Objecting to Genital Exams as a Teenager

In my early teenage years (ages 13, 14, and 15), I was required to get thorough “full physical” exams which required me to undergo a genital exam while I was completely nude. It was something that I really dreaded and even tried to get out of, to no avail. Here’s a breakdown of my exams and my reactions.

First exam (age 13):

I was in 7th grade and the middle school that I started at required that students undergo a “full physical”. I had been to doctors before this but never really had to undress apart from taking my shirt off. I got dropped off at the doctor’s office, checked in, and got taken to the exam room. The doctor came in, checks my eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Then instructed me “take off all of your clothes except for your underwear”. I was not expecting this at all and was surprised by the request, but I cooperated. After I stripped down to my boxers, I had to do a series of maneuvers while he observed me: move my arms in different directions, hop on one leg, walk across the room as fast as possible, walk on my tiptoes, walk on my heels, duck walk, etc. My penis fell out of my boxers once or twice during the maneuvers which I found humiliating. Towards the end of the examination, I was asked to lye supine on the exam table for him to feel my chest and stomach. He palpated by abdomen all the way down to my boxers’ waistband, then, without warning, he pulled by boxers down to my ankles and removed my right leg from my underwear hole. I was essentially completely naked on the exam table during the genital exam. I found this very jarring but did not object while it was happening.

Second exam (age 14):

About a year later, my mother received notice than I needed to undergo another “full physical” and scheduled the appointment for me. When I was told that I had to get a physical, I was very upset. I told my mom to tell the doctor that I did not want an exam of my private area. My mom spoke to the doctor about my concerns, but he said that a genital exam was required and that there was no way around it. I dreaded the appointment more and more as the date drew closer. On the day of the physical, I made sure to wear boxer briefs instead of the boxers that I normally wore to make sure than my genitals did not slip out when I was doing maneuvers like squats or a duck walk. When he told me to strip down to my underwear, I rolled my eyes and pouted, but ultimately complied. At the end of this exam, when he was done palpating my abdomen, he acknowledged my concerns about the upcoming genital exam by saying “Tommy, I have to check your penis and testicles to make sure that you’re healthy”. I made my displeasure known, replying “ugh, no”, to which he replied, “yes, it will only take a minute or two”. I then closed my eyes as he removed my underwear and performed an extensive inspection and examination of my penis, testicles, and scrotum while I was completely nude.

Third exam (age 15):

The following year when I was told that I would be getting a physical, I was displeased, but I knew that there was nothing that I could do about it. I was resigned to my fate. On the day of my physical, I was dreading what was going to happen, but I wanted to maintain as much dignity as possible. I wore my best pair of underwear and groomed myself in anticipation of being seen naked. I tried to have a good attitude this time around and, when I was asked to strip down to my underwear, I did so with no hesitation or trepidation. During the abdominal exam at the end, my heart started pounding knowing when was about to happen. When the moment arrived this time, he simply said “I’m going to check your penis and testicles” before removing my underwear for the inspection. This time, I kept my eyes open and mostly looked at the ceiling while he inspected and palpated my pubic hair and genitals. When he was done, he watched me put my underwear back on while I was nude on the exam table. When I stood up, he shook my hand and complimented my underwear choice (they had a unique design).

Did anyone have similar experiences?

I only objected once and I think I was either 14 or 15 and my step mother had been taking me for 2 or 3 years to a female pediatrician and the previous year when the doctor removed my underwear I immediately got an erection and had to lie there while my step mother watched the entire genital exam. I thought she would at least look away but didn’t so this time I refused to lie down at the end because I knew what was happening. I remember the doctor saying it’s very important for me to examine your abdomen and “down there”. I said only if she leaves the room and the doctor said she’s your legal guardian and you’re still considered a child and she has chosen to be in the room which you nor I can object to. She said I know it’s embarrassing but she has signed the consent for a full physical exam and we are going to do that whether you cooperate or not. I said something like you can’t make me. She said don’t force me to have a nurse and your mother restrain you it will be much worse. I thought that over and gave up and lied down and she said lift up your bum and removed my underwear. Of course I got another erection and my face turned bright red but there was nothing I could do but lie there.

