Doctors of USC

Pap smears. We dread them. For most women, a gynecological exam is worse that a trip to the dentist.

But a pap smear is the best way to check for cancer of the cervix, the opening of the uterus into the vagina, says Shaparak Kamarei, USC associate clinical professor of internal medicine.

"It's crucial that all women over 18 or who are sexually active get a pap smear every year, because cervical cancer is 100 percent curable if detected early," she adds.

So what do you do if your laboratory results come back abnormal?

"Most of the abnormal pap smears come back as ASCUS, which stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance," says Kamarei. "This means it's not cancer, but it's not normal."

ASCUS is caused by anything from a yeast infection to a sexually transmitted disease, she adds.

Older women may get abnormal results because as they age, the walls of the vagina become thinner, dryer, less elastic and more vulnerable to infections such as bacterial vaginosis and candida, she says.

Women who douche or take frequent soapy baths can wash away the natural flora of the vagina, allowing other infection-causing bacteria to flourish. She advises against douching.

"The body cleans itself just fine with the natural discharge the woman has," Kamarei says.

If an infection is present, it is treated with antibiotics or vaginal creams. The pap smear is repeated in six months to make sure the infection and unusual result disappear. If the condition persists, your physician may recommend a colposcopy, in which the cervix is examined more closely with an instrument.

Remember to schedule your pap smear appointment when you are not menstruating. During your period, abnormal cells may be hidden by the blood and debris of menstrual flow.