Annual Gynecology Exams in Boston, MA | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, we believe it’s time women are offered the health care they deserve. Annual gynecology exams can feel like a checklist item—impersonal, sterile, and uncomfortable. Here, we have reimagined the annual well-woman exam to help you build a foundation of wellness that sets you up for long-term success, no matter where you are in life.
Our wellness gynecological exams are focused on you, not just your reproductive organs or sexual health. You are a whole woman, and these yearly well-woman visits are your best opportunity to ensure you have a clear, accurate understanding of what is happening in your body, what you can expect at every stage of life, and how you can stay well as you age.
Expert care should be exceptional, and compassionate care should be evidence-based. To schedule your annual gynecology exam in Boston, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online. Comprehensive, whole-person care begins here.
What Is an Annual Gynecology Exam?
There is no better treatment than prevention. As specialists in women’s health, we know that regular gynecological exams, beginning at age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active, are an essential part of staying healthy and truly understanding what is happening in your body. Our wellness exams are a cornerstone of the comprehensive, whole-person care we offer.
Preventive women’s health exams in Boston, MA, include:
- Health Discussions: Talk to our providers about age-appropriate health concerns, risk factors, and wellness goals.
- Screenings and Exams: Receive a full range of screenings, including Pap smears and breast exams.
- Immunizations: Stay up to date on vaccines like the flu shot and the HPV vaccine.
What Should I Expect During My Regular Gynecology Exam in Boston, MA?
In addition to checking your height, weight, and blood pressure, your doctor will ask you questions about your general health, menstrual cycle, and sexual activity. The highly trained OB/GYNs at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN are dedicated to providing the highest-quality gynecologic care and will honor your vulnerability by ensuring you have the time you need to express your concerns candidly and never feel rushed or dismissed.
During your exam, your doctor will perform the following exams and tests. If your doctor is male, a female nurse will remain in the room during your exam. When scheduling your appointment, you can share your preferences with our scheduling coordinator. Your experience and comfort are incredibly important to us, and we take your needs and preferences seriously.
Breast Exam
During your breast exam, your doctor will check your breasts for signs of potential problems, such as lumps. They will examine each breast by moving their fingers around it in a systematic pattern. You may also be shown how to perform monthly breast self-exams.
Pelvic Exam
During your pelvic exam, your doctor will examine your vagina, cervix, and reproductive organs. Once you place your feet in the footrests at the end of the exam table and slide forward, your doctor will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina to gently separate the vaginal walls for examination. Your doctor will then place one or two gloved, lubricated fingers into your vagina while pressing on your abdomen with the other hand to check the size, position, and shape of your internal pelvic organs. The pelvic exam may feel a bit uncomfortable, but it should not be painful.
Pap Test
A Pap test checks for abnormal cells in the cervix that could lead to cancer. Your doctor will insert a small swab through the vagina into the cervix. Cells are collected from the cervix and sent to a laboratory to be checked for abnormalities.
These assessments include screenings, evaluations, counseling, and immunizations based on your age and risk factors. This is also your best opportunity to ask questions about how your body is changing, what you can expect in the future, any health concerns you may have, and what you can do to set yourself up for another year of wellness.
Request an Annual Exam
Experience women’s health care designed for the modern woman. To schedule a well-woman exam at our upgraded OB/GYN office in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000.
Annual Exams Look Different During Different Life Stages
A woman in her 20s needs different care and support than a woman in her 50s or 70s. Each wellness visit is tailored to meet you where you are right now, and we are committed to giving you the time and space to freely raise your questions and concerns. Your care is about you, not us.
For more information about annual gynecological exams, visit our health library. Below is a brief overview of how annual well-woman visits change throughout the years.
Ages 18–39
Between the ages of 18 and 39, our goal is simple: to create a safe, welcoming environment where you feel informed, supported, and empowered to take an active role in your health for years to come. While this stage of life is often associated with contraception, fertility, pregnancy planning, and reproductive health, it is also a time to build a lasting relationship with your gynecological provider based on trust, open communication, and personalized care.
