In a healthy menstrual cycle, the reproductive hormones induce the ovaries to make the egg and release it every month.
HPV test is a cervical swab test to screen for high-risk HPV strains. There are few ways of testing for HPV. HPV test can be done:
- As a co-test together with conventional pap smear cytology
- As a reflex test where HPV test is added on following an abnormal pap smear cytology
- As a sole primary HPV screening test
- HPV genotyping
HPV test becomes positive if any one or more of a set of high-risk HPV strains are detected.
HPV testing is not recommended to women age 21-29 years. This is in view of 20-30% of the women in this category can be positive for HPV infection in view of new-onset of sexual activity. The clinical significance of HPV infection in these female leading to cervical cancer is extremely rare as most women from this age group are able to clear off HPV infection by their own immune system.