Choose from our 7 best HPV tests for parents to perform at home

Most Comprehensive: iDNA iBOX HPV Test

Key Specifications

• Cost: $88
• Medical Consultation required: No
• No Acceptance of Insurance
• Yes, free shipping: Yes ($17+ for expedited shipping)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tests for all 14 HPV genotypes
• Discreet packaging
• HIPAA compliant online portal
• Simple to understand results
• Labs meet CAP & CLIA Standards
• Samples of urine or vaginal swabs
• Shipping is available in a hurry

You can also find out more about Cons

• Membership required to receive a doctor consultation
• Insurance does not accept
• No shipping to New York

Why We Choosed It

The HPV Test is the most comprehensive HPV test we have tested. It tests for 14 strains of high-risk HPV in the same manner as other HPV tests, giving you either “positive” or a “negative” result for each.

• HPV16:This type is responsible for about 50% of cervical carcinoma cases.
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• The remaining HPV types are: HPV 31, 35, 39 and 45. HPV 51, 52, 56 58 59, 66 and 68. These strains cause fewer cancers. However, the test results only indicate if you carry one or more, but not which.

The test is also easy to use. It provides clear instructions for how to collect either a vaginal or urine sample in only five minutes. This is useful if anyone in your family or you is new to home testing. Register the kit at the company website, then collect the sample and package it using the included pre-paid envelope.

The test costs $88, which is more than other tests on this list, but it’s so comprehensive that it ships to every state except New York. We still thought it was an excellent option for families who want to find out as much as they can about their HPV status. This test can be paid for with flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs), which makes it easier to pay even if your family doesn’t have health insurance.

You can receive the test for free via standard shipping or upgrade it to one to three days business ($17) or overnight ($50).

Follow the instructions on the website carefully. The company claims that tests used correctly can achieve 99.9% accuracy. Mail it to the lab that has been certified by the College of American Pathologists and meets the certification requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments . These labs are used in hospitals and clinics so you can trust that the tests will be performed correctly. You can access your results online on a secure HIPAA compliant portal after the testing has been completed.

If you, or a family member, receive a positive test result, or want to discuss the results with a physician, you can share your iDNA with your primary care provider, if one exists. iDNA doesn’t offer free medical consultations with its kits. However, telehealth consultations can be arranged for those who choose one of the two membership options:

• iDNA+ membership: $25 a month for a free monthly test, $45 in doctor consultations and 25% off all tests and labs
• iDNA+ Membership:$50 per month for one monthly test , or free doctor consultations (additional consults are $45) with 25% off all labs and testing

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TBD Health HPV test for Vaginal Havers.

Key Specifications

• Cost: $79
• Medical Consultation required: No
• Does not accept insurance: No. But can provide a superbill
• Free Shipping Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Results in 3 to 5 days
• Includes telehealth discussion session
• Unlimited messaging with the Clinical Team
• Lab meets CAP & CLIA Standards
• FSA/HSA eligible
• Can provide superbills
• Shipping is free

You can also find out more about Cons

• Insurance is not required for those who do not want to take it
• No shipping to New York
• Has not yet offered services to those with a genital penis
• The site does not specify the HPV types that are being tested

Why We Choosed It

It’s likely that HPV infection and abnormal Pap test results occur at similar rates regardless of gender identity. 6 The TBD HPV Test for Vagina Havers is gender-neutral to include trans and nonbinary adolescents and parents. TBD Health plans to offer services to all people in the future.

The HPV Test is $79 for a single purchase. It ships to all states except New York. The HPV test uses a vaginal sample to detect HPV (although it doesn’t specify which types are tested).

There are also discounted monthly and quarterly subscriptions, as well an “eco option” to order three kits all at once. 7 Since the ACS guidelines don’t generally recommend testing so frequently, you might want to choose a subscription for any contraception tests or STI tests that you add to your purchase. You can ask questions anytime, even if you only purchase the test once. TBD Health offers unlimited messaging to its trauma-informed, sex positive clinical team.

