A. A trick question!! I say that because of the 4 obstetricians I have spoken with about this subject, I get 4 different answers. Here's the story:
The reason we do Pap tests is to screen asymptomatic women (ie. those with no symptoms at all) for cancer of the cervix. Once a woman has had a hysterectomy (removal of her uterus-presumably including her cervix-plus or minus her fallopian tubes and ovaries), the question arises, does she need a Pap test anymore?
ON ONE HAND:
ON THE OTHER HAND:
In some ways, it depends also on why the hysterectomy was performed in the first place. Although I have yet to find clear guidelines, most doctors would agree that if the hysterectomy was done to remove a cancer, yearly Pap tests should be continued to test the vaginal walls for vaginal cancer (uncommon, but possible). Other women have hysterectomy performed for much more benign reasons, such as excessive bleeding.
So, as you can see, it's not so black and white. As for my own practice, I do Pap tests every 5 years on a woman who has had a hysterectomy. But more importantly, if she still has her ovaries, she gets a pelvic exam once a year.
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