Do I need a Pap after a hysterectomy?

Do I need to have a pap smear if I've had a complete hysterectomy?

Yes. Especially if you had cancer. Usual paps are every 3 months for first 2 years..then every 6 months for the next 3 years.
My sister had a complete hysterectomy with no cancer and she has a yearly pap. Sometimes you can have abnormal cells show up. Abnormal is not always bad but need to keep close watch.

Doctors differ on this, initially after my tah/bso I had a pap annually. Now my doc says every three years provided that all my previous paps have been clear, which they have been. Jut had one the other day as I noticed some strange things going on, and it's been three years since my last one. I think it's better to be safe than sorry. Most insurance covers the pap as part of the annual well woman exam.

Yes..that's true. Dr's do differ. My regular GP thinks after a certain age it isn't necessay at all.
Will find out what the Gyn says once I get past the 5 year mark.
Think my sister was at the 2 or 3 year interval till the abnormal pap ...now it's yearly for a while.
Good luck with your results..hopefully everything is good.
Hugs!

My dr told me yes you need a smear test every year, I'm naughty I go every other year! Mind you I had my op for fibroids and heavy bleeding. Good luck!

My doctor said I didn't need to. I have no cervix so there is no need for a pap smear. I'm 51 and there was no cancer.

If you've had a complete hysterectomy, and have no or uterus, what DO they smear?
Colleen

	Quote:
Originally Posted by eklkel If you've had a complete hysterectomy, and have no or uterus, what DO they smear? Colleen

My own doc still tells me to have a smear, overcautious I guess!

Doctors do differ on this issue. The OB/GYN who performed my TVH said no more pap smears. My GP believes I should still have them, especially since I have had on and off spotting for several years now.

Until the spotting started, my GP and I agreed on a two-year cycle, since I've never had an abnormal pap smear. Since the spotting started and once all possibilities of something nasty going on were ruled out, we've agree to have them every year.

Trying to Find Answers Too

I've been searching for answers to this question recently. I had a total hysterectomy in '86 for ovarian cancer. Always had a PAP since even though my pre-cancer PAP was normal. Last summer's PAP was very painful. Hate to go through it again but I want to be smart about it. It sounds like it's a personal choice unless you've had cervical cancer.