For patients in South Africa

Penile prosthesis in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

A penile prosthesis (penile implant) is an operation for severe erectile dysfunction that has not responded to other treatment. It is permanent, so this page explains the implant, who it is for, recovery, and what South African patients need to plan.

What a penile prosthesis is

A penile prosthesis is a device placed inside the penis so that an erection no longer depends on blood flow or nerves. It is considered for severe erectile dysfunction (ED) when medication and less invasive treatment have failed or cannot be tolerated. There are two main types:

• Inflatable — cylinders, a small pump and a fluid reservoir; you use the pump to produce an erection, and the penis looks soft at other times. This is the most common type.
• Malleable (semi-rigid) — bendable rods with no pump; always firm but positionable, and easier for men with limited hand dexterity.

The urologist discusses which type suits you. Full details: penile prosthesis treatment page.

Who it is for, and what comes first

Typical candidates are men whose ED has not improved with tablets or who cannot take them, including ED after prostate surgery or linked to diabetes, vascular or nerve problems. Active infection or poorly controlled health conditions need careful assessment first.

A medical assessment always comes first. ED can be linked to heart and blood-vessel disease or diabetes, so have your own doctor check your general health too. Less invasive options are covered in the erectile dysfunction guide and the wider men’s health guide.

The operation and recovery

• General or spinal anaesthesia; a small cut, usually in the lower abdomen or the scrotum
• Usually one to two hours; a temporary catheter may be used
• Swelling, bruising and discomfort at first, usually eased with medication
• Light activity within one to two weeks; no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for two to four weeks
• Activation usually after four to six weeks, when you are taught to use it; sex resumes once healing is complete

The implant does not make the penis larger; sensation, orgasm and ejaculation usually stay the same. It is permanent and cannot be undone. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, pain, mechanical failure over time and, rarely, erosion or the device moving. Infection is the most serious and can mean removing the implant. Implants are designed to last many years, but parts may eventually need replacing.

Planning the trip from South Africa

There are direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul of around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir, where treatment takes place. South Africans need an e-Visa, explained in the e-Visa guide. Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa, so follow-up calls are easy to arrange. Your hospital stay and time in Turkey are set out in your written treatment plan; allow for a wound check before the ten-hour flight, and book a changeable return ticket.

Activation happens weeks after the operation, so ask before you book how it will be arranged in your case.

• Take home the device details: the make, model, size and any implant card or record you are given
• Share them with your GP or a local urologist, and get any sign of infection seen promptly, even years later
• South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad; check with your scheme, and note that travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad

Follow-up and the guarantee

Follow-up continues by message and video call. Medical complications and clinically necessary revisions within one year are covered by our treatment guarantee: that treatment is carried out in İzmir at no charge, though flights and accommodation remain your own cost. It is not a promise of a particular result. The clinic facts page explains how we work, and the complaints page how problems are handled.

What we will not do

We will not book surgery before a urologist has assessed you, we will not suggest a prosthesis where simpler treatment has not been considered, and we will not promise any change in size or performance. If your general health makes surgery unsafe, we will say so.

Frequently asked questions

Is a penile prosthesis permanent?

Yes. Fitting the implant permanently changes the erectile tissue, so the operation is considered irreversible.

Will a penile implant make the penis bigger?

No. The implant does not increase size. It allows an erection when you want one; sensation and orgasm usually stay the same.

When is the implant first used?

It is usually activated after four to six weeks, once healing allows, and you are taught how to use it. Ask before booking how this will be arranged for you after you return to South Africa.

What should I take home to South Africa?

Take the make, model and size of the device and any implant card or record you are given, and share them with your GP or a local urologist.

Will my medical aid cover a penile prosthesis in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Ask your scheme directly before you book.

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