Home / All Tests / Sale / HPV Test for Women
Rating of Homed-IQ Homed-IQ on TrustPilot

HPV Test for Women

Original price was: €79,00.Current price is: €71,10. Free Shipping

Homed-IQ’s HPV Test is a screening test for cervical cancer in women. The test doesn’t tell you whether you have cancer, but detects the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world, and while most infections clear themselves over time, some can persist in the body and cause health problems. Some types of HPV may cause warts or no symptoms at all. However, certain high-risk types of HPV can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer. This at-home test checks for high-risk types of HPV in women that can cause cervical cancer.

Test Mode: Vaginal Swab

What do we test for?

HPV 16 HPV 18 Other high-risk HPV types: 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68
Instructional video
  • Buy 2 or more products and get 5% off your order
  • Ordered before 19:00, shipped today
  • Analyzed in ISO-certified laboratory
  • Test results often available within 1 business day after reaching laboratory

Original price was: €79,00.Current price is: €71,10. Free Shipping

About the test
Summary of Biomarkers
Who should use this test
Who should not use this test
Symptoms
Results
FAQ
About the test

HPV test result mockup

What is a HPV Test?

This test checks for high risk types of HPV, including the most high-risk types: type 16 and 18. HPV often has no symptoms and is spread through sexual contact, even if barriers like condoms are used. Most people will have an HPV infection in their lifetime without knowing it. This infection most often clears up on its own, although it is possible to be infected for life. Some people may experience genital warts from an HPV infection. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same types associated with cancer. Vaccination is the most effective protection against HPV, providing nearly 100% protection from the most high-risk HPV types. However, vaccination does not protect against all high risk types and protection is not 100% in all individuals (NIH, 2021). Therefore, testing is still recommended in vaccinated individuals.

This simple test can determine if you are positive for high-risk types of HPV. This is a vaginal swab test that you can easily take from home. Your sample will then be examined by a certified laboratory and you will receive the results within a matter of days. It couldn’t be easier!

Is a HPV test the same as Pap smear?

An HPV test and Pap smear are slightly different. During a Pap smear, health care providers scrape cells from the surface of the cervix and analyze them under a microscope for abnormal cells that could turn into cervical cancer. An HPV test, on the other hand, detects the presence of HPV DNA from cervical cells that are collected using a swab. While a Pap smear can only be performed by a healthcare provider, an HPV test can be performed either at home or in the doctor’s office. HPV strains 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases.

Is there a difference between high and low-risk HPV? 

There are more than 100 different types of HPV. These different types are grouped into two categories: low-risk and high-risk. Low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts, but are not known to cause cancer. A high-risk HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer-or cancer of the vagina, vulva, or anus.

Summary of Biomarkers

HPV

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly contagious virus. HPV is spread through sexual contact or touching through the hands, mouth, penis, or vagina. Almost everyone is infected with HPV at some point- almost 80% of sexually active individuals will come into contact with HPV in their lifetime. There are many different types of HPV. Some can cause genital warts or no disease at all, and are known as low-risk HPV. Other types of HPV can cause cancer and are called high-risk HPV. While there are several types of high-risk HPV, types 16 and 18 cause the majority of HPV-related cancers. 

Most people with HPV have no symptoms at all. Furthermore, testing for HPV is only widely available to women and often only checks for high-risk HPV as a form of cervical cancer screening. This means HPV is easily passed to other people unknowingly. While there is no cure for HPV, your body usually clears the virus on its own within two years. In some cases, the virus does not clear and remains in the body for a long time. A long-term infection with high-risk HPV can cause cell changes that lead to cancer. High-risk HPV is associated with cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, head and neck, penis, and anus. 

Preventing HPV

The best protection against HPV is vaccination. Since testing for HPV is limited and it can spread even during safe sex, preventing HPV infections before they occur is important. Vaccination against HPV protects against the most dangerous types of high-risk HPV, as well as the low-risk HPV types that most commonly cause genital warts. It is important to note that vaccination does not provide 100% protection against HPV-related cancers. That is why women in many countries are invited to take part in screening for cervical cancer using a combination of 1) an HPV Test that checks for HPV infections and 2) a Pap smear that checks for HPV-related cell changes in the cervix.

Who should use this test

Who should use this test?

It’s recommended that you screen for HPV if you’re over 30 years old and want to understand your potential risk for cervical cancer. Frequency of testing varies between countries, but is typically recommended every 3 to 5 years.

Why isn’t HPV testing recommended for younger women?