Whether you are looking to prevent pregnancy, planning for a family, or simply prioritizing your overall well-being, we tailor your care to your individual needs and goals. Routine visits focus on preventive care, patient education, sexual and reproductive health, menstrual concerns, and general wellness. Beginning around age 21, regular cervical cancer screening with Pap testing becomes an important part of preventive care. Depending on your age, risk factors, and lifestyle, we also discuss contraception, family planning, fertility, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, when appropriate, and other health screenings that help protect your long-term health.
Ages 40–64
Midlife and the menopause transition are meaningful and full of change. Your regular care evolves with you to meet your needs at every stage. Cervical cancer screenings continue during this stage, and mammograms typically begin around age 40, along with discussions about perimenopausal symptoms, bone health, heart health, metabolic health, and hormone replacement therapy. Many women begin perimenopause during this time, and these visits provide an opportunity for comprehensive menopause and perimenopause management, nutrition and weight guidance, and honest, personalized conversations that can make a meaningful difference in how you feel day to day.
Ages 65+
After age 65, cervical cancer screening may no longer be necessary for women with a history of negative Pap test results. During your postmenopausal years, gynecological care centers on protecting your long-term health, comfort, and quality of life. Attention shifts toward bone density, heart health, breast health, and vaginal, urinary, and pelvic floor wellness, which are common concerns after menopause and are often highly treatable when addressed promptly. Intimacy, sexual wellness, and overall vitality remain important and welcome parts of the conversation.
Why Do Patients Choose Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates for Their Well Women Exams?
Since 1963, we have been a trusted leader in women’s health care. Today, we carry this legacy of excellence forward while reimagining what women’s wellness looks and feels like. We offer comprehensive, full-spectrum gynecological and obstetric care in an environment designed for comfort, calm, and emotional safety. The modern woman deserves modern, thoughtful, individualized care.
Our specialists are committed to treating the whole woman while delivering the same high-quality, advanced care our patients have come to expect over the decades. We honor our medical tradition while infusing the genuine sense of community care that has been missing from women’s health care. Full-spectrum support, clinical excellence, and an experience-focused environment keep each patient at the center of her own care. Our patients know they are not just a name on a roster; they are whole, unique individuals who are about to receive the care they need and deserve.
Schedule Your Well Woman Annual Gynecological Exam Today
Experience Women’s Health Care Differently.
At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, our specialists are proud to offer the individualized, supportive care today’s women need from their doctors. Each annual gynecological exam is designed around the woman you are today and the woman you aspire to be in the future. Gone are the days of sterile, clinical care. Our carefully curated office is designed to welcome you into a safe space where you can be your authentic self. When your care team is able to care for you as you are, you can move through the world with confidence and, most importantly, wellness.
To schedule your annual gynecological exam in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online. We have redefined women’s health care for you.
Annual Wellness Gynecological Exams FAQs
At what age should I schedule my first OB/GYN visit?
Generally, you should schedule your first OB/GYN appointment between the ages of 18 and 21, especially if you are sexually active. This is an important step in establishing care, building a positive relationship with your provider, understanding your body, and empowering yourself to take charge of your health.
Which vaccines are necessary?
There are a number of vaccines recommended for women throughout adulthood, including the annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the HPV vaccine, and the Tdap and RSV vaccines during pregnancy. For more information about immunizations, please visit the CDC at cdc.gov/vaccines and Immunization for Women at immunizationforwomen.org.
Can I bring up questions not related to gynecological health with my provider?
Absolutely! Nothing exists in isolation. We encourage our patients to openly discuss all of their concerns, including substance use disorders, concerns about substance use, smoking or tobacco use, emotional wellness, weight concerns, acne, and more.
What can I do to take charge of my health and lifestyle?
We encourage every patient to be an active leader in their health care. A few ways you can do this include:
- Be involved in your health care.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Be open with your doctor about your sexual history or any symptoms you may have.
- See your doctor on a regular basis or as soon as a problem develops.