HPV test
Discreet at-home testing for human papillomavirus (HPV)
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Check for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) with this easy-to-use, at-home vaginal swab test. Each HPV test kit includes clear instructions, free delivery, and advice from one of our doctors if HPV is detected in your sample.
After ordering online, a doctor reviews your request before the test kit is sent in discreet packaging. Take your sample at home, then post it to our partner laboratory using the prepaid envelope. Please note: Do not collect your sample during your period. Results are usually ready within 7 working days, and you will receive clear advice through your secure account.
The HPV test checks for the types of HPV that can increase the risk of cervical cancer. It’s highly accurate, with a clinical sensitivity of 98.3%*, meaning the chance of a false negative is less than 2%. Doing the test correctly, at the right time, and sending it to the lab straight away can help make sure you get the most accurate results. Our at-home HPV test offers privacy, convenience, and fast results without the need for a clinic appointment.
* statistics provided by our partner laboratory: The Doctors Laboratory (TDL)
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An HPV test checks if you have a type of human papillomavirus that can cause problems in the cervix. Some kinds of HPV can lead to cell changes that may turn into cancer if they are not found early.
The home test uses a soft swab to collect a small sample from your vagina. You send this sample to a laboratory, where it’s checked for the virus. The test looks for HPV DNA, which shows if the virus is present.
This test checks for the 2 most common high-risk types: HPV 16 and HPV 18, and several other types that can also increase the chance of cervical cancer.
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Testing for HPV at home is quick and easy. Your kit includes everything you need to provide a sample at home, such as:
- clear instructions for use
- a soft swab or brush
- a test tube
- packaging to post your sample to the laboratory
To take your sample, you will need to:
- Wash your hands.
- Remove the tube from the packaging, leaving the sampler wand inside. Remove the cap from the tube and put it to one side.
- Take the swab out of the packaging by holding the blue handle and make sure the white tip does not touch anything.
- Gently insert the swab into your vagina, making sure you keep the wand straight.
- Rotate the wand 5 times to collect the sample. Then remove the wand from your vagina, keeping it straight.
- Place the white tip end of the sampler wand inside the test tube, stopping when the blue part is in line with the rim. Break off the blue handle so the white tip falls into the tube. Screw the lid back on to the tube and close it tightly. You can throw the blue handle in the bin.
- Stick your label on the tube, put it in the prepaid envelope, and post it to the laboratory.
The swab does not need to go into the cervix, so most women find the test simple and comfortable to do at home. Do not collect your sample during your period, as this can prevent your sample from being tested effectively.
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HPV is very common, and around 4 in 5 men and women will have it at some point. Testing is important because it helps find high-risk types of HPV early, before they can cause any harm.
Getting tested means, eg:
✓ problems can be found before they turn into something more serious
✓ you can get advice and treatment sooner if needed
✓ you can protect your health and lower the chance of cervical cancer
✓ you can better understand your HPV status
99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Regular testing helps doctors find these infections early and prevent them from developing into cancer.
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The at-home HPV test for women is designed for those who want to check their risk of high-risk HPV types. It is most useful for women who, eg:
✓ are aged 25 or older
✓ have had unprotected sex or have a new sexual partner
✓ have missed a routine cervical screening
✓ have had abnormal screening results in the past
✓ have a weakened immune system
A reliable HPV test is not yet available for men, but women can use this test to check for the virus and reduce the risk of cervical cell changes.
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Your test results will be sent to your secure online account once the laboratory has completed testing. A doctor will review your result and provide clear advice on what to do next. Your results will either say that HPV was ‘detected’ or ‘not detected’.
In some cases, the lab may report an ‘insufficient sample’, which means the test would need to be repeated. If this happens, it could mean that the test was not completed correctly, or if you were on your period, there may not be enough sample cells to test. If this happens, we’ll provide another test kit for you to repeat the test.
How long do HPV results take?
After you post your sample, it usually takes up to 7 working days to receive your result. You will get a message when your results are ready to view online.
Please be aware that it may take longer if you send your sample on a weekend or bank holiday. We recommend that you take the sample and post on the same day, checking that Royal Mail will collect from the Post Box you put it in, or from your local Post Office, either on the same day or the day after. You can check their website for more information.
What does a detected test result mean?
A detected HPV test result means that high-risk types of HPV were found in your sample. This does not mean you have cancer, but it does mean the virus is likely present. Our doctors will let you know what to do next, such as if further checks or treatment are needed.
