Penile ultrasound can be used to evaluate many conditions affecting the penis, including Erectile Dysfunction (ED), plaques (such as those caused by Peyronie’s disease), fibrosis, lumps, and even cancer.
What to expect during the ultrasound study
You will be lying on your back on the examining table. A penile injection will be performed to provide the penis with a medicine that causes increased inflow by vasodilating the penile arteries. Once this is accomplished at timely intervals (5 and 15 minutes), an ultrasound of the cavernosal arteries of both sides of the penis will be performed. To do the penile Doppler study, a probe is lubricated and placed on the penis.
A Doppler ultrasound is noninvasive and the test itself shouldn’t hurt. You may experience a very short, mild discomfort initially during the penile injection. Men might also feel dizzy for a few minutes. If the induced erection lasts longer than the test, the doctor might give another injection so the penis will become flaccid again. Men are usually advised not to take any erectile dysfunction medications for a day or two before the test.
