Highlights
- A penile ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves to detect blood flow in and out of the penis.
- This procedure can help diagnose erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, cancer, and other conditions.
- Penile ultrasound is efficient, painless, accurate, and helpful in early detection of certain diseases or conditions.
- During the procedure, your doctor will give you an injection in the shaft of your penis to induce an erection, then use an ultrasound wand to capture images of the penile artery.
Penile ultrasound offers a way to study conditions related to the penis, including erectile dysfunction (ED). This diagnostic test takes images of the inside of the penis to assess blood flow and find potential blockages or abnormalities.
As with any type of diagnostic test or imaging, your doctor wants to know what’s happening inside the body. This allows them to choose the next best step to help you with ED or other conditions.
Here’s a closer look at penile ultrasound, how it works, and what you should expect from the results.
What Is a Penile Ultrasound?
Penile ultrasound is an imaging procedure done in your healthcare provider’s office. It uses sound waves to assess blood flow in and out of the penis. These sound waves create images of the inside of your penis, allowing your doctor to better understand conditions like ED.
During the procedure, your doctor will inject the shaft of the penis with a vasodilator, which creates an erection. Your penis will need to be erect to adequately assess the blood flow. Next, your doctor will move an ultrasound probe along the shaft of your penis to view the penile artery.
Ultrasound relies on high-frequency sound waves and their echoes to take pictures. The sound waves bounce off the blood vessels and change pitch due to the blood moving inside the body. If there is no change in pitch, there’s no blood moving in that area.
Vascular disease (problems with blood flow) is the most common cause of ED. Because erections require adequate blood flow to the penis, a decrease in blood flow could be the cause of your ED. A penile ultrasound can help your doctor recommend the best treatment.
Why Would I Need a Penile Ultrasound?
If you’re struggling with ED, your healthcare provider may recommend a penile ultrasound.
However, ED isn’t the only reason a person might need a penile ultrasound. Other possible reasons include:
- Peyronie’s disease. Also called penile curvature, Peyronie’s disease is a chronic condition where scar tissue forms in the deep tissue of the penis, which causes bent, often painful erections.
- Penile trauma. Trauma to the penis can occur in various ways, such as falling on bicycle handles or penile fractures.
- An extended erection. Erections lasting longer than four hours caused without stimulation or sexual arousal (a condition called priapism) may warrant a penile ultrasound.
Your doctor may recommend a penile ultrasound alongside other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, blood tests, or urinalysis, depending on your symptoms.
Benefits of a Penile Ultrasound
Penile ultrasounds are flexible diagnostic tools that can help detect a wide range of medical conditions. The following advantages make penile ultrasound a preferred option:
- Non-invasive. Penile ultrasound is non-invasive, with no surgery and no rest days or recovery time required.
- Low risk. You might experience slight discomfort when receiving the penile injection for the ultrasound, and your erection may last longer than four hours; otherwise, this procedure is considered very low risk.
- Time-efficient. From the moment you arrive to the time you leave your doctor’s office, the entire procedure takes about 90 minutes.
- Accuracy. Penile ultrasounds are highly accurate and reliable in diagnosing conditions, allowing your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about how to proceed with your care.
- Early detection. Penile ultrasound can help detect silent conditions like coronary artery disease, tumors, and plaque calcifications to help patients get treatment before experiencing major health impacts.
Your doctor will use your penile ultrasound results to recommend treatment for your condition.
What to Expect During the Procedure
A penile ultrasound takes place in your provider’s office and doesn’t require any extensive planning or preparation. However, it’s helpful to know what to expect for peace of mind.
Before Your Penile Ultrasound
Once you schedule your ultrasound, your provider may have certain requirements to follow prior to your procedure.
For example, your doctor may ask you to:
- Skip penile injections (if you use them) the day before and the day after your ultrasound.
- Skip taking certain medications, such as sildenafil or tadalafil, on the day of your ultrasound.
- Avoid sex or masturbation on the day of your ultrasound.
- Avoid taking vasodilators on the day of the ultrasound, as these could lead to a prolonged and painful erection.
These are general guidelines; your doctor may have other instructions or requirements. Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
On the day of your ultrasound, wear loose-fitting clothing. Your erection may not be fully gone by the time your ultrasound is over.
Once you’re in the examining room, a nurse will inject a vasodilator, typically alprostadil, into the shaft of your penis. This will dilate the blood vessels in your penis to improve blood flow and help you achieve an erection. This injection usually doesn’t hurt, but it may feel uncomfortable. Some patients compare it to an insect bite.
During the Penile Ultrasound
Once you achieve an erection, your doctor will ensure it’s rigid enough to conduct the ultrasound. In some cases, you may need an additional injection.
During the procedure, you’ll lie flat on your back on an examining table. Your doctor will apply a gel to the ultrasound probe (called a transducer) connected to the ultrasound machine.
Your doctor will move the ultrasound probe along both sides of your penis to capture images of the penile artery. The ultrasound equipment will collect the soundwave data and transform it into a live video feed for your doctor to review.
After the Penile Ultrasound
Once the procedure is complete, you’ll likely remain in your provider’s office until your erection goes away. If it doesn’t subside within a reasonable time frame, your provider may give you an injection with a medication to reverse the erection.
During this time, you will also speak with your doctor about your results and any treatments they recommend.
From start to finish, the entire procedure takes about 90 minutes. Any discomfort you experience during the injection phase of the procedure should go away quickly.
While it’s not unusual for an erection to take some time to subside following a penile ultrasound, there are specific signs to watch for that indicate when to be concerned. Typically, an erection induced by the procedure should go away within a few hours.
However, if the erection lasts longer than four hours, this could be a sign of priapism and requires immediate medical attention.
Priapism is rare following this procedure, but call your doctor or visit urgent care or the emergency department if you experience any of the following:
- Prolonged duration. If the erection persists beyond four hours, seek medical attention immediately.
- Increasing pain. If the erection becomes increasingly painful, this is a clear signal to contact a healthcare provider.
- Unusual swelling or discoloration. Any changes in the appearance of your penis, such as unusual swelling or discoloration, should prompt a visit to the doctor.
Prompt intervention is critical to prevent long-term erectile tissue damage and ensure the best possible outcome. If you experience any of these symptoms following a penile ultrasound, don’t hesitate to get medical assistance to avoid permanent damage.
Interpreting the Results
Your doctor will use the ultrasound images to understand your ED symptoms and provide a diagnosis. Specifically in the case of ED, your doctor will look for signs of blood flow restriction and its potential causes.
Based on the findings in the penile ultrasound, your ED may fall into one of three categories: psychogenic, organic, or mixed.
- Organic ED. This type of ED is due to physical problems and may be sub-categorized by other criteria.
- Psychogenic ED. ED may be due to stress or psychological factors not caused by physical ailments.
- Mixed ED. This is the most common type of ED and includes psychogenic and organic factors.
After reviewing your results, your doctor may recommend treatment options, such as oral medications for ED like Viagra, Cialis, or vardenafil (formerly sold as Levitra). Treatments will vary based on your diagnosis.
Conclusion
Erectile dysfunction affects as many as 30 million men in the United States, but you don’t have to be one of them. There are many effective treatment options your doctor may recommend, including oral prescription medication. Talk to your doctor and see how eDrugstore’s erectile dysfunction medications can help you improve your quality of life.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
