Did you know that cervical cancer affects black women at nearly twice the rate of other groups? This may feel like a strong introduction, but I'm honored to talk about a topic close to my heart in today's blog post: women's health and making it more accessible. For too long, we've been ashamed of our bodies and stigmatized for seeking care. Nurx has released a home HPV test to make it possible for everyone to access women's healthcare, regardless of insurance coverage. This post is sponsored by Nurx, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
What is HPV?
HPV stands for human papillomavirus, and it's an infection that is primarily transported through sexual contact, according to Healthline. Sometimes, the virus goes away on its own, but it can lead to serious illnesses and even cervical cancer. It's essential for people who are sexually active to regularly test for HPV and other viruses — even if you don't have sexual intercourse, you could still contract the condition. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and you can work with a doctor to find out the best treatment plan for you.
How Does Nurx Home HPV Test work?
Home HPV Screening from Nurx makes it easy for you to test for the virus in the privacy of your own home. It's usually about $15 for people with health insurance and $69 for those without insurance — and it's super convenient. The screening test comes in an attractive package with super easy-to-understand instructions. Here's what you get:
- A Q-tip
- A plastic tube
- A barcode
- A prepaid envelope
- A plastic bag
You simply insert the Q-tip like you would a tampon, turn it for 30 seconds, put it in the plastic tube and put the tube in the bag. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes, and Nurx sends your test results a few days after receiving your shipment. If you test negative for the high-risk strains of HPV the test looks for, you don't have to test again for three years. If you get a positive test, it doesn't mean you'll develop cervical cancer or any of the other complications — but Nurx will help you figure out what to do next.
My Thoughts On Nurx
Nurx manages to tackle a tough issue in a really appealing way. I was pleasantly surprised at how pretty the packaging was — it's a reminder that taking care of your body doesn't need to be scary or even boring. There's nothing to be embarrassed about! HPV is the most common STI in the U.S., with 14 million new people affected each year. Tragically, it leads to 34,000 cases of cervical cancer annually. When treated early, HPV is significantly less likely to cause cancerous symptoms, which is why it's so important to test regularly. Try Nurx's Home HPV Test yourself — it's so easy to use and provides peace of mind.