Planned Parenthood

Someone asked us:

hi there! i really want to go on birth control for a variety of reasons, but my mom is telling me that in order for me to get it that i have to have a pap smear. now, i’m a virgin. i’ve never heard of any one having to have a pap smear before getting birth control, especially if they’re a virgin. could it be necessary for me to have a pap smear prior to receiving birth control?

What your mom said used to be true (i.e., she means well!), but times have changed. Today, you may be able to get prescribed birth control without any kind of pelvic exam (which is when a Pap test would take place).

Today’s medical experts recommend that women start getting pelvic exams at age 21. But you can go see a gynecologist anytime before then for birth control, STD testing, or just to ask questions and talk about any concerns you have. All you need to get birth control is a conversation with a health care provider and a blood pressure check, assuming you don’t have any risk factors. Keep in mind that while there’s no medical reason why you need a Pap to get birth control, there are definitely still providers out there who do still require it for one reason or another. You can always call ahead and ask what their policies are about that.

And in case your mom needs to be convinced from a source other than Tumblr , here’s up-to-date information about the pelvic exam (and Pap test) guidelines, for you guys to read through together! 

-Mary at Planned Parenthood