I have been wearing a bra daily for many years, actually decades. With my naturally larger-than-normal male breasts and my love for crossdressing, even if it’s just under-dressing, bras have become my favorite piece of clothing.
I wear a bra every day, everywhere, including work, shopping, and outings with friends. However, I don’t draw attention to it. My clothing usually discreetly conceals the fact that I’m wearing a bra. The one exception has been during doctor appointments, such as with my family doctor, cardiologist, urologist, and endocrinologist, or any doctor where I may have to undress in any way. (I have worn a bra to dentist and eye doctor appointments where the risk of undressing is minimal or nonexistent.)
Until now.
After relocating to a new area due to a career change, I had to find all new doctors. I decided that now was the time to start being my true self. None of these doctors knew me or would be “shocked” at seeing me differently than before, although that was probably more of a worry than a reality anyway, with trans-this and trans-that being in the news almost daily.
My first step was with my endocrinologist at my first appointment a few months ago. He conducted a very thorough health history with me, including my sexual history, and a full physical examination that included my breasts, penis, and testicles. I had not worn a bra to this appointment, but during the exam, and especially when he was examining my larger-than-normal breasts, I admitted to him that I usually wore a bra but was afraid to wear it to this appointment. He immediately assured me that it would have been okay and that I was welcome to wear a bra to any of my future appointments with him! Yay! I can’t tell you what a relief it was to hear him say that. During the interview, I also admitted that I enjoy crossdressing to some degree and that I was bisexual, although currently monogamous with my longtime female partner. I’ve never had such an extensive history with any of my doctors, and it was very freeing. One of the results of that first appointment, after hearing about my family’s history of breast cancer, was that he prescribed a mammogram for me. I’ve since had the mammogram and will write about that later.
I’ve had another appointment with the endocrinologist and wore a bra to that appointment. Since I did not have to disrobe this time, I am not sure if the doctor even knew or suspected it. But that was okay; I was just happy to have the freedom to wear it and not have to worry about it either way.
Next, I had to find a new family doctor. I did not have anyone specific in mind, nor did it matter to me if the doctor was male or female, but I did want to be in a certain health network in my new home area. So, I found a practice accepting new patients and made an appointment.
I was determined to wear my bra to the appointment, and with the support of my SO, was encouraged to stick with my decision.
My new doctor was a very nice lady, probably in her early 40s if my judgment of age is anywhere near accurate. She also did an extensive health history before examining me, since this was my first time seeing her, but did not ask about my sexual history as the endocrinologist had. (This was a different health network, so she did not have immediate access to his notes.) I did not have to disrobe, so she did not see my bra. However, she extensively listened to my heart and lungs (chest and back), placing her stethoscope on my shirt-covered bra several times. She never said or gave any indication that she knew I was wearing a bra. Overall, it was a very good visit.
…if you want to wear a bra to your next doctor appointment, go for it!
Due to previously diagnosed heart disease in my history, she referred me to a cardiologist, which was my next step. I knew this could be more challenging because every cardiologist I’d seen previously required me to strip to my waist to do an EKG as the first part of the exam.
I was a little nervous when I showed up for my first appointment with my new cardiologist last week. However, I was determined to continue being my true self and wearing a bra to all my doctor appointments. So I did.
The technician escorted me to an exam room where she went through my heart health history before the doctor’s visit. Despite my nervous jokes, she remained professional and businesslike, not even cracking a smile. Then she asked me to remove my shirt for the EKG. Moment of truth. I knew this was coming, so I had worn my best-fitting black bra—the one in the illustration of this post, to be exact—my favorite bra.
As she stood in front of me readying the EKG machinery, I pulled my polo shirt over my head, fully exposing my bra. Throwing my shirt on the chair next to me, I quickly began to take off my bra. Just as I unhooked it, she said, “Oh, you don’t have to remove that!” Darn! Since I already had it unhooked, I just continued taking it off and laid it on the chair beside me. I would have loved to keep it on while she administered the EKG, and you’d better believe I’ll keep it on next time! Later, I found out, through additional research, that women usually don’t need to remove their bras for an EKG. I wish I had known that before my appointment.
After completing my EKG, the technician told me I could get dressed and that the doctor would be with me shortly.
The cardiologist joined me a few minutes later and we had a pleasant conversation before he picked up his stethoscope to listen to my heart and lungs. He moved it numerous times over my shirt, his fingertips also touching me through my shirt and on my bra. Although he could feel it, he never mentioned or gave any indication that he knew or cared that I was wearing a bra.
As a follow-up to his exam, I had to undergo some blood work and a chest x-ray at a testing facility about a mile away from the cardiologist’s office. They were waiting for me when I arrived and immediately directed me to an exam room where two tubes of my blood were drawn. From there, I was taken across the hall to the x-ray room for my chest x-ray. I was directed to a small side room and instructed to remove all clothing and jewelry above my waist, and put on the hospital gown laying on the chair. The young lady then closed the door and allowed me to change privately. I folded my shirt and bra, leaving them on the chair where the hospital gown had been. Bra on top, of course.
After the x-ray, which only took a few minutes, I returned to the room and was able to put on my bra and shirt again in private. They had not been touched since I left them; I don’t know if anyone saw them while I was gone, but it didn’t matter.
In conclusion…
After my recent positive experiences wearing a bra to my doctor appointments, I realized I never need to be afraid to wear my bra to a doctor appointment again! My experiences were only positive, even if the bra was clearly seen by medical personnel. I’ve since learned that doctors and other medical professionals are trained to provide respectful and non-judgmental care to all patients, regardless of gender or personal preferences. If a male patient feels more comfortable wearing a bra during a medical examination, it is important for him to communicate this with his doctor so that the doctor can accommodate his needs and provide the best possible care.
It’s also worth noting that doctors and other medical professionals are bound by strict ethical and legal standards regarding patient privacy and confidentiality. Any information shared during a medical examination, including a patient’s choice of clothing, is strictly confidential and cannot be disclosed without the patient’s explicit consent, except in cases where there is a legal obligation to do so (e.g. suspected abuse or neglect).
So, if you want to wear a bra to your next doctor appointment, go for it!
