how often for pap smear
Doctors generally recommend repeating Pap testing every 3 years for women ages 21-65. Women age 30 and older can consider Pap testing every 5 years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV. If you have certain risk factors, your doctor may recommend more-frequent Pap smears, regardless of your age. These risk factors include: 1  A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells. 2  Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth. 3  HIV infection.