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If the HPV strains are detected in your test, try not to worry. HPV is very common, and most people will come into contact with the infection at some point in their lives, but it often clears from the body on its own without causing any problems.
A doctor will explain what your result means and whether you need more tests. You may be asked to:
- book a follow-up appointment for a cervical screening
- have a colposcopy to check your cervix more closely
- continue regular testing to monitor any changes
Follow the advice given with your result. Staying up to date with screening and check-ups helps keep your cervix healthy.
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No medicine removes HPV itself, but most infections clear on their own within 2 years. Treatment is only needed if HPV causes problems such as genital warts or changes to the cells in your cervix.
Common treatments include:
- creams such as Warticon or Aldara for genital warts
- minor procedures to remove abnormal cervical cells, such as freezing or laser treatment
- regular monitoring to check that any changes have gone away
A doctor will explain which treatment or follow-up is best for you based on your results.
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HPV can be found through different types of tests. The most common is the HPV test, which looks for the virus in a sample from the cervix or vagina.
Other ways HPV may be diagnosed include:
- smear test – checks for changes in cervical cells that might be caused by HPV
- colposcopy – uses a microscope to look closely at the cervix if a previous test showed cell changes
These tests help doctors spot early signs of infection or cell changes, so they can be treated before they become serious.
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Smear tests (sometimes called pap tests) and HPV tests are both used to check cervical health, but they look for different things.
- a smear or pap test looks for changes in the cells of the cervix that might turn into cancer
- an HPV test checks for the virus that can cause those cell changes
Smear tests can only detect HPV after it has already affected the cells, while HPV tests can find the virus earlier. Smear tests are done by a nurse or doctor, but HPV tests can be done easily at home.
HPV tests are also slightly more accurate, finding most high-risk infections before any changes develop. Understanding the difference between a pap smear and an HPV test can help you know which one is right for you.
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You can order an HPV home test online through online doctor services, like Asda Online Doctor. The process is simple, private, and completely confidential.
Can I buy an HPV home test online?
Yes. You can request a test kit online by completing a short health questionnaire. A doctor will review your request, and once approved, your kit will be sent in discreet packaging. The kit includes everything you need to collect your sample and send it to the laboratory for analysis.
Can I get a free HPV test with the NHS?
Yes. The NHS offers free HPV testing as part of the national cervical screening programme. Women aged 25 to 64 are invited for screening every 5 years, depending on their age. You can still use a private home test if you prefer to test between your NHS screening appointments.
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Frequently asked questions
How accurate is an at-home HPV test?
At-home HPV tests are very accurate when used correctly. Research shows they can be as accurate as samples taken by a doctor or nurse if you take the sample correctly and at the right time. The laboratory we work with uses advanced testing methods to detect HPV DNA, and there is less than a 2%* chance of a false negative result.
Is there also an HPV test for men?
There is currently no reliable HPV test for men. HPV often causes no symptoms and usually clears on its own. However, men who have sex with men can speak with a doctor about having an anal Pap test, which checks for cell changes caused by HPV in the anal area.
Is there also an HPV urine test?
Not yet. Some research is looking at urine tests for HPV, but they are not widely used. The most accurate way to test for HPV is still by using a vaginal swab. This method collects more reliable samples for detecting high-risk types of the virus.
Can you test HPV with a blood test?
No. HPV cannot be found through a blood test. The virus affects skin and cells in the genital area, not the blood. The best way to test for HPV is by collecting a sample of cells from the vagina or cervix using a swab.
Does HPV show in an STI test?
Most standard STI tests do not check for HPV. These tests usually look for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or HIV. HPV needs its own specific test, which is why a separate HPV home test or cervical screening is recommended.
Dr Kathryn Basford is a qualified GP who works as a GP in London, as well as with ZAVA. She graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her GP training through Whipps Cross Hospital in London.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 13 Nov 2025
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Cervical cancer risk, Cancer Research UK [accessed 01 November 2025]
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Cervical screening, NHS [accessed 01 November 2025]
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Human papillomavirus (HPV), NHS [accessed 01 November 2025]
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HPV Explained, Yorkshire Cancer Research [accessed 01 November 2025]
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in men, NHS [accessed 01 November 2025]
GMC: 7074021
GMC: 6149065
GMC: 7085115