As with the Pap test, a brush is introduced into the external orifice of the uterus, rotated to collect the sample and then placed in a special vial and sent to the laboratory.
In cases where the Pap test is performed using the fluid collection method (e.g. Thin Prep), the HPV test can be done from the same sample. This is an advantage of this method, since the patient will not have to visit her doctor a second time for the collection of a new sample.