You’ll receive a discreet package containing a test kit, including a vaginal swab, a tube and a biohazard container with a pre-paid shipping label. Also included is a condom. This isn’t necessary for the test but it’s a good way to promote safer sexual practices. Register your kit online, and make sure you read all the instructions.

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LyfeCheck HPV test for Urine testing

Key Specifications

• Cost: $45
• Medical Consultation required:No
• No Acceptance of Insurance
• Yes, I want to receive free shipping

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The cheapest test we reviewed
• Useful if you possess a penis, or a vagina
• Simple instructions
• View results on a secure digital platform

You can also find out more about Cons

• No follow-up visits included
• It may be difficult to connect or ask questions with a clinician
• The site does not explain the HPV strains that are being tested

Why We Choosed It

HPV can affect parents, adolescents, and those with penises. That’s why it was important for us to offer an alternative method of testing than vaginal swabs. The LyfeCheck HPV Test is a home-based HPV test that uses a urine sample. This allows parents and adolescents who have penises to use the test. It is important to note that the vaginal swab method remains the most preferred at-home test.

The LyfeCheck HPV Test Kit comes with everything you need to collect a sample, detailed instructions and a barcode that allows you to register your test on a secure platform and view the results. LyfeCheck offers videos that show you how to collect and register your sample.

When your results are available, you’ll be notified via email and can access them from your computer or phone. You will also receive a detailed report on your results by one of LyfeCheck’s board-certified doctors.

This test has a few downsides. The site makes it difficult to contact a doctor after receiving your results. It’s also hard to find an easy way to ask a question.

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MyLAB Box HPV Test Kit for Fast Results

Key Specifications

• Cost: $89
• Medical Consultation required: No
• No Acceptance of Insurance
• Yes, Free Shipping:

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tests for all 14 HPV genotypes
• Results in 2-5 Days
• If your test is positive, you can consult a doctor for free.
• Labs meet CAP & CLIA Standards
• HIPAA compliant online portal

You can also find out more about Cons

• Don’t ship to NY
• Tests must be purchased by people over 30 years old.
• Vaginal swab is only for use with women
• Insurance does not accept

Why We Choosed It

It can be hard to find time to care for yourself and your family. Once you start to feel motivated, you don’t want to lose it because you are waiting for a long timeto get the results of those tests. We recommend the MyLAB Box HPV Test kit.

It is true that this kit costs $89 more than the others in our round-up. However, its CLIA certified and CAP accredited lab can provide results within two days of receiving your samples. You can also choose expedited shipping for even quicker results.

MyLAB Box provides free shipping on orders placed between Monday and Friday. It also offers two-day ($7) or overnight ($45) delivery. You could theoretically order a test on Monday, get your kit on Tuesday, send it to the laboratory for delivery on Wednesday and possibly receive results by Friday if you choose overnight shipping. The company states that a 3- to 5-day wait is more common.

This test cannot be shipped to New York and is only available to women over 30 years old with a vaginal tissue. It tests for all 14 HPV types, and the cost includes a consultation if your test is positive. We felt this was a good choice for parents.

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Testing.com High Risk Genital Testing Kit: Multiple Payment Options

Key Specifications

• Cost: $99
• Medical Consultation required:No
• No Acceptance of Insurance
• Yes, Free Shipping:

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Accepts a urine or vaginal swab sample
• Testing for 14 high-risk HPV types
• Results in 3-4 Days
• Lab meets CLIA Standards
• HIPAA compliant site
• Accepts debit, credit, FSA/HSA and PayPal

You can also find out more about Cons

• The most expensive option that we considered
• It may take up to 5-7 days for your order to arrive
• Ordering over the phone is possible
• Not available in New York or New Jersey
• Insurance does not accept

Why We Choosed It

Flexible options are important when managing your family’s finances. High Risk Genital Testing Kit offers flexible payment options, which is why we recommend it. It’s also the most expensive, at $99, but it can be paid for with PayPal, a Visa or MasterCard credit card, or a debit or FSA/HSA (with Visa or MasterCard logos). You could use your PayPal balance to pay, your bank account in lieu of a credit card, or sign up for an installment plan through PayPal.

