Annual since I was 23. I'm 52 now.

I think it is annually unless you have had a hysterectomy.

I know they say it is every year and I have been going every year but I had read some time ago that if you don't have any probs that every 2 years would be ok. Just wanting to know if other go less than every year.

I don't remember what I have read, but there is something to what you are saying. No problems may be one thing, and no sex at all may also be a factor. Even without a Pap smear, they have to check the rest of the plumbing, so they might as well just check it out, I guess. I'm going to start a new post that sort of relates to this.
Sammy

I asked this year and my doc said annual, no matter what.

Thin PAP every December! :)

the thing about pap smears is its a game of chance and statistics - a pap smear has a 5% to 30% chance of a false negative result (thats missing abnormal cells ) - so if you go once a year then statistically you are reducing the chances of getting a false positive (ie. 3 consecutive tests in a row are highly unlikely to be false positives)

My experience is that the doctors say every year. The insurance companies say every 2 years. Hmmm.....

Susan

What is so discouraging is a pap smear will only show cancer of the cervex. It does not show any other type. I even had a vaginal ultrasound on the 8th of August and it did not pick up this cancer. I just don't get what good they are if they can't detect much. Very costly also.

However, that being said I do believe every year an exam is in order. Without it nothing could be caught.