What is the recommended age for a woman to begin having annual Pap smears?

The recommended age for a woman to begin having annual Pap smears is 21 years old. This guideline is based on evidence that cervical cancer is rare in women younger than 21, and thus starting screenings at this age allows for effective monitoring of cervical health without unnecessary interventions.

At age 21, women are advised to begin cervical cancer screening using Pap smears every three years. This approach balances the need for early detection of cervical abnormalities while minimizing potential over-treatment and anxiety from following up on abnormal results in younger women who may have transient changes that could resolve on their own.

As sexual activity and exposure to HPV are factors that can increase the risk of cervical changes, this guideline also takes into account that the majority of sexually active women by age 21 will have had the opportunity for these screenings to catch any abnormalities early, ensuring better management of their health moving forward.