The kit can be used to screen for high-risk HPV using either a urine sample, or a vaginal test. It ships to all 50 states, except New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island, free of charge in five to seven days. After you have collected and packed your sample and sent it to the CLIA certified lab, your results are available online in three to four business days.

Insurance is not accepted. Testing.com will gladly help you order by phone if that’s what you prefer. If you want a more comprehensive test, you can check out the Testing.com High Risk 3-Site Testing Kit for $219, which tests for mouth, rectal and genital infections.

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To Get In-Network Coverage, Nurx Home HPV Testing Kit

Key Specifications

• Cost:$49 – $79 +$15 for medical consultation
• Medical Consultation required:Yes
• Yes, I accept insurance:
• Yes, Free Shipping:

Pros & Cons

Pros

• We accept many major insurance companies
• Tests for all 14 HPV strains with high risk
• Lab meets CLIA & CAP standards
• Includes unlimited messaging for one year with the medical team at Nurx
• Nurx, a partner lab of Nurx, may offer financial aid.

You can also find out more about Cons

• $15 consultation fee
• You may receive an additional laboratory bill
• Only use a vaginal swab as a sample
• No service in D.C. and 15 other states

Why We Choosed It

You may want to take advantage of your health insurance benefits, particularly if/when your deductible is reached. Nurx HPV Home Test Kit is the best option. This test, offered by a telehealth provider of a variety of health, reproductive, and skin care services, is covered by insurance. The company’s partner laboratory, Molecular Testing Labs, accepts several major insurance carriers, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Coventry and Moda Health.

The price of the test is $79 without insurance. This is not the most expensive choice on this list. Nurx was not available in Washington, D.C., and 15 other states at the time of this writing. But hopefully, they will soon expand their options. The Home HPV Test Kit offers a good option to test all 14 high-risk HPVs strains, in a CLIA certified, CAP accredited lab.

Nurx charges a $15 consultation charge, which is not covered by insurance. This fee must be paid with the purchase of a home testing kit. This fee does cover a follow-up with the medical team of the company to discuss your results, and unlimited messaging for one year with Nurx providers. After MTL processes your test results, you may receive a lab bill or a bill for a copay. Nurx says that MTL offers financial assistance to those in need.

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Everlywell Female HPV test is the most affordable.

Key Specifications

• Cost: $49
• Medical Consultation required: No
• No Acceptance of Insurance
• Yes, free shipping: Yes (+$30 express)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tests for 14 HPV high-risk genotypes
• Personalized, physician-reviewed results
• If results are abnormal, a doctor can provide guidance.
• Accepts FSA/HSA
• Lab meets CLIA Standards

You can also find out more about Cons

• Insurance does not accept
• Vaginal swab is only for use with women
• No shipping to New York

Why We Choosed It

If you are a parent who is concerned about the HPV status of your child (or yourself), but don’t wish to spend much money, we recommend Everywell’s Female HPV test. The cost is only $49 for a single purchase. There are no additional charges. This was the most affordable test we found in our research. With a subscription at-home testers get a 15% to 25% discount on their at-home testing kits. But unless you have been told to test frequently, quarterly and monthly deliveries are not as relevant for HPV testing.

Online ordering is available from all states except New York. Everywell Female HPV Test comes in a discreet package with everything you need to collect a vaginal sample, detailed instructions and an instructional video. Within five to seven days after the CLIA certified lab receives your sample, you’ll have access to your physician-reviewed HPV results. You can trust the results, as they are advertised to be accurate to over 99%. If you test positive, an Everlywell doctor will give you a free consultation to help you understand what you should do.

Choose from 7 HPV tests at-home to compare

How to choose an at-home HPV test

HPV tests at home are private and convenient. They allow you to screen for HPV in a discreet manner without having to visit a doctor. Home HPV tests are tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences. Consider these factors when comparing options.

