Your Tampon Could Now Detect Signs of HPV

Revolutionary UK start up Daye launches home HPV testing tampons…

As essential as they are, booking a smear test is an often avoided task for all of us. However UK gyno start-up Daye could have the answer to all of our pap smear woes.

Known simply as “cervical smears” in the U.K.  these are typically performed by a clinician and usually require booking an appointment, taking an often uncomfortable test, and then waiting for results. (And that’s when you actually remember to follow through and book one.)

“Daye users then mail their samples to a lab for testing, before receiving their results straight to your phone.”

Tampons, on the other hand, can be self-administered at home and are a part of life we are all used to.

Daye has been providing at-home STD testing and vaginal microbiome tests in their unique tampon format for the past few months but the new upgrade which includes HPV testing could become revolutionary.

The gynaecological health and period care company, which initially became known for their CBD tampons, evolved into their at-home testing service. It’s a non-invasive, discreet option for anyone who finds GP appointments intimidating or just wants to find out more about their vaginal health, using a tampon to collect a sample which is then sent to a lab.

“35% said they would delay their appointments out of embarrassment”

Daye users then mail their samples to a lab for testing, before receiving their results straight to your phone.

Valentina Milanova, the founder of Daye, explained, “Eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 requires a multi-pronged approach… We hope to encourage more women to proactively check for HPV.”

A 2017 survey by U.K. charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust found that more than a third of young women were embarrassed to go for their test because of body image issues. In fact, 35% said they would delay their appointments out of embarrassment. Daye’s revolutionary new pain-free at-home screening is hoping to go a long way towards reducing this.

Researchers who conducted a small study using Daye’s tampons last year proposed that self-testing options might benefit women who feel embarrassed about attending in-person screening appointments.

Although these tampons are not currently part of the national screening program, Daye states that users who test positive for high-risk HPV can present their results to their family doctor, who can then refer them for colposcopy or additional testing within the public health system.