I never overtly objected to having a physical exam out of fear of retribution for obstinate behavior. Beatings, abuse and neglect are cottage industries when a child is a ward of the state. I was 11 years old and 3 weeks with my new Foster Parents. Despite the fact they seemed to be doing all the right things to gain my love and trust I was a train wreck. I was thin, weak and asthmatic. I also had bouts of severe anxiety and insomnia.They wanted me on the healing road and the first stop was the doctor's office. I was so terrified I had an asthmatic attack during my physical. My FP's and the doctor took the time needed for me to calm down.

The doctor then had me stand up and told me to take my underwear off. She promised she wouldn't hurt me. I released a deep breath and off they went. I handed my dad my underwear and faced the doctor who then told me to spread my legs shoulder width apart and place my hands behind my head. She then felt my lower abdomen and moved her gloved hands to my circumcised penis, feeling the head and shaft, causing me to become erect. She then carefully rolled each testicle then checked me for a hernia. As I was slipping back into my underwear my doctor told me a lot of boys my age start to worry about their developing manhood. She assured me that all was well iny case.

She then had me sit on the exam table. She rubbed my hair and placed her hand under my chin and told me things were going to be ok. I was behind on my immunizations and had to take 4 shots, an EKG, a chest x-ray, and lab tests. When it was all said and done I was exhausted but felt a glimmer of hope knowing that I could begin to trust my FP''s as well as my new doctor.

I was around 13 when I had my first genital exam as a teenager. When the doctor told me to lower my underwear, I was shocked a bit but I did not object. I think at that age, I was still a bit afraid of authority figures, so I complied and lowered my shorts for him to examine my genitals.

@daltonclancy After all you went through I’m glad that those particular foster parents and the doctor handled your anxiety well. It’s very understandable given all that you went through.

@daltonclancy After all you went through I’m glad that those particular foster parents and the doctor handled your anxiety well. It’s very understandable given all that you went through.

Thank you. Despite my challenges these three wonderful human beings were there for me. I was adopted 3 years later. My adolescent years were not perfect but all in all I developed stability through nurturing and positive guidance

I never objected but surely showed facial expressions that conveyed my anxiety and displeasure. Typically, as many have reported here, lying or standing there naked completely dissolved any bargaining power to change an outcome. I would hesitate to remove my briefs. Often I would try to cover my genitals only to be admonished or told to keep my hands at my side. No comment other than to "relax" was offered. In the case of a developing erections, "No worries, it happens to a lot of boys this age."

The doctors that I saw were all very kind and professional. Clearly organized about the exam process and skilled. Overall, it was a positive and supportive experience.

I have explained this in detail on a previous post but at a school medical in infant school I was really shocked when the doctor asked me to remove all my clothes and get up on the exam table totally naked.

I just froze and didn't want to take any of my clothes off. It was quite traumatic being asked to do this in what was the school secretary's office.

After quite a long time just standing there refusing to undress, i was told there was no option and the doctor had to look at me without my underwear on.

Instead of having to totally undress, i was instructed to unbutton and open my shirt and lower my trousers and underwear to the floor.

Once i had done this, without further warning, the doctor sat down in front of me on a stool and proceeded to give me a very thorough genital exam.

I didn’t necessarily object but at 16 I went to a new doctor and she actually asked if I was due for the hernia check portion when the exam was concluding. I guess I responded too quickly and instead of accepting my answer she told me to wait right there. What I didn’t know was she was going to the waiting room to ask my mom (this was supposed to be first exam she didn’t accompany). Next thing I know the doc and my mom come into the room and have decided for me that it was necessary to have the check. She had no reason to come back there with the doctor but took a seat like she always had in the past and was witness to my check.