Pap Smears After Hysterectomy: Do You Still Need Them?

After a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), the cervix is usually also removed. The cervix is where the pap smear is taken to detect cervical cancer. Since the cervix is no longer present, a pap smear is no longer necessary.

However, if the cervix was not removed during the hysterectomy (subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy), then pap smears should still be continued as recommended by your doctor.