Should I get a pap??

Question

I'm 20 years old, sexually active for 3 years, on the Pill, but I have taken the Gardasil vaccine. Should I get a pap done? I'm terrified and I am pretty sure I could never work up the courage, but if I should I guess I should. The doctor has never bothered me about it but all my friends have had it. I'm the only one who has the vaccine though, so maybe I don't have to because it's impossible to for me to get cervical cancer.

Answer 1

WRONG.....Gardasil does not prevent cervical cancer. You still need to have annual pap smears.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV.

http://www.gardasil.com/

Answer 2

It's not impossible to get cervical cancer because you took Gardasil. Gardasil does not protect against every strain of the virus, and some of the strains you are unprotected against do cause cancer.

Other things are also checked when a PAP is performed, so I would suggest that any sexually active female get one done annually.  

Answer 3

Go get your pap done.  It will give you peace of mind.

Answer 4

Since you are sexually active, you need an gyn exam and a pap test every year.

You will get used to it and it is so important in maintaining your reproductive and sexual health.

Gardasil only covers some cervical cancers.

And there is more to look at than just your cervical area.

Answer 5

Yes! You should start having paps either as soon as you start having s*x or when you turn 18, whichever comes first. There are other ways to get cervical cancer, even without warts, and even then Gardasil only protects against some strains. Definitely get one - it's something that you should be doing yearly at this point.

Answer 6

Yes, you need to get PAP smears yearly.  Gardisil only protects against certain strains of HPV.  PAP smears are early detection, and can keep you from getting cancer if you start treatment early enough.

I believe Gardisil is actually going to end up increasing cervical cancer rates if there are enough women who think they don't need PAP smears anymore.

I'm actually surprised your doctor gives you birth control pills without yearly PAPs.  I thought it was standard practice to require them before renewing the prescription.

Answer 7

First off you should deff be recieving a pap, and your dr should not have let you be on the pill until you had one.  Everyone who is atleast 18 years old, and if you are sexually active for sure needs one done yearly.  STDS are on a rise and so are cervical, ovarian cancer.  Also, cyts on your ovaries are very common and if left untreated can become very painful and serious.  (I know first hand)  No one likes to go to the gyno by any means but its like 10 mins and your good to go for a year and have a better self understanding.  Just because you have had the vaccine does not mean you can not recieve STDS, cysts, or even have something seriously wrong with your ovaries or girl parts in general.