Pelvic exams are not a pleasant experience for anyone. No matter how many you’ve had, that moment when the speculum opens your vagina is always uncomfortable. Despite this, pelvic exams are crucial for examining reproductive organs, conducting HPV tests, and performing Pap smears for cervical cancer detection. But what if you could skip the discomfort and collect some samples yourself?
The FDA has recently approved self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing in healthcare settings, such as doctor’s offices, urgent care facilities, pharmacies, and mobile clinics. This approval marks a significant advancement in patient comfort and accessibility.
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