Penile Rehabilitation
Our urologists offer therapies to help you get and keep an erection after prostate cancer treatment.
Medically reviewed by Philip Hsiao, M.D. on April 15, 2026.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect of treatment. ED can happen after surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy, and it can continue for a year or more after treatment ends. treatment. ED can happen after surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy, and it can continue for a year or more after treatment ends.
The UC Davis Health urology team understands that sexual health is important to your overall wellness. Our experts offer a range of penile rehabilitation therapies to help keep your penis tissue healthy and support the nerves that control erections.
Your urologist will discuss your rehabilitation options and create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.
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Penile Rehabilitation Therapies
Getting an erection soon after prostate cancer treatment helps keep the tissues in your penis strong, which is important for your sexual health. If you are unable to get an erection naturally, you may benefit from penile rehabilitation. To support your recovery, our urologists offer a variety of rehabilitation options. Your care team will discuss the best option for your situation.
Erectile Dysfunction Medication
Oral medications such as tadalafil help open the blood vessels in your penis, enhancing your ability to get and maintain an erection.
Penis Pump
A penis pump is a vacuum device you place over your penis. It uses gentle suction to draw blood into your penis, helping you get an erection.
Injection for Erectile Dysfunction
Medications injected into your penis with a very small needle can help you get a firmer and longer-lasting erection. Your urologist administers the first injection and teaches you how to self-administer the medication at home.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
Exercises to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor can help treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment.
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Penile Implant Options
If other penile rehabilitation therapies don’t help you get an erection, you may benefit from a penile implant. Our surgeons have expertise in penile implant procedures. Your urologist will discuss the best option that meets your needs and preferences.
Three-Piece Inflatable Penile Implant
Your urologic surgeon places tubes inside your penis, a pump in your scrotum and a reservoir for fluids behind your groin muscles. The pump transfers fluid to the tubes, helping you get an erection.
Malleable Implant
Your urologic surgeon implants bendable silicone rods into your penis. The rods help your penis stay firm enough for sex.
Penile Implant Surgery
Penile implants are minimally invasive, outpatient procedures. Most people go home the day of surgery.
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Before the Surgery
If you have general anesthesia, you receive medicine in an IV that makes you sleep during the procedure and not feel pain. For local anesthesia, your urologist injects numbing medication around the surgical site, so you won’t feel discomfort.
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During Surgery
You receive anesthesia in an IV and are asleep during the procedure. Your surgeon makes a small incision and inserts the implant.
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Recovering from Penile Implant Surgery
Your care team will give you instructions for recovery and at-home care. You may feel discomfort, bruising or swelling for a few weeks. Most people can begin sex around eight weeks after surgery.
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