How often to have a pap/smear test?

[not_talula]

I'd be really interested to hear what you've read and what your doctors have told you about this.

My problem is that I'm an ex-pat in Germany - I don't know what the medical norms are here, and I sometimes have the feeling that, because I'm privately insured, doctors are sometimes over-enthusastic to test me for things (!!).

I come from the UK where, under the National Health Service, women normally have a pap/smear once every 3 years. All the websites I find which are UK-based say that there is no medical reason to do it more often than that. But then, the NHS can't afford to do much at all these days, so who knows??

When I first came over to Germany, my gynaecologist here told me the norm was to carry out a smear once a year. I accepted this, espeically as my boyfriend's sister - an MD - backed it up. But now I've got a new gynaecologist and she's telling me every woman needs a complete internal examination and smear once every SIX MONTHS *cough!*.

I'm in no way medically trained, but this seems excessive to me, and I'm angry with myself that I couldn't stand up to this doctor and question what she was saying. I'm also sick of constantly paying medical bills when I'm a young and fundmentally healthy person!!

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[Fray]

woah! I'm not a medic or anything but 6 months does seem excessive to me.

I wonder how much Dan knows about this subject (our brainy-medic mod in the Health Forum). He will hopefully see this thread and post.

I still get mine done every 3 years on the NHS. One of my friends has several cases of abnormal cells in her "family smear history" so the NHS test her every 18 months.

Also, the NHS has put up the initial testing age from 20, to 25. Not sure why that was.

I just read that some American organisations recommend yearly if you are under 30.

Still, I guess that would give more peace of mind than the UK 3 yearly.

*waits for Dan*

[eurotrash]

In the US, the norm is to have it done once a year. In fact, most doctors (including those at planned parenthood) will not renew your b.c. prescription without a full pelvic.

It sounds to me like the UK is cutting down on costs by raising the age (excluding those who are least likely to have cancer or abnormal results) and decreasing the frequency (three years seems like SOOO long to wait; diseases can crop up quickly).

However, every six months does seem a bit excessive, unless you have a history of abnromal smears, or a lot of cancer in the family and are over 30.

[Master Shaman]

Well, it's different from country to country, which means there is no definite consensus about the matter. I think once a year is reasonable.

[candy apple red]

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[RedHead]

Once a year is the norm generally in the US. When I worked at a family planning clinic, they recommended women who were in the "at-risk" age group to be given a pap smear once every six months like you mentioned. This was done because in the population we served, these women were consistently engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners and therefore at increased risk for HPV, the virus that can lead to cervical cancer. So, if you feel you are not at risk, ask to only have test once a year. Your doctor may feel you are at rosk because of your age (young twenties) or marital status (single).

[jeth]

Once a year is the norm here unless you present with problems or symptoms - then you might have to get checked more often.

[Leroy Brown]

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