HPV can resolve itself on its own, which is why testing is not recommended for women under the age of 25. The risk of developing cervical cancer under the age of 25 is extremely rare (Cancer Research UK, 2022). It takes approximately 10 to 15 years for an HPV infection to develop into cervical cancer in women with normal immune systems. However, women over the age of 30 with a high-risk HPV infection are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. According to the WHO, in 2020 over 342.000 women died from cervical cancer (WHO, 2022).  This is why the current guidelines for population HPV testing in most countries are between the age of 25 and 35.

Testing HPV in younger women can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, in which women are diagnosed with and treated for HPV related cell changes that would have never caused any health problems and resolved on their own. Harms associated with overtreating HPV are the fear and anxiety caused by a high risk HPV diagnosis, as well as the physical harms from potential procedures to remove abnormal cells that may have resolved on their own.

Why did the guidelines regarding testing younger women for HPV change?

In the past and in other countries, HPV screening was recommended for women in their teens and early 20s who were sexually active. Since the introduction of HPV vaccination, rates of HPV in young women have dramatically decreased. New research indicates that the benefits associated with HPV testing do not outweigh the harms in women under age 25 (NIH, 2020), leading to a change in testing guidelines. These guidelines may change in the future as more people are vaccinated and HPV prevalence decreases.

Who should not use this test

Who should not use this test?

This test is meant to screen for high risk types of HPV in order to help prevent or catch cervical cancer early. This test is not suitable for individuals who:

  • Are already experiencing symptoms that may be associated with cervical cancer or other problems.
  • Are already in the care of a gynecologist for cervical problems
  • Have had their cervix removed

If you are experiencing these symptoms, please contact your GP directly for further care:

  • Bleeding between periods or after menopause
  • Menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Bleeding after intercourse
  • Pelvic pain
  • A change in your vaginal discharge, such as more discharge or a strong or unusual colour/smell
Symptoms

Symptoms of low-risk HPV

Low risk HPV can cause genital warts around the vagina, penis, anus, and sometimes mouth/throat. They can cause itching, irritation, or bleeding.

Symptoms of high-risk HPV

High risk HPV usually has no initial symptoms and may clear up on its own. However, if the virus remains within the body for many years, infected cells can change and begin to divide uncontrollably, causing cancer. Testing can identify high-risk HPV infections and allow for further testing and preventive procedures to help prevent cancer before it occurs. High-risk HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer. However, it can also cause vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal and oropharyngeal (the back of the throat and tongue) cancers in both women and men. This is why both vaccination and testing for high-risk HPV is important in order to catch potential cancers early.

Symptoms of Genital Warts (low-risk HPV): 

  • Itching, burning, or tenderness around the area of infection.
  • Raised, flesh-colored lumps or bumps that may have a cauliflower-like appearance.

Genital warts may appear anywhere on body’s skin that is exposed during sexual contact.

Results

HPV test results

This test is able to specifically identify the two highest risk types of HPV: types 16 and 18. The test is also able to detect 12 other HPV types (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68). While these types of HPV can potentially cause cancer, the risk is lower than types 16 and 18.

The results of your test will either be negative or positive. A negative test result means that no form of high risk HPV has been found. This does not mean you do not have any form of low-risk HPV, as there are many other possible types of HPV that this method does not test for. Additionally, this test is not a substitute for regular Pap smears conducted by a medical professional, in line with local cervical cancer screening programs.

What should I do if my test is positive?

A positive test result indicates the presence of one or more high risk HPV types. A positive test result does not mean that you have cervical cancer, as many high-risk HPV infections resolve themselves on their own. A positive test result requires follow-up with your GP to discuss whether additional testing or treatment is needed.

I tested positive. Am I going to get cervical cancer?

It can be scary to test positive for HPV. However, please know that HPV is highly common and almost everyone is infected with it at some point. Additionally, many HPV infections clear themselves on their own, with time. Despite testing positive, your body may eventually clear the infection. Even if this does not happen, being aware of your HPV status allows you to engage with preventive care that can stop cervical cancer before it occurs.

Most individuals that test positive for high-risk HPV will never develop cervical cancer. However, if your test result is positive, please contact your GP for follow-up.

Tip: also read our article “Understanding HPV and cancer”.

Frequently asked questions

How can I contract HPV?

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. It also spreads through skin-to-skin contact during sex, for example through the hands. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even if they have no signs or symptoms, and it can also spread despite condom/barrier use.

Is a HPV test the same as Pap smear?

An HPV test and Pap smear are slightly different. During a Pap smear, health care providers scrape cells from the surface of the cervix and analyse them under a microscope for abnormal cells that could turn into cervical cancer. An HPV test, on the other hand, detects the presence of HPV DNA from cervical cells that are collected using a swab. While a Pap smear can only be performed by a healthcare provider, an HPV test can be performed either at home or in the doctor’s office.

