This information explains what to expect before and during your penile ultrasound.
An ultrasound is an imaging test. It uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body.
A penile ultrasound is an ultrasound that shows the blood flow into and out of your penis. If you have penile curvature (a curve in your penis), it can also measure the curvature. These things can help your doctor decide which treatment is best for you.
Your partner or other family members cannot be in the room during your ultrasound. After your ultrasound, they can be with you while your doctor talks with you about your results and treatment plan.
Before Your Penile Ultrasound Appointment
- If you take a blood pressure medication, make sure you take it the day of your ultrasound. We’ll need to reschedule your ultrasound if your blood pressure is too high.
- If you take sildenafil (Viagra®), avanafil (Stendra®), or vardenafil (Levitra®), or tadalafil (Cialis®) do not take it the day of your ultrasound appointment.
- If you use penile injections (Trimix, Bimix, or papaverine), do not inject for 24 hours (1 day) before and 24 hours after your ultrasound appointment.
- We recommend wearing loose-fitting pants on the day of your ultrasound.
During Your Penile Ultrasound Appointment
A penile ultrasound needs to be done while you have a rigid (hard) erection. It’s important to get to your appointment on time. This allows for enough time to make sure you have a rigid erection.
During your appointment, you may see a nurse practitioner (NP), registered nurse (RN), fellow (doctor), or all 3. It’s possible that 1 or more of these healthcare providers will be female.
Before your ultrasound
An NP or RN will inject medication into the side of the shaft of your penis. They will use a small, short needle. It might be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not hurt. The medication they inject will help you get an erection.
After they give the injection, the NP or RN will leave the clinic room. There will be erotic videos available on an iPad in the room. You can watch them if you want to, but you do not have to.
During your ultrasound
When you’re ready, a fellow will come into the room. First, they will check how rigid your erection is. If it needs to be harder, they will inject more medication into the shaft of your penis.
Next, the fellow will put a special ultrasound gel on your penis. They will move a small device called a probe over the outside of your penis. If you have a curvature or other signs you may have Peyronie’s disease, they will take measurements of your penis.
After your ultrasound
After your penile ultrasound, you will need to stay in the office for at least 30 minutes. This allows time to make sure your erection goes away completely. If it does not go away on its own, you will need medication to help your erection go away. The NP or fellow will give you 1 or more reversal injections into the shaft of your penis.
During this time, your doctor will explain the results of your ultrasound. They will also talk with you about your treatment plan.
Your whole appointment should take about 60 to 90 minutes.
After Your Penile Ultrasound Appointment
If you use penile injections (Trimix, Bimix, or papaverine), do not inject for 24 hours after your ultrasound appointment.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, contact a member of your healthcare team directly. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through MyMSK, our patient portal. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. For more information, including instructions for signing up for MyMSK, read Communicating With Your Care Team: When to Call or Use MyMSK.
If you need to reach a healthcare provider after , during the weekend, or on a holiday, call 212-639-2000.
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