Have you ever been part of a study that involved genital exams?

I was astounded to read that at least one major US university, back some fifty years ago, required every new student to be photographed in the nude. The rationale was that it was for a study by one of their professors. I did some checking, and it seems true. Anyone know about this?

- Ken

It’s been discussed elsewhere on Zity. I can’t find it but will look again tomorrow.

I was astounded to read that at least one major US university, back some fifty years ago, required every new student to be photographed in the nude. The rationale was that it was for a study by one of their professors. I did some checking, and it seems true. Anyone know about this?

There have been several threads or certainly many posts on Zity about the posture photo studies. But search me where the link is though.

In any case, the theory went that some scientists, often eugenicists, believed that a person's accomplishments and certain character traits, could be deduced by studying their body morphology. The different types were called somotypes. The classifications were all very complicated of course and as we know, a person's body can change over time, gaining or losing weight for instance, all which formed a part of the determination of which somotype one belonged to.

By taking (nude) photos of persons growing up, it was thought this would enable scientists to better determine and predict how the study subjects would turn out to be in life. Such studies would have been ideally done in the military, but for whatever reason a few American universities signed on, requiring new students to be photographed nude, front, sides and back undoubtedly.

Nothing seems to have come of the studies apart from several thousand nude posture photos of students that embarrassed university officials and were probably lucky finds for archivists who stumbled upon them. The whole story would make for an engrossing book, especially if profusely illustrated.

Btw: taking nude photos of students or inmates of reform schools and asylums is nothing all that out of the ordinary. In a French book on the history of institutionalized delinquents, a few such photos were reproduced. But the photos were not part of a study like that of somotypes, unless perhaps to try and show/prove the person's inherent criminality. This harkening back to late 19th century ideas about inbred physical and phrenological characteristics of criminals.

Interesting stuff all of this that always seems to include more than just a whiff of voyeuristic tendencies on the part of institutions.

Thanks agracier (post #33 ). You're the best and most knowledgeable Moderator!

How torn must many students have been. The pull and prestige of university studies vs the knowledge of what one of the entry requirements was. (The word would surely have spread quickly.) Of course, back then it wasn't really the thing to question authority. And so, even one's parents may have pushed students to obey what the universities asked. Same as sending Johnnie or Jennie to the doctor, almost! ‘Do exactly what he says. He is there to be obeyed!'

- Ken

How torn must many students have been. The pull and prestige of university studies vs the knowledge of what one of the entry requirements was. (The word would surely have spread quickly.)

My take is that as requirements go, having nude photos taken isn't half as humiliating and demeaning and moreover often dangerous, as a student would face when being hazed. The photo taking would be over in a few minutes and hazing can go on for hours and hours sometimes over days and is quite often done in public, to heighten the humiliation.

But since students have apparently meekly submitted to hazing over the centuries, having nude photos taken would be small potatoes in comparison. And there is always the consolation that you weren't being singled out, but that everyone was required to follow the requirement. Like when being inducted into the military (for the men).

Here's a good introductory link

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatotype_and_constitutional_psychology

@agracier Nothing came out of the studies and I think there were allegations that the photographs were at least partially motivated by the personal enjoyment of some faculty involved.

@agracier Nothing came out of the studies and I think there were allegations that the photographs were at least partially motivated by the personal enjoyment of some faculty involved.

Nothing much was proven by the studies, but if you read some links, the use of somotypes as a classification method was more widely used that you'd think at first. Not that difficult to surmise since people do indeed differ markedly in body types. It's not an outlandish idea to think that the configuration of a person's body has an influence on their actions. At least not as a hypothesis. To prove the assertion either way, requires a rigorous scientific study. And a first step requires acquiring as many samples as possible.

People, artists and scientists have always been recording, drawing, photographing, describing human body types, often enough as nudes. It is, after all, the only way to truly compare body types. Otherwise it would be the recording of fashion. Which is an altogether different field of study.

Thanks, agracier, for the reminder of hazing (post #35 ). That's what we call bastardisation in Australia. A lot of institutions like universities ban it, though.

Anybody find out anything more on the Zity thread that ran here on compulsory nude photographs for ‘fresher’ students (including Hilary Clinton)?

Hmm. I see that even Wikipedia has an entry re compulsory nude photos of first-year students at many Ivy League universities last century.

- Ken

One “Posture Photos” topic… https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=forum;ox=display;msg=308747

Thank you, Miss Stress (post #40 )! You're another of the Moderators who knows where things are and who helps Zity optimise its potential for ‘depth’. I mean it!

