Do Women Need Pap Smears After Menopause?

Do women need regularly scheduled pap smears after menopause? A Baltimore gynecologic oncologist explains why it’s still so important.

The short answer from medical professionals is yes, always continue to check in with your doctor because OB/GYNs are women’s health doctors, not just for pap smears and pregnancies.

A pap smear is a screening tool for cervical cancer. According to Mercy gynecologic oncologist and surgeon Teresa P. Diaz-Montes, MD, MPH, FACOG, associate director of The Lya Segall Ovarian Cancer Institute and medical director of The Neil B. Rosenshein Institute for Gynecologic Care at Annapolis, getting these screenings after age 65 is even more important for those who are sexually active and have multiple partners. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and is linked to cervical cancer.

“If they are not sexually active, if they don't have any prior history of HPV exposure or being treated for any HPV problem, if they have a hysterectomy, then you can make a case that those patients don't need to be screened. However, I still recommend a woman to go see their gynecologist, even if they’re menopausal,” Dr. Diaz-Montes said.

Some symptoms patients should be aware of as an older woman include:

• Vaginal itching, discomfort or irritation
• Bleeding after menopause
• Bowel changes
• Abdominal distension

Dr. Diaz-Montes noted that these symptoms could be a sign of something more serious, which is why visiting your gynecologist yearly or even every other year is recommended. She noted that a pelvic exam doesn’t always include a pap smear.

View Mercy gynecologic oncologist and surgeon Dr. Teresa Diaz-Montes’ interview regarding pap smears after menopause.