I underwent a radical prostatectomy three months ago. How long does it take for erectile function to return?
Your age and the functioning of your erectile system before surgery will be important factors in the after-effects of the surgery. If you were experiencing an inability to obtain or maintain an erection prior to surgery, this will not be regained. We have to keep in mind that the aim of the surgery is to remove the cancer. The nerve supply responsible for erections runs right along the prostate. As a consequence, it is sometimes extremely difficult for your surgeon, even using the nerve-sparing technique, not to damage them. If nerves are only partially damaged, they still have the capacity to recover. If they were completely cut, they cannot. Recovering nerves will grow back at the rate of one millimetre per day. This may explain why it may take up to eighteen months or more for erectile function to continue to improve. It is important, though, to realize that treatments can be started as soon as one month after the surgery, assuming you have regained your bladder control. Newer techn
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- I underwent a radical prostatectomy three months ago. How long does it take for erectile function to return?
