FOR WHOM IS THE TEST INTENDED?
While the test is beneficial for anyone seeking information about their sexual health (in particular when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases), it's especially important for men who have an active sex life with multiple partners, engage in unprotected sexual intercourse of any kind as well as men with compromised immune system.

WHY TAKE THE TEST?
While HPV is the most common STI affecting both men and women, men can also act as carriers and transmit the virus to their sexual partners, even if they don't experience symptoms themselves since many forms of HPV can be asymptomatic, which means that the man may not even be aware of the infection. Still, some types of HPV viruses can cause cancer of the penis, anus, or oral cavity, as well as skin diseases in the form of genital warts. Early detection of HPV infection can allow doctors to intervene before cancer develops or to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage, increasing the chance of successful treatment. However, you do not necessarily need to have sexual intercourse to contract HPV infection as it is also transmitted by contact with the skin or mucous membranes of other individuals infected with the HPV virus. The transmission is thus also possible by kissing or even after using a towel that belongs to somebody else. In cases when one person in any given relationship is HPV positive, it is important to monitor the other partner as well to minimize the risk of viral transmission. Testing for HPV testing is therefore an important part of preventive care.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TEST?
This is a test for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV test detects the presence of as many as 14 HR-HPV genotypes (high-risk HPV types). In the case of a positive finding, these genotypes could cause cancerous growth. This HPV test also includes the so-called partial genotyping, allowing specialists to distinguish three groups, namely HPV 16, HPV 18, and a complex of other high-risk types. The test identifies both the permanent and transient forms of viral infection, however, it does not specify whether or not the virus will manifest its oncogenic nature. In males, an HPV test is performed from a single urethral swab. While a smaller and sterile urethral swab is utilized to minimize discomfort, the procedure itself may be unpleasant, and you might experience a temporary burning sensation. In some cases, you may experience slight bleeding.

Sampling can only be performed in a urological clinic.

AN EXAMPLE OF THE RESULT SHEET
You will receive the test result in a password-protected .pdf file sent to your e-mail address. You will also find the result online in the Patient Zone after logging in to your profile. You will receive a single result sheet for this test. The test result relates to the analyzed sample and contains the following data: the designation of the tested parameter, the result in numerical expression, the unit of measure, and the reference interval (benchmark).A sample showing the format of the test result sheets for HPV infection testing in a man.