Can Priapism Damage be Reversed is a condition characterized by a prolonged, painful erection that lasts for more than 4 hours, and it can occur with or without sexual arousal. If untreated, priapism can lead to serious complications, including permanent damage to the penis, loss of erectile function, or scarring. The key to preventing lasting damage is prompt treatment. Whether the damage caused by priapism can be reversed depends largely on how long the erection persists without intervention and how much damage has already occurred.