For patients in South Africa

Ejaculation disorders treatment in Turkey from South Africa: what to expect

Premature, delayed and retrograde ejaculation, and anejaculation, are common and treatable, but the right approach depends on the cause, which may be physical, psychological or both. This page explains the main types, how they are assessed and treated, and when it is worth travelling from South Africa to İzmir.

The main types

Ejaculation disorders affect the timing, control or sensation of ejaculation. They are among the most common sexual health concerns in men and can occur at any age. There are four main types:

• Premature ejaculation: ejaculation sooner than wanted, with little control, causing distress to you or your partner. It is the most commonly reported type.
• Delayed ejaculation: taking a long time to ejaculate, or being unable to, despite enough stimulation. Causes include nerve problems, diabetes, hormones, medicines (particularly some antidepressants) and psychological factors.
• Retrograde ejaculation: semen flows back into the bladder, so little or none comes out and urine may look cloudy afterwards. It is usually painless and not harmful, but can affect fertility. Causes include prostate or bladder neck surgery, diabetes and some medicines.
• Anejaculation: no ejaculation at all, which may follow spinal cord injury, severe nerve damage, advanced diabetes, some medicines or psychological trauma.

Assessment comes first

Because the same symptom can have physical or psychological causes, and sometimes points to another condition such as diabetes, a medical assessment comes before treatment. It usually includes a detailed medical, sexual and psychological history, an examination by a urologist, blood tests for hormones and glucose, a urine test (especially if retrograde ejaculation is suspected) and, when needed, nerve studies or imaging.

Treatment options

• Behavioural techniques, pelvic floor physiotherapy and sex therapy, often the first step for premature ejaculation
• Medicines chosen for the specific disorder, or changes to existing medicines that may be causing it
• Testosterone replacement only where a deficiency is confirmed, with monitoring
• Lifestyle changes such as managing stress and drinking less
• Rarely, a procedure: correcting an obstruction, treating complications of earlier nerve or prostate surgery, or fertility procedures for anejaculation

Medical and non-surgical treatment usually involves little or no downtime, with gradual improvement over weeks. Possible downsides include medicine side effects, hormonal problems if treatment is not monitored, and improvement that is only partial. More detail is on the ejaculatory disorders page.

Is it worth the trip from South Africa?

For most men, no, not on its own. Behavioural therapy, counselling and medicine adjustments are ongoing and are better managed close to home. A trip to İzmir can make sense for a specialist assessment combined with other planned treatment, or where a procedure is needed, for example for fertility in anejaculation, when male infertility treatment may be relevant. Flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town take around ten hours to Istanbul, then a short flight to İzmir.

• South Africans need an e-Visa; see our e-Visa guide.
• İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, so online follow-up is easy to arrange.
• Take home a written summary, test results and prescription details for your doctor in South Africa.
• South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment.

Our urologists are listed on clinic facts, and related care is in our men’s health in Turkey guide. What our treatment guarantee covers, and how complaints are handled on our complaints page, is published.

What we will not do

We will not promise a particular time or level of control, we will not start medication before an assessment, and we will not suggest surgery where behavioural or medical treatment is the right first step. Consultations are confidential.

Frequently asked questions

Are ejaculation disorders common?

Yes. Premature ejaculation in particular is very common among men of all ages.

Can the cause be psychological?

Yes. Psychological factors often play a major part, either alone or alongside physical causes, which is why the assessment covers both.

Do ejaculation disorders affect fertility?

Not always. Retrograde ejaculation and anejaculation can affect fertility, while premature ejaculation usually does not.

How long does treatment take to work?

It depends on the cause and the treatment, and usually ranges from weeks to months.

Is it worth travelling from South Africa just for this?

Usually not on its own, because most treatment is ongoing and best managed at home. It makes more sense combined with other planned treatment or where a procedure is needed.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.