am seeing a new OB bc my previous one retired, and she offhandly said that I'd be doing Paps every 3 years. </p> <p>I don't *love* this idea - I understand why the new recs exist, but my grandmother died of cervical cancer at age 38, when my dad was only 3. It was the 1961, so I know detection was light years behind where we are now, but still. I personally know 6 people who had cancer in their 20s/30s and it just freaks me out (not cervical, though). 4 of died. </p> <p>If you've asked, has your OB been willing to do a yearly Pap? Has your insurance covered it?</p> <p>ETA: I'm fine with denying them during pregnancy bc I don't want spotting, but I'd like to get it done yearly outside of pregnancy. </p>