Penile Function / Impotence Testing
Penile function testing evaluates the arterial (vascular) contribution to erectile dysfunction (impotence). By non-invasively measuring penile blood pressure and arterial inflow, it helps distinguish vasculogenic ED from non-vascular causes — with no injections and no imaging.
Penile function testing is a non-invasive, arterial assessment of the blood supply to the penis. Using a small pressure cuff together with Doppler and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, it measures penile systolic pressure and the Penile-Brachial Index (PBI) — the ratio of penile to arm systolic pressure — to identify reduced arterial inflow as a vasculogenic cause of erectile dysfunction.
- Non-invasive — performed in the flaccid state, no injection
- Assesses arterial inflow to the penis (vasculogenic ED)
- Helps separate vascular from non-vascular causes of impotence
A small cuff is placed at the base of the penis while a Doppler or PPG sensor detects flow in the penile (dorsal) artery. The cuff is inflated above systolic pressure and slowly released; the pressure at which arterial flow returns is the penile systolic pressure. Dividing it by the brachial (arm) systolic pressure gives the Penile-Brachial Index (PBI). Penile pulse volume recordings (PVR) and PPG/Doppler waveforms add detail on the quality of arterial inflow.
- Penile systolic pressure and Penile-Brachial Index (PBI)
- Penile pulse volume recording (PVR) and PPG/Doppler waveforms
- Performed flaccid and non-invasively — no pharmacological injection
Penile function testing helps clinicians:
- Identify a vasculogenic (arterial) cause of erectile dysfunction
- Distinguish vascular from non-vascular (neurologic or psychogenic) causes
- Flag systemic arterial disease — a low PBI is associated with increased cardiovascular risk
As a guide, a PBI above ~0.75 is considered normal, while a PBI below ~0.60 suggests arterial insufficiency. Penile function testing assesses arterial inflow only; it does not evaluate venous (veno-occlusive) function, which requires ultrasound imaging or invasive studies.
VasoGuard runs ABI, TBI, segmental-pressure, PVR, PPG, and Doppler exams using the same small cuffs, photoplethysmography (PPG), and continuous-wave Doppler a penile arterial study uses — delivering the systolic pressures, pressure indices, pulse volume recordings, and waveforms clinicians rely on.
- Penile-Brachial Index (PBI) from penile and brachial pressures
- High-resolution PVR, PPG, and Doppler waveform display
- Comprehensive reporting, export, and EMR integration