Medical Author:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler’s educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Ask the experts
Is it necessary to have a Pap smear if you have had a hysterectomy?
Doctor’s response
In some types of hysterectomy, the entire uterus is removed, including the cervix (the opening to the uterus). The
Pap smear is primarily used to screen for cervical dysplasia (precancerous changes) and
cancer of the cervix, so if you have had your cervix removed, you usually won’t need to have regular Pap smears. In other types of hysterectomies, the cervix is left intact, and the portion of the uterus above the cervix is removed. In this case, the cervix is still present and
Pap smears are still required.
In the past, Pap smears were still recommended for women who had hysterectomies, as a way to screen for potential cancers of the vaginal wall, but these recommendations have changed based upon newer research. However, if a hysterectomy was performed because of a cervical cancer, or if there is a history of
human papillomavirus (the virus associated with cervical cancer) infection, Pap smears are generally still performed even after hysterectomy. The same holds true for women who have risk factors for lower genital tract (including vaginal) cancers, such as
sexually transmitted diseases, multiple sexual partners, or a change in immune system functioning.
Regular pelvic examinations and health screenings are still recommended for all women, including those who have had a hysterectomy.
Medically reviewed by John A. Daller, MD; American Board of Surgery with subspecialty certification in surgical critical care
REFERENCE:
“Screening for cervical cancer”
UpToDate.com
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 7/17/2017