Our HPV test offers a simple and reliable way to screen yourself for HPV infections. Although most HPV infections disappear on their own, some infections can persist and lead to health problems. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world and can in some cases cause changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can eventually lead to cervical cancer. The test specifically checks for high-risk types of HPV that can cause these cell changes.
Unfortunately, many women postpone testing due to fear of stigma, discomfort or concerns about their privacy. This postponement can lead to serious health risks. In the Netherlands, it is possible to participate in the population screening for cervical cancer, but many women feel uncomfortable with the idea. That is why our HPV home test offers an accessible and safe solution for women.
The test is designed with your convenience and privacy in mind. Instead of visiting a clinic, you can simply collect a sample at home with a cotton swab. You then send the collected sample to our certified laboratory, where it is carefully analyzed. You will receive your results via a secure platform within a few days, including clear explanations and advice on any next steps.
Whether you test regularly as part of your health routine or have specific concerns, this home test gives you the assurance of fast, reliable results. Order your HPV test today and take an important step towards a healthy future
HPV can often be asymptomatic, but possible symptoms include:
If left untreated, HPV can lead to more serious health problems, such as cervical cancer. Regular testing is crucial for early detection and treatment.
Symptoms of low-risk HPV
Low-risk HPV types can lead to genital warts, which can form around the vagina, penis, anus, and in some cases, in the mouth or throat. These warts can cause symptoms such as itching, irritation, or bleeding.
Symptoms of high-risk HPV
High-risk HPV often has no early symptoms and often goes away on its own. However, if the virus remains in the body for years, the infected cells can change and grow out of control, which can eventually lead to cancer. Early detection of high-risk HPV through testing allows for further investigation and preventive measures to reduce the risk of cancer. Although high-risk HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer, it can also cause cancer of the vagina and labia in women, the penis in men, and anal or oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the throat or back of the mouth) in both men and women. Vaccination and screening for high-risk HPV are therefore important measures to detect cancer at an early stage.
Symptoms of genital warts (low-risk HPV):
Symptoms may include itching, burning, or tenderness around the infected area. Flesh-colored, hardened bumps that may have a cauliflower-like appearance may also develop. Genital warts can develop on any area of skin that comes into contact with the virus during sexual contact.
This test is intended to detect high-risk HPV types and can help prevent or detect cervical cancer at an early stage. However, the test is not suitable for people who:
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to contact your GP as soon as possible for further examination:
This test is able to identify the two most risky HPV types, namely type 16 and 18. In addition, the test can also detect 12 other high-risk HPV types (such as 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68), which can potentially be carcinogenic, although they are less dangerous than type 16 and 18.
Your test result can be negative or positive. A negative result means that no high-risk HPV types were found, but this does not mean that no other, low-risk HPV types are present, as the test is not designed for these. It is also important to note that this test is not a replacement for regular Pap smears performed by a doctor as part of local screening programs.
What should I do if I test positive?
A positive result indicates that one or more high-risk HPV types are present. This does not mean that you have cervical cancer, as many of these infections go away on their own. If you test positive, it is wise to consult your doctor to determine whether further testing or other measures are necessary.
I have received a positive result. Does this mean that I will develop cervical cancer?
Although a positive HPV test can be worrying, it is important to note that HPV is very common and most people will develop it at some point in their lives. In most cases, the body can clear the infection on its own. If the infection does not go away, the test gives you the opportunity to take preventive measures that can reduce your risk of cervical cancer.
Most people who test positive for high-risk HPV will not develop cervical cancer. However, it is still important to see your doctor for advice and possible next steps after a positive test.
FAQ
Because HPV infections often go away on their own, it is not recommended to test women under the age of 25. The risk of cervical cancer in this age group is low, and with healthy immune systems, it usually takes 10 to 15 years for an HPV infection to develop into cancer. However, that risk is higher for women over 30 with a high-risk HPV infection. In 2020, more than 342,000 women died from cervical cancer worldwide, according to data from the World Health Organization. For this reason, most countries are starting HPV screening in women between the ages of 25 and 35.
Testing younger women can lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments for HPV-related cell changes that often resolve on their own. This overtreatment can cause emotional and physical stress, such as anxiety, stress, and risks of procedures that may not have been necessary.
A positive result indicates that one or more high-risk HPV types are present. This does not mean that you have cervical cancer, as many of these infections resolve on their own. If you test positive, it is wise to consult your GP to determine whether further testing or other measures are necessary.
Although a positive HPV test can be worrying, it is important to know that HPV is very common and most people will get it at some point in their lives. In most cases, the body can clear the infection on its own. If the infection does not go away, the test gives you the chance to take preventive measures that can reduce your risk of cervical cancer.
Most people who test positive for high-risk HPV will not develop cervical cancer. However, it is still important to see your doctor for advice and any next steps after a positive test.
An HPV test is different from a Pap smear. A Pap smear is a test that takes cells from the cervix and examines them for abnormalities that could indicate cervical cancer. The HPV test, on the other hand, specifically looks for the DNA of the virus in the cells collected via the Pap smear. While a Pap smear can only be performed by a healthcare provider, an HPV test can be performed at home or by a doctor.
This test checks for the presence of high-risk HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer.
You will receive a test kit with clear instructions and materials to collect a cervical sample yourself. Follow the instructions carefully and send the sample to our lab for analysis.
Once your sample has been received by the laboratory, we aim to email you the results within 5 working days.
If you test positive, contact a doctor for further advice and treatment
Yes, you can take an HPV test at home. The HPV home test includes everything you need to easily collect a sample and send it to an ISO 15189 certified laboratory for analysis.
The HPV home test offers a very high accuracy of approximately 100%. This test is comparable to the HPV tests used by healthcare providers and in population studies. However, it is not a PAP test; a PAP smear examines cells from the cervix for abnormalities.
There are more than 100 different types of HPV, which are divided into two groups: low-risk and high-risk. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts, but is not linked to cancer. High-risk HPV, on the other hand, can lead to cervical cancer and can also cause cancer in the vagina, labia and anus.
The HPV test for women helps determine whether you are infected with a high-risk HPV type. It is advisable to discuss your test results with your doctor so that if there is a positive result, which may indicate abnormal cells, further tests such as a Pap smear can be carried out.
There is no direct treatment for the HPV virus itself, but in most people the infection often goes away on its own. High-risk HPV infections or the cell changes that accompany them usually go away on their own, especially in younger people. Therefore, HPV testing is currently not recommended in very young people to avoid unnecessary treatment and worry. However, there are treatments for conditions caused by HPV, such as genital warts and changes in the cervix. In addition, vaccination provides protection against the most common types of HPV that can cause both warts and cancer.
HPV can be transmitted by all sexual partners, regardless of gender. It can spread through almost any form of sexual contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex, as well as through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
There is currently no approved test for high-risk HPV in men. Low-risk HPV can be detected when visible genital warts are present, but without symptoms, men cannot know if they are infected. Since the virus often does not cause symptoms, it can be easily transmitted. Therefore, vaccination is strongly recommended for both men and women.