Are
Pap Smears Necessary For Virgin Women?
Pap smears are often unnecessary
for true virgin women unless they have
smoked in the past (based on some studies) or their mother took
DES
(also known as diethylstilbestrol) during pregnancy between
1938 - 1971 to prevent miscarriage and premature delivery. In
most cases, cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted
disease, human papillomavirus (HPV). About 99% of cervical cancer
cases are caused by HPV. In rare cases, HPV can also be transmitted
during childbirth from mother to baby. Even if babies get the
HPV virus, their bodies usually clear the virus on their own.
Many young women who say that
they are virgins may be "technical" virgins meaning
they have never had sexual intercourse, but they have done other
things such as petting, oral sex, skin to skin contact with
genitals, and anal sex that put them at risk of contracting
HPV. Genital contact without penetration can cause HPV.
Why is it recommended
that pap smears start at age of 21 regardless of sexual activity?
It seems that the main reason
that the guidelines suggest that pap smears should start at
age 21 for women regardless of sexual history is because women
are not always honest about their sexual relationships. It is
difficult for a provider to ensure that they have the accurate
sexual history of a patient. But providers should keep in mind
that many women are honest about their sexual history.
Other Related Articles:
Why HPV Vaccine Should
Be Avoided?
Truth
About Pap Smears
Sources:
Cervical
Cancer and DES Exposure
HPV
and Pregnancy
Medical Disclaimer: The
information on this web site is for educational purposes only.
It is not intended in any manner as professional medical advice.
You should consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness
of the information on articles about medical procedures for
your own situation, or if you have questions or issues regarding
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