The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released their pap smear guidelines calling for women to delay their screening until age 21. Dr. Todd Jenkins, with UAB, says women usually contract HPV during the first two years of sexual activity. He says the majority of women who contract the virus before age 21 will usually be rid of it in 8 to 24 months, without medication. Jenkins says if abnormal pap smears are found doctors tend to overtreat the young women, which could lead to problems in the reproductive years; like premature births. Dr. Jenkins says, "Our goal is to pick them up at 21, when they should have already cleared the virus. If they have not then they need to be evaluated and potentially treated."
