For patients in South Africa
Men’s health and urology in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide
This page brings together the men’s health and urology treatments we arrange in İzmir, Turkey, for patients travelling from South Africa. It covers sexual function, hormones and fertility, surgery of the penis and testicles, and kidney stones. Each has its own South African guide, linked below. Everything starts with a confidential medical assessment, because many of these problems have causes a doctor needs to check.
In short: Men’s health in Turkey covers erectile dysfunction and shockwave therapy, ejaculation and libido problems, hormone checks, male infertility, penile and testicular surgery, and kidney stone treatment. South Africans travel with an e-Visa and a direct flight to Istanbul, then a short connection to İzmir. A urologist assesses you first and decides what, if anything, is suitable and how long you need to stay.
Last updated: October 2026
Start with the assessment
Sexual and urological symptoms are common, and they are not always what they seem. Erection problems, for example, can be linked to blood vessel disease, diabetes, hormone imbalance, stress or the side effects of medication, and they can be an early sign of a heart or metabolic problem. A typical assessment includes:
- A detailed medical and sexual history
- A physical examination by a urologist
- Blood tests, for example hormones, glucose and cholesterol
- An ultrasound or Doppler scan where it is needed
- A psychological assessment if it is relevant
The aim is to find the cause, not just treat a symptom. Many conditions need no surgery.
Guides for South African patients
Two broader guides group related treatments together:
Treatments we arrange
Erections and sexual function
- Erectile dysfunction treatment — assessment and treatment for difficulty getting or keeping an erection
- Shockwave therapy (ESWT) — a non-surgical course of low-intensity shockwaves for some men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction
- Penile prosthesis — an implant for severe erectile dysfunction when other treatments have not worked
- Low libido — assessment of reduced sexual desire, including hormonal and psychological causes
- Ejaculation disorders — premature or delayed ejaculation
Hormones and fertility
- Male hormone check — blood tests and review of testosterone and related hormones
- Male infertility — assessment of sperm count, sperm movement and hormonal causes
- Varicocele surgery — repair of enlarged veins in the scrotum
Penis and foreskin
- Peyronie’s disease — treatment for curvature caused by scar tissue in the penis
- Frenuloplasty — a small operation on a short or tight frenulum
- Circumcision — removal of the foreskin in adult men
- Penile enlargement with fat transfer — a cosmetic procedure using your own fat; results vary and are not guaranteed
Testicles and scrotum
- Hydrocele treatment — for a build-up of fluid around the testicle
- Testicular prosthesis — an implant after the loss or absence of a testicle
Kidneys
- Kidney stone treatment — assessment and treatment of stones in the kidney or urinary tract
Planning the trip from South Africa
- Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
- Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
- Length of stay: it ranges from a few days for an assessment or a small procedure to longer for an implant; the urologist decides when you are fit to fly, so book a return ticket you can change
- Courses of treatment: some non-surgical treatments need several sessions over weeks; ask how the schedule would fit a single trip before you book
- Records: bring recent test results and your medicines list; take home a written report and any implant details
- Time difference: Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa, which makes follow-up calls easy
- Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad, so check with yours; standard travel insurance usually excludes it too
Follow-up at home
Follow-up continues by message and video call with the same team after you return. For surgical and other treatments, our treatment guarantee covers medical complications and clinically necessary revisions for one year from the date of treatment; any treatment it covers is carried out in İzmir, and flights and accommodation stay your own cost. Keep your GP informed. Facts about the clinic and doctors are on the clinic facts page, and our complaints page explains how problems are handled.
What we will not do
We will not recommend treatment before a urologist has assessed you, we will not promise a result for function or size, and we will not skip the checks for an underlying medical cause because you have travelled a long way.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need tests before men’s health treatment in Turkey?
Yes. A urologist takes a history, examines you and usually arranges blood tests, and sometimes a scan. Many symptoms have a medical cause, so the assessment comes before any treatment plan.
Can erection problems be a sign of something else?
They can. Erection problems may be linked to blood vessel disease, diabetes or hormone changes, and can be an early sign of a heart or metabolic problem. That is why a medical check comes first.
Is surgery always needed?
No. Many conditions respond to treatment without surgery. Surgery, such as a penile prosthesis, is usually considered only when other options have not worked.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
It depends on the treatment, from a few days for an assessment or a small procedure to longer after surgery. The urologist decides when you are fit to fly home.
Will my medical aid cover treatment in Turkey?
South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes it. Ask your scheme before you book.
Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.