Pap smear guidelines - when should your first one be, and then how often?

Age 21: The current guidelines state the 1st pap smear should be at age 21, and that from age 21-29 it should be repeated every 3 years. Women age 30-65 should have a pap and hpv testing every 5 years. These guidelines only apply if the tests are normal. Even if it is not time for a pap, women should seen their gyn yearly. Many gyn's are not comfortable with these guidelines and pap more frequently.

Recent changes: A woman should have her first pap test at age 21, and every 3 years after that. Beginning at age 30, screening for hpv is added to the pap test.