Pap smears for women who have had a hysterectomy

Always talk to your doctor about whether you need to continue having Pap smears. This will depend partly on what type of hysterectomy you had and why.

Subtotal hysterectomy

This is where only the uterus (womb) is removed, leaving the cervix in place.

• In this case you still need to have regular Pap smears.

Total hysterectomy

This is where the entire uterus including the cervix is removed. In some cases the surgeon will also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. When the cervix has been removed the top of the vagina is called the vault.

You need to have regular tests called vault smears if:

• the hysterectomy was performed because of cancer
• abnormal cells were found on the cervix at the time of surgery
• you don’t know why you had the hysterectomy
• you have had severe abnormal Pap smear results in the past

Women can have hysterectomies because of:

• abnormal bleeding
• prolapse, where the uterus falls down from its normal position
• benign tumours, such as fibroids
• damage to the uterus, during childbirth or surgical procedures
• gynaecological cancer

If you are unsure if you need to have Pap smears or vault smears, talk to your doctor.

More information:

» What is a Pap smear?
» Why are Pap smears important?
» Where to have a Pap smear