Guidelines generally recommend that women start getting Pap tests at age 21, regardless of sexual activity. Women aged 21 to 29 should have a Pap test every three years. From age 30 to 65, women should have a Pap test combined with an HPV test (co-testing) every five years or a Pap test alone every three years. Women over 65 who have had regular screenings with normal results may no longer need testing.
