Unnecessary Pelvic Exams and Pap Tests in Asymptomatic, Nonpregnant Young Women

More than half of bimanual pelvic exams and 72% of Pap tests were deemed unnecessary in a nationally representative survey of women ages 15 to 20 years.

Current guidelines discourage bimanual pelvic exams (BPEs) in asymptomatic, nonpregnant women not using an intrauterine device (IUD) and recommend against screening for cancer with Papanicolaou (Pap) tests in women younger than 21. Using National Family Growth Survey data from 2011 to 2017, researchers assessed the prevalence of BPEs and Pap tests in women ages 15 to 20 years.

Of 3140 respondents included in the analysis, 22.9% received a BPE and 19.2% received a Pap test in the past year. The authors considered 54% of the BPEs potentially unnecessary (performed as part of a routine exam in patients who were not pregnant, not using an IUD, and not treated for a sexually transmitted infection [STI] in the past year) as well as 72% of the Pap …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Unnecessary Pelvic Exams and Pap Tests in Asymptomatic, Nonpregnant Young Women

Topics

Reviewing Author