all women can make their own decision on when or even whether they have a pelvic examination and a pap smear -- these are two very different procedures. a pelvic exam is more than just a visual inspection of the cervix and external genitalia there is a bimanual componet to feel for masses benign tumors cancers ovarian abnormalities enlarged uterus etc. the pap smear is primarily for cancer or precancerous lesions. there are no good substitutes for either one. they are not just for women at risk. periodic pelvics and pap smears are for all women. they don't have to be annual anymore. if you have a series of negative paps and do not have an genetic familial or medical risk factors they can be less often. discuss this with your gynecologist.
what alternatives are available to the regular pelvic exam for women? . i was wondering whether there is a reliable self administered test one could use to test for hpv and cancerous and precancerous cells. in addition given the relationship between hpv and cervical cancer is a pap smear even necessary if one knows they do not have cervical cancer at the moment and are not participating in any kind of sexual behavior that would expose them to the disease i. e. a change in sexual partners.