How often should I check HPV TCT?

It is estimated that many female friends go to the gynecology department for treatment. After understanding the relevant symptoms and medical history, the doctor recommends that they do some gynecological examinations, such as TCT examination and HPV examination. However, for most people, they have no idea about these examination items and will be confused just by looking at the names. As the most common gynecological examination, the HPV test is used to detect whether a woman is infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is often used to screen for cervical cancer and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment for patients with cervical lesions. It is also used to follow up on the effectiveness of HPV vaccinations.

How often is HPV TCT checked? How often is HPV checked?

Normally, in order to prevent cervical cancer, it is recommended that women have an HPV test once a year. Especially women over the age of 30, because their immune system begins to decline, they are more susceptible to HPV (human papillomavirus) infection than younger women, so it is best to have an HPV test once a year.

If 2 consecutive HPV tests are negative, you can test again after 3-5 years. If the inspection results are normal for two consecutive times, the inspection can be extended to 5-8 years. For patients who have undergone treatment for cervical precancerous lesions or cervical cancer surgery, it is recommended to have an HPV follow-up examination every 3 to 6 months after treatment to closely monitor changes in the condition and the actual effect of treatment.

When is the HPV test most accurate?

Since the HPV test is performed by using a brush-like collector to collect shed cells from the female cervical epithelial cells, generally speaking, as long as the test is performed when the cervix is ​​well exposed, sufficient shed cells can be obtained to ensure the smooth progress of the HPV test.

So, when is a woman's cervix best exposed? Generally, it is during the non-menstrual period and non-ovulation period. During women's menstrual period, a large amount of menstrual fluid will be retained in the cervix, and during ovulation, some mucus plugs will be retained in the cervix. These two situations will affect the number of cells obtained, thereby affecting the accuracy of the resolution.

It is not difficult to see that HPV testing should be carried out in the non-ovulation period after the end of menstruation, and the results will be most accurate.

However, there is also a practical problem, that is, many women miss the best opportunity for examination because they are busy at work or don't want to go to the hospital to queue up. Of course, busy work and long queues should not be an excuse, and we should treat our health as seriously as we treat our work and family.