I’ve had a couple of ECGs recently before a medication change, but yesterday’s was different.
Normally, electrodes are placed on my wrists and ankles, but this time they were put near my shoulders and hips, along with the usual chest placement.
I’m trans masculine and haven’t had surgery yet. I have a large, hairy chest, and I prefer removing my top completely rather than being seen in a bra. At a previous ECG, a nurse awkwardly lifted my shirt to move it around my bra, which I found far more uncomfortable.
So this time, when the nurse said she needed access to my chest, I told her I’d rather take everything above the waist off, which I did before lying down.
Then she explained she’d need access to my hips, so I had to undo my belt, unbutton my shorts, and lower them a bit more when asked. It felt like the very top of my pubic hair might have been exposed.
I wasn’t focused on that in the moment because I was worried about my health, but now that I know everything’s fine, I’ve been thinking about the experience a lot.