Every 2 years?? Then every 3?!

[missjebbit.livejournal.com]

I just called to make my yearly gynegologist appointment and was told I can still go in for an exam and to get my pills renewed but pap smears are only every 2 years as long as your tests are coming back okay. Then once you're in your 30s it's every three years! Shouldn't it be MORE often as we age?? Pal smears aren't pleasant but at least I know on a yearly basis I am healthy down there. I'm angry about this. Surely I can request it every year if I want? But I doubt my insurance will pay for it to be done yearly.

Anyone else upset about this?? I like knowing the ole hooha is doin what it's supposed
to :(

Comments

[cozmic-oceanz.livejournal.com]

wait, so what if you have a new partner soon after getting a pap smear and had unprotected sex? your insurance won't pay for getting tested unless it's two years later??

[eunicemcgee.livejournal.com]

Well, HPV is so slow to cause serious changes, that even if she had a pap smear, then a new partner immediately, three years later really shouldn't be an issue despite the new partner. You're still going to catch any abnormalities far in advance of them becoming a serious issue. Especially in the US where pap smears are done so overly-frequently anyway, I imagine if you told your doctor that you had a new partner and would prefer to be tested every other year or even every year instead of every three, they'd probably explain the logic behind the recommended schedule but still ultimately let you determine when to get tested.