The goal of a Doppler ultrasound is understand the anatomy of the penis, its function, and the possible changes in the blood flow.

Dr. François Hairstyle Ibarra, chief of Urology at the complejo hospitalario Ruber Juan Bravo This link will open in a new window, telling us that “the ultrasound of the penis is the diagnostic test is more important to investigate in depth the different diseases that affect the same”.


In addition, this imaging technique facilitates the exploration of the structures of the penis, as the cavernous bodies involved in the erections and the spongy bodies containing the urethra and the blood vessels.

It should be noted that the Doppler ultrasound has been used for decades to diagnose and treat other diseases. As pointed out by our urologist, “ultrasound has become significantly important in the evaluation of organ systems, which often leads to the diagnosis of diseases and conditions without exposure to ionized radiation”.

Let's take a look at your application in the investigation of the penis and erectile dysfunction of vascular origin.

Doppler ultrasound of the penis: what for?

It is used to study conditions that affect the penis, such as:

  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Penile curvature or peyronie's disease
  • hurt
  • Thrombosis of the vein of the penis
  • Parties abnormal or painful penis

This test is performed on male genitals.

Usually, the patient is placed in supine position during this test. Its approximate duration is one hour, because that would take a series of measurements of the vascular changes that originate in the penis, both flaccid state as erect.

To explore the erection of the penis, the doctor explained, “this erection is achieved by the injection painless of a substance called prostaglandin, which act without sexual stimulation”. In this way, the parameters of vascular can be observed and measured in real-time as erection occurs. This is especially useful to study certain functions of the penis. For example, our doctor points out that “in peyronie's disease panels can be seen that cause curvature of the penis”.

Benefits of ultrasound of penis

This test allows one to study non-invasively the anatomy of the penis and its function. Other benefits are:

  • without pain
  • it is not invasive
  • Emits No radiation
  • Collection of data high-precision, vascular flow to the penis
  • Helps to detect in men with increased risk of heart disease
  • Improve decision making on the most suitable treatments for each case

Our doctor emphasizes this last advantage: “This test is important because the results of the test can guide medical or surgical treatments later, as a prosthesis or a surgery peyronie's, or even shed light on cardiovascular disease in early stage”.

Under what circumstances is it recommended that this investigation of the penis?

In general, it is recommended in cases in which the therapies for erectile dysfunction are not effective, since the information obtained allows establishing new treatment alternatives. Ultrasonography is also indicated in men younger than 40 years with the following characteristics:

  • Who has ever had a pelvic injury?
  • People who have had surgery for prostate, rectum, or bladder
  • Curved penis or other deformities
  • Having a family history of cardiovascular disease.
  • At risk for psychological erectile dysfunction