What each treatment does
- Radical prostatectomy
- The neurovascular bundles carrying the erection signal sit on either side of the prostate. Even when they are preserved, surgical handling causes neuropraxia — a temporary loss of function that recovers slowly as nerves regenerate. Rates of recovery vary enormously with age, pre-operative function, whether one or both bundles were spared, and surgeon experience.
- External beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy
- Erectile function is usually preserved initially, then declines over the following two to three years as radiation-induced vascular and neural fibrosis develops. The pattern is the reverse of surgery: worse later rather than immediately.
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
- Removing testosterone eliminates libido as well as impairing erections. PDE5 inhibitors are much less effective without desire. This needs to be discussed as a distinct issue.
- Focal therapy (HIFU, cryotherapy)
- Generally lower rates of erectile dysfunction than whole-gland treatment, but not zero, and long-term data are less mature.
- BPH surgery (TURP and similar)
- Erectile dysfunction is uncommon. Retrograde ejaculation — semen passing into the bladder — is very common and is often confused with ED by men who were not warned about it.
Penile rehabilitation
The rationale is straightforward. Erectile tissue depends on regular oxygenation from erections. Without them, over months, the tissue undergoes fibrosis and loses elasticity — so by the time the nerves recover, the tissue may no longer be able to respond. Rehabilitation aims to keep blood moving through the tissue during the recovery window.
- Daily or on-demand PDE5 inhibitors, often started soon after catheter removal.
- Vacuum erection devices, typically used daily without the constriction ring, purely for oxygenation. See vacuum devices.
- Injection therapy, which works independently of nerve signalling and is often the most effective option in the first year. See penile injections.
A realistic timeline after surgery
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Little or no spontaneous erectile function. Focus on continence recovery and starting rehabilitation. Injections are often the only thing that works. |
| 3–12 months | Gradual return of partial erections in men with nerve-sparing surgery. PDE5 inhibitors begin to have an effect for some. |
| 12–24 months | The main recovery window. Many men who will regain function do so here. |
| Beyond 24 months | Further improvement becomes less likely. This is the point at which implant surgery is often discussed. |
Two other changes catch men by surprise and are worth knowing in advance: ejaculation stops entirely after prostatectomy, because the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed — orgasm still occurs, but dry. Some men also notice a reduction in penile length. Both should have been covered in pre-operative counselling; if they were not, they are still normal.
If function does not return
After two years with a good rehabilitation effort, options remain — and satisfaction with them is high.
- Injection therapy works for the large majority of men after prostatectomy, because it bypasses the nerve signal entirely.
- Vacuum devices work mechanically and can be combined with other treatments.
- Penile implants have the highest satisfaction rate of any ED treatment, and post-prostatectomy patients are among the most satisfied groups.
- Counselling for you and your partner. Cancer treatment changes more than erections, and that deserves attention in its own right.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does recovery take after prostate surgery?
For men who recover, most improvement happens between 12 and 24 months. Improvement after two years is less common, though not impossible.
Does nerve-sparing surgery guarantee I will recover?
No. It substantially improves the odds, but outcomes depend on age, pre-operative function, whether both bundles were spared and surgical technique.
Will Viagra work after prostatectomy?
It depends on nerve recovery. In the first months it often does not, because there is no nerve signal for it to amplify. Effectiveness improves as nerves recover.
Why is there no semen when I orgasm?
The prostate and seminal vesicles produce most of the ejaculate and are removed during prostatectomy. Orgasm still happens, but it is dry. This is expected and permanent.
Is ED after radiotherapy different?
Yes, in its timing. Radiotherapy tends to preserve function initially and cause gradual decline over two to three years, whereas surgery causes immediate loss followed by potential recovery.
Sources
What this is based on
We link to primary sources — clinical guidelines, regulator publications and peer-reviewed research — wherever possible. Links open on third-party sites we do not control.
- [01]American Urological Association. Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline (2018).
- [02]Urology Care Foundation. What is Erectile Dysfunction?.
- [03]National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction.