A medical test that examines cells from a girl or woman’s cervix to determine whether there are any irregular cells that could indicate a pre-cancerous condition. During a pelvic exam, a gynecologist will gently rub the cervix with something similar to a tongue depressor (but smaller) to collect some of the cells near the opening to the cervix. These cells are placed on a slide and examined under a microscope at a lab.

Doctors recommend that young women make an appointment to see a gynecologist for a Pap test three years after first vaginal intercourse with a male partner or when they turn 21. Girls who have sex with girls should have a Pap test when they turn 21. Once a girl starts to have Pap tests, regardless of the gender of her partner, she should have them once a year after that.