After a cervical biopsy, is it still necessary to have an HPV test?

HPV refers to human papillomavirus. In most cases, it is still necessary to test for human papillomavirus after undergoing a cervical biopsy.

A cervical biopsy primarily involves removing a small piece of tissue from the cervix for pathological examination, aiming to determine the nature of cervical lesions and rule out cervical cancer. In contrast, HPV testing is used to detect whether there is an infection with human papillomavirus and to identify the specific type of virus involved. Regardless of whether cancerous changes are found during the cervical biopsy, it is advisable to perform HPV testing. This helps promptly assess the risk of disease progression and determine whether cervical abnormalities are related to HPV infection, thus guiding further diagnosis and treatment.

However, the process of collecting tissue during a cervical biopsy may cause some damage to the cervical mucosa, which requires time to heal. Therefore, even if HPV testing is needed, it is recommended to delay the test by one week and schedule it between 3 to 7 days after menstruation ends, to avoid retrograde menstrual blood flow that could lead to infection and affect diagnostic accuracy.

If there are any questions or uncertainties regarding these two tests, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider promptly and complete the procedures under medical guidance. Personal hygiene should be maintained before and after testing, including washing the genital area with warm water regularly and changing underwear frequently. Sexual intercourse and strenuous physical activity should be avoided for at least one week after the procedure.