Can you test for HPV from home?

Yes, you can take an HPV at home test with Homed-IQ. Homed-IQ’s HPV Test is an easy-to-use at-home collection kit that includes everything you need for collecting a sample and sending it to one of our ISO 15189 certified laboratories.

How accurate is Homed-IQ’s home HPV test?

This at-home HPV test has an accuracy of nearly 100%. This test is the same HPV swab test that is used by some medical professionals or population screening programs. This is not a Pap smear test, which involves collecting cells from your cervix to check for abnormal cell changes.

Is there a difference between high and low-risk HPV?

There are more than 100 different types of HPV. These different types are grouped into two categories: low-risk and high-risk. Low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts, but are not known to cause cancer. A high-risk HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer-or cancer of the vagina, labia, or anus.

What will my HPV test results tell me?

Homed-IQ’s HPV test for women will tell you if you are infected with a high-risk strain of HPV. We always recommend sharing the test results with your healthcare provider who may perform additional testing. Additional testing may include a pap smear if your HPV test result is positive and indicated abnormal cells. Through Homed-IQ you can also test for other STD’s from the comfort of your own home. Click here to view our portfolio of sexual health tests.

Can HPV be cured?

There is no cure for the HPV virus itself. However, most people who have HPV will clear the infection on their own with time. High risk HPV infection and/or HPV related cell changes often resolve themselves in young people, and would not require treatment. Preventing unnecessary treatment and anxiety over a high-risk HPV diagnosis is why HPV testing is currently not recommended for very young people. Additionally, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause, such as genital warts, cervical changes, and cervical cancer. Furthermore, vaccination against HPV protects against the most common types of HPV that cause genital warts, as well as the most prevalent types of high-risk HPV.

Can a woman give HPV to a man?

HPV can be transmitted between any sexual partner, regardless of gender. HPV can affect anybody who has sex with an infected person. HPV can spread through almost all sexual activities including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or through other forms of close skin-to-skin contact during sex.

Can a man get tested for HPV?

Although men get HPV at similar rates to women, there is currently no approved test for high-risk HPV in men. Low-risk HPV can be diagnosed if visible genital warts occur. However, without visible symptoms it is not possible for men to know whether they have HPV. This is one of the reasons why HPV spreads so easily- as often the virus is symptomless. This is why vaccination for both men and women is the best protective measure against HPV.

I had the HPV vaccine. Do I still need to screen for high-risk HPV?

The HPV vaccine has been shown to protect against the most common types of HPV that cause genital warts, as well as against the types that lead to most cervical cancers. However, there are many types of HPV and the vaccine does not protect against all of them. The earlier version of the HPV vaccine also protects against fewer types of high-risk HPV. Therefore, it is still recommended to screen for high-risk HPV.

How do I know when and from whom I got HPV from?

Many people who test positive for HPV want to know when they were infected, and who from. Unlike other sexually transmitted infections in which it is easier to trace how and when an infection occurred, HPV infections can exist for years before they are detected. This is because there is no recognized test for certain types of HPV (particularly the low risk strains), as well as no test for men. Additionally, it can be years before you develop symptoms or test positive for HPV, making it hard to know when the infection occurred. This means most people do not know that they have it or that they have passed it on to others. It is important to remember that HPV is extremely common and can still occur even if you have only had sex with one person or used condoms/barriers. More than 80% of sexually active individuals will have HPV at some point.

Can I perform this test if I am pregnant?

Do not perform this test during pregnancy. You may use this test at least six weeks after delivery or miscarriage.

Can I perform this test if I am menstruating?

It is best to not perform this test while menstruating, as this may affect the results of the test.

How does it work?

Order your test
After you have placed the order, your test kit will be delivered within a few days in discreet packaging.
Activate and take your sample

After creating an account and activating your test online, collect the test sample and return it to the lab using the prepaid shipping label. Homed-IQ tests can be placed in a regular mailbox.

Receive your test result

A certified laboratory will analyze your test. When ready, your results will be published to your account, including a PDF laboratory report that can be brought to your GP for follow-up care.

Related products

You may also like…

Based on 1000+ Reviews

Read the experiences of our customers

See all reviews

Anonymous and personalized

We value the privacy of our customers; All Homed-IQ tests are completely anonymous

Reliable and safe

Homed-IQ’s tests are analyzed in certified laboratories

Quick and easy

It’s simple to perform our self-tests from home