Home HPV Test (Human Papilloma Virus) for Women

This is a home HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) for women. It is done using a vaginal swab.

Why do this test? 

HPV is usually a silent infection so screening is useful to detect it. It can cause minor problems such as genital warts. However, HPV can also cause abnormal changes in the cells which can lead to cancer. HPV is the cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer in women. It can also cause vulval or vaginal cancer.

There is a high level of reliability of self-collected vaginal samples by women comparable to those collected by doctors from the cervix. It is not meant to replace existing screening protocols and management. However, women may want to do a home HPV test for a number of reasons:

> testing after change of a sexual partner

> identifying individual high risk HPV DNA subtypes

> personal preference to self-collect vaginal samples

> an acceptable option for women wanting to avoid having a cervical smear

 You will be sent a home HPV test kit which contains instructions and all that you need to collect a sample. The home HPV test kit also contains a postage-paid envelope with which you can return your sample to the laboratory for testing. Please note that this is not an instant test and you will not be able to get a result at home. 

Results: 

Results take 10 working days after the sample is received at the laboratory * and will be e-mailed to you with a doctor's explanation. Treatment is offered when needed.

Interpretation of results:

Negative: high-risk HPV subtypes not identified. Client at very low risk of developing high-grade cervical disease/CIN2+ before their next visit.

Positive: high-risk HPV subtypes present. Increased risk of developing CIN/cervical cancer. Recommend to repeat screening after 1 year. If high-risk HPV still present after 1 year, then client should have colposcopy procedure.

Background:

In 2017, the UK National Screening Committee recommended changing the primary screening test from cytology (looking at cervical cells through a microscope to find those which could develop into cancer) to testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). This is because:

• over 99% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV
• vaccinating children aged 12 and 13 for HPV strengthens the case for using HPV as the primary screening test
• it will save more lives by determining a woman’s risk of cancer earlier, which means the screening interval can be extended to 5 years
• if a woman is found not to have high risk HPV, her chances of developing cancer within 5 years are very small

* Indicative timings only. Actual result may be earlier or slightly later.

1. Make order online with full name and date of birth.

2. Home STI test kit will be posted to you. Return sample using postage-paid envelope.

3. You will recieve a text message notification when your STI results are ready. They will be sent to you discreetly by email.

All laboratories need information regarding the client to identify their individual sample.

Without these details, tests cannot be done.

The minimum requirement is the full name and date of birth.

You can enter these details securely in 'Order Special Instructions' at the CART stage of the order process. Alternatively, you can email these to us at: info@stitest.london

Treatment for postive tests is available by payment of a £25 prescription fee.

The medication is then delivered to you from our pharmacy partner e-Medicina. Typical costs for one antibiotic is approximately £10.