Think again! You may not need a Pap every year, but that doesn’t mean you can skip an exam. This video explains why.

Published: May 25, 2016 | Updated: November 4, 2024

It used to be that women had a Pap smear virtually every year. A Pap smear tests for abnormal precancerous cells in the cervix. New guidelines say most women no longer need a Pap every year — but that doesn’t mean you can skip your annual “well woman” OB/GYN visit.Cornelia Poston, M.D., OB/GYN, with Norton Women’s Specialists, explains why.

RELATED: Can you get a Pap smear or pelvic exam on your period?

READ MORE: What’s the right age to start getting Pap smear tests?

If you are due for an annual exam and don’t have an OB/GYN, find one here.