- Ken

Not part of a genital exam part but i would definitely sign up for one if it was ever offered. Definitely interesting to see what people have noted here.

I plan on getting my medical records because I think I was. During my teenage years my doctor filled out a separate form that listed my tanner stage for genitals and pubic hair. It was a separate little form that only had that information. I saw it when I brought my medical forms to my first adult doctor but didn't think too much about it until years later. If it's in my records I'll scan and upload them somewhere just because medfet and it's interesting to me that they documented it that way whether it was for an official study or not.

During childhood I remember to have my genitals monitored for development during school physical examinations and reported on a personal chart. The chart for males has two columns explicitly showing male genitalia at different levels of development. The doctor simply encircles current status for pubic hair and testicles/penis development. It was a quite embarassing sort of assessment.

When I was an adult I was involved in a clinical trial for a novel ED treatment. I remember first day after a complete medical exam I was subject to a series of genital examinations including penis/urethra, testicles and prostate. I was then checked by an andrologist with transrectal and transurethral ultrasound probes. Finally by a neuro-urologist and I got also a cystometry and urethral profiling. Despite my medical fetish it was quite trying expecially during use of urethral instruments one after an other... The equipe was very professional and the disconfort was reduced. Second day they prepare me on a urology table with a drape covering the sight of genital area. A rigiscan was applied unfortunately I cannot see exactly what they are doing... Then the drug was administered and other tests performed after and during penile stimulation. Unfortunately some minor issue were discovered in a patient and they decided to stop experimentation. I could finally see the trial responsible I already met: a 60yo pretty female doctor reassuring me all is ok and after an hour I can leave. Befor leaving the clinic she also showed me all reporting documentation of the experimentation including a set of photographs she personally took of my genital area during last procedures for evidence of the effects of the drug. Seeing those photos and being aware they remained available to the medical school was unexpectedly both arousing and embarassing more than what I was subject to during the trial.

I have not. Where do I sign up?

I haven’t. I’ve looked to find but one never been successful

Yes i was part in a development study. Nudy Photos from all Angels and especially genitals flat und stiff.

I was referred to an Endocrinologist by my transgender therapist that is highly known for her knowledge and experience in transgender transitioning. She asked if I would be interested in a testing and study for a new hormone injection.

I was hesitant at first, she explained that there needing a few young and older clients. Add that I would be a good candidate because of my age. After some discussions I gave in to learning about it at a group meeting giving all the details.

After going to the lengthy group meeting of getting all the details involved. Another trans woman and I had some personal questions to ask individually, not as a group. We both shared our thoughts at lunch and had the same personal questions.

We stayed after the meeting to ask our same personnel questions. Then we ended up going out for dinner having more discussions. Now she is my partner long story short.

My partner and I are going thru a testing and study for a new HRT injection for MtF transitioning. The hormone injections study is for research and it's results documented in detail to get FDA approval in the near future.

There's a very strict policy that you must completely abide by and completely committed to. Endocrinologist appointments are required every two weeks that are very detailed and lengthy.

The following procedures are done at each Endocrinologist appointment every two weeks.

1. A very lengthy questionnaire asking everything under the sun related to heath, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

2. Blood test, three large blood vials are drawn each time for numerous testing.

3. Nurse consultation and discussion

with vitals taken. Nurse leaves to disroped completely to skimpy gown.

4. Two nurses do a complete full body measurements including breast, genitals, height and body weight. One nurse measuring and the other nurse documenting. Many photographs are taken nude of full body, head, face, breast, and genitalia.

5. Endocrinologist consultation and discussion with nurse documenting everything (lengthy over the questionnaire and blood test results and any concerns) followed by a quick nude full body screening.

6. Nurse injects the HRT injections in buttocks.

At first the appointments where overwhelming and embarrassing. Especially the photographs being nude with some showing my face and genitalia.

Remember the whole procedure was explained in great detailed before signing on this new HRT testing and study. All photographs are kept in complete confidential for testing and study results only.

Of course we don't know any details about these hormone injections. What I do know is that has completely changed me physically, mentally, and emotionally to become my true authentic self.

I'm extremely satisfied with my amazing transitioning results this far. Having absolutely no regrets because of the results and it's all at no cost for doing the testing and study. They even paid for my orchictomy last October for the study.

So a little embarrassment at first, being measured and photographed nude has subsided. All the time and travel for the appointments is well worth the thousands saved for my SRS bottom surgery in August.

I just want to add, please dont ask any questions regarding the hormone injection itself. Belive me that saying I know nothing about the hormone injection because it's all confidential. I just now the results that it has given me.