• Cost: The home HPV tests we review here cost between $45 and $99. You can use pre-tax funds to pay for many companies that accept FSA or HSA cards. The price of each test may be reduced by recurring subscriptions, but most tests are sent more often than recommended by the ACS HPV guidelines.
• Insurance Acceptance:Most companies that sell test kits are not in the insurance network, but some are. Some companies will also provide you with a superbill that can be submitted to your insurance company for a possible out-of network reimbursement.
• Shipping While all the companies listed here offer free standard shipping, not all of them also provide two-day shipping or overnight shipping. You’ll have to consider additional shipping costs if you want to send your sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.
• Processing Speed:Once your lab receives the sample, it can take anywhere from two to seven or more days to receive the results. Remember that most labs do not operate on weekends.
• Medical consultations are available: Some testing kits include a consultation, and others offer telehealth for an extra fee. Others simply send you a kit with a report of your results. Find a company where you can speak with a doctor directly.
• Lab Certification: Although many home HPV tests have been deemed accurate, choosing a reliable brand is crucial, says Modglin. It’s important to verify that the labs that receive the samples are certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.

The Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home HPV Test

What does an HPV test at home measure?

A HPV at-home test looks for virus in cells from your urine or vaginal sample. Most HVP tests look for 14 strains of high-risk HPV (or hrHPV) that can cause cancer in the cervix or anus.

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What are the benefits and downsides of HPV tests at home?

HPV tests allow parents, teenagers, and anyone else who is concerned about HPV to test for it in the privacy of their home. It is convenient to use, particularly if you don’t have reliable transportation to and from your medical appointments.

A home HPV test can also be less invasive because it requires only a vaginal sample or urine, whereas an office screening may require a pelvic examination to collect cervical cells. Even without insurance, at-home HPV testing may be less expensive than clinic testing.

Research shows that home tests can be as accurate as screenings performed by doctorsspan data-id=”#citation-13″>11/span>span data-id=”#citation-12″>12/span>. However, user error, which Modglin stressed when we spoke with her about these tests, can make results less reliable. Research shows that home tests are as accurate as doctor-performed screenings 11 12.. However, Modglin stressed in our interview with her, user error could make the results less reliable. Follow the instructions given by the company when collecting your sample. Remember that, although research has shown the validity of rectal or oral swabs and urine samples, these methods have not yet been approved by the FDA.

Modglin notes that it can be difficult to interpret test results on your own. It’s therefore easier to talk to a doctor who can explain them to you and help determine your next step.

You should also remember that a home HPV test will only show you whether you have an infection of your genitals. It won’t reveal if there are any precancerous changes or cancerous ones. To learn this information, you’ll have to undergo a Pap test. It can be a bit scary to receive the results of an HPV test at home without having the opportunity to speak to a doctor immediately. It’s important to keep in mind that home HPV tests do not replace medical advice.

How often should you screen for HPV or cervical cancer?

Testing when you are younger can be a source of unnecessary anxiety, as nearly everyone is infected with one or more HPV-strains, especially within the first couple years after sexual activity. This is true unless your cancer risk is higher. We recommend most of these tests to parents.

The ACS recommends the following schedule for HPV/Pap tests if you have an average cancer risk:

• 25 years old: Get your first HPV (or a HPV and Pap test). If your results are normal, you should be tested again five years later.
• From 30 to 65 years old:You have two options. You can get a HPV-Pap cotest every five or three years. Both methods are acceptable for screening cancer.
• 65 years and older: If you haven’t yet tested positive, the ACS recommends that you stop your regular screenings.

What should I do if I test positive for HPV

You should first discuss the results with your doctor or telehealth provider.

If this is the first time you have tested positive for HPV, your doctor may not recommend immediate treatment. The doctor will probably recommend further testing. They may suggest a Pap Test and/or a colposcopy, a procedure that involves a biopsy to examine your cervical cells in greater detail. You’ll likely be retested in 12 months or sooner to determine if your infection has continued, if pre-cancerous changes are present, and if surgery is needed.

Your doctor may suggest that you have your HPV tested more often than five years. You should also be aware that an HPV infection, which seemed to have cleared up, can reactivate in the future, just as the chickenpox can lie dormant for years before causing shingles.