A Guide to HPV Co-Testing

One of the most common ways to check for HPV is co-testing. This routine screening is recommended for many adult women. Learn more about how co-testing works and when you should receive this important HPV test.
What is Co-Testing?

Co-testing involves two routine screenings which are performed at the same time:

• A Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear), which is a screening for abnormal cervical cells. 
• An HPV test, which checks for DNA from HPV in cervical cells.
  

Doctors are able to use the same cell sample for both tests, which saves time and helps to ensure that women get the proper health screenings to prevent cervical cancer. Visit for more info: https://hpvhub.com/a-guide-to-hpv-co-testing/

Am I Too Old to Get the HPV Vaccine?

When it comes to the HPV vaccine, adults often assume they aren’t eligible to get immunized. However, it’s actually possible to receive the HPV vaccine through age 45. While it may help to prevent HPV infection, you shouldn’t expect the same level of protection if you receive the HPV shot as an adult.

HPV Vaccine Age Limit

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the HPV vaccine for men through age 21 and women through age 26. The CDC also recommends the HPV shot for unvaccinated individuals who fall into one of the following categories:

• Young men who have sex with men through age 26 (including young men who identify as gay or bisexual) 
• Young adults who are transgender through age 26
  
• Young adults with certain immunocompromising conditions (such as HIV) through age 26
  

If you’ve passed these age limits, you might be wondering if it is too late to get the HPV vaccine. According to FDA guidelines updated in October 2018, the HPV shot for men and women may be administered up to age 45. This applies specifically to Gardasil 9, which is the only HPV vaccine available for use in the United States.

Visit for more info: https://hpvhub.com/am-i-too-old-to-get-the-hpv-vaccine/

A Single-Dose HPV Vaccine May Be Effective

With the supply of HPV vaccines dwindling, doctors and researchers are concerned about what this means for the spread of the disease. According to recent projections, there won’t be a sufficient number of HPV vaccine doses available to meet global demand until at least 2024. However, new research may provide a possible solution to the HPV vaccine shortage.

In an OBGYN News article published on May 29, 2019, follow-up results from major phase 3 randomized controlled trials of bivalent HPV vaccine in Costa Rica and quadrivalent vaccine in India were shared. These trials deliver promising evidence that a single HPV dose could provide protection against infection for 11 years or more. Since children who receive the vaccine at the recommended age currently receive two doses, this could potentially double the existing supply. Visit for more info: https://hpvhub.com/a-single-dose-hpv-vaccine-may-be-effective/