No. Recent recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state that teens and young women do not need annual Pap tests, regardless of whether they are sexually active.
Girls under the age of 21 are at extremely low risk for cervical cancer, which is the primary reason for getting a Pap test. And in fact, early screenings may do more harm than good, because they can create false positives and lead to unnecessary follow-up procedures at a rate astronomically higher than the actual risk of getting cervical cancer. So following the medical creed “First do no harm,” having teen girls undergo the test is counterproductive.
See also:
- When Do Children Start Puberty?
- Late Puberty in Boys & Girls
- Stages of Puberty
- Understanding Your Child As They Go Through Puberty & What To Expect
- Puberty & A Child’s Brain Development
- Puberty in Boys
- Early Puberty in Boys
- Unusual Breast Growth in Boys
- Puberty In Girls
- Breast Growth & Development in Girls
- Menstruation & Periods: A Guide for Girls & Their Parents
- Early Puberty in Girls
- Helping Girls Through Early Puberty
- How To Prevent Early Puberty In girls
- Do teenage girls need a pap smear test?
- Talking To Kids About Puberty
- Helping Your Child Through Puberty: A Guide for Parents
- Dealing With Puberty: Confronting Your Own Feelings
- References & Citation