It’s almost certain that you will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction in the first few months after prostate surgery — even nerve-sparing procedures — or radiation treatment for prostate cancer, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The foundation says the explanation for this is fairly simple: “The nerves and blood vessels that control the physical aspect of an erection are incredibly delicate, and any trauma to the area will result in changes to the natural order.”
But don’t give up hope. PCF says that within one year after treatment many men with intact nerves will see significant improvement in their ability to achieve an erection. Roughly 40 to 50 percent of men who’ve undergone nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy will have returned to their pre-treatment function. That number grows to nearly 60 percent with two years of treatment.
Using Viagra, Cialis, or another prescription impotence medication can help the vast majority of men who’ve undergone nerve-sparing radical prostatecomy to successfully achieve erections, according to PCF.