Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test

Why It Is Done

An HPV test is done to:

• Check for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women who had a Pap test that showed abnormal cervical cells called atypical squamous cells (ASC). An HPV test can help look for one or more high-risk types of HPV. If an HPV test shows that high-risk types of HPV are present, further testing, such as a colposcopy or cervical biopsy, may be recommended.
• Check for HPV in women older than age 30 as part of screening for abnormal cervical cells.
• Help check for abnormal cervical cells after treatment of a high-risk HPV infection.

A Pap test or an HPV test can be used to screen for cervical cancer. An HPV test may be done at the same time as a Pap test or by itself. The results of an HPV test can help doctors decide if further tests or treatments are needed. To learn more, see the topic Pap Test.

How To Prepare

Before an HPV test, do not douche, use tampons, or use vaginal medicines for at least 48 hours.

You will be asked to empty your bladder just before the test, both for your own comfort and to help with the exam.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

How It Is Done

An HPV test can be done in a doctor's office or clinic by:

• A gynecologist.
• An internist.
• A family medicine physician.
• A urologist.
• A physician assistant (PA).
• A nurse practitioner.

For this test, you need to remove your clothes below the waist and drape a paper or cloth covering around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This allows your doctor to examine your vagina and genital area.

Your health professional will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls, allowing the inside of the vagina and the cervix to be examined.

Your health professional will then use a cotton swab or a small brush to collect several samples of cells from the cervix. Cells are collected from the visible part of the cervix as well as cells from inside the opening of the cervix (endocervical canal). The samples are then placed in collection tubes and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

An HPV test can also be done on a cell sample taken during your Pap test if a technique called a liquid-based Pap test was used. For a liquid-based Pap test, cells are collected by rotating a plastic brush on the cervix. The samples are then placed in a jar of solution and sent to a lab for examination. If you have this type of Pap test and it shows abnormal cells, an HPV test may be done later on the same sample.

How It Feels

You may feel some discomfort when the speculum is inserted, especially if your vagina is irritated and tender or if it is narrow. You may also feel pulling or pressure when the sample of cervical cells is being collected.

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• The use of douches, tampons, and vaginal creams or vaginal medicines within 48 hours before the test.
• A cervical cell sample that is too small.
• Your Pap test shows abnormal cells that are already known to be caused by a high-risk type of HPV.

What To Think About

• There is a test called a primary HPV test that is used by itself (not with a Pap test) to screen for cervical cancer in women ages 25 and older. With this newer test, a woman can be screened every 3 years as long as her test results are normal.
• A human papillomavirus (HPV) test is not routinely used to diagnose genital warts. It is usually done to find out whether an abnormal Pap test result may be caused by one or more high-risk types of HPV. To learn more, see the topic Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus).
• An HPV test may be done along with a Pap test in women age 30 and older. It may be done as a follow-up test after treatment for an abnormal Pap test. To learn more, see the topic Abnormal Pap Test.
• An HPV test is highly reliable for finding high-risk types of HPV. But an HPV test may come back positive when you do not have an HPV infection. This is called a false-positive test result.
• An HPV test is done only for women. Currently, an HPV test for men is done only in a research setting.
• If you are age 26 or younger, you can get the series of HPV shots. There are many types of HPV. Some types of the virus can cause genital warts. Other types can cause cervical or oral cancer and some uncommon cancers, such as vaginal and anal cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against the most common HPV types that can cause serious problems. To learn more, see the topic Immunizations.