For patients in South Africa
Sexual health in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide
Sexual health is part of general health. It covers erections, ejaculation, desire, fertility and hormones, and the comfort and confidence that go with them. This page is written for men in South Africa who are considering an assessment or treatment in İzmir, Turkey. It explains what is looked at, which treatments are available, and how to plan the trip. Women’s sexual health is covered separately on our main site and is not part of this guide.
In short: Sexual health problems are common and often have a medical cause, so the first step is a confidential assessment by a urologist, not a treatment. South African men travel with an e-Visa and a direct flight to Istanbul, then a short connection to İzmir. Many conditions respond to treatment without surgery; the urologist explains the options and their limits.
Last updated: October 2026
What sexual health covers
- Erectile function
- Ejaculation and orgasm
- Sexual desire (libido)
- Fertility and reproductive health
- Hormone balance, particularly testosterone
- Emotional wellbeing around sex
Age, long-term conditions such as diabetes, medication, stress and lifestyle can all play a part. Problems in this area can also point to heart or metabolic disease, which is one reason to have them checked properly.
Treatments for men
Each link below goes to a South African guide. The wider group, including kidney stones and testicular surgery, is in our men’s health and urology guide.
- Erectile dysfunction — difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex
- Shockwave therapy (ESWT) — a non-surgical option for some men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculation disorders — premature ejaculation, one of the most common concerns, and the less common delayed ejaculation
- Low libido — reduced sexual desire
- Male hormone check — testing testosterone and related hormones
- Male infertility — low sperm count, poor sperm movement, hormonal causes and varicocele
- Peyronie’s disease — curvature, pain or difficulty with sex caused by scar tissue in the penis
- Frenuloplasty — for a tight or short frenulum
- Penile prosthesis — for severe erectile dysfunction when other treatments have failed
Operations on the penis and testicles are grouped in the male genital surgery guide.
How the assessment works
A urologist takes a detailed medical and sexual history and examines you. Blood tests for hormones, glucose and cholesterol are common, and an ultrasound or Doppler scan is arranged when it is needed. If stress, anxiety or relationship strain seem to be part of the picture, psychological support may be suggested alongside medical treatment. Results can take weeks or months to show, depending on the condition and the treatment.
Lifestyle matters too. Exercise, diet, managing stress and stopping smoking can help, and the urologist may suggest these before or alongside other treatment.
Confidentiality
Consultations and records are confidential. You can send your history and questions in writing before you travel, and you choose what is shared with your doctor at home.
Planning the trip from South Africa
- Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, then a short domestic flight to İzmir
- Visa: South Africans need an e-Visa; see the e-Visa guide
- Dates: an assessment may lead to tests or a course of treatment, so keep your dates flexible and book a return ticket you can change
- Records: bring a list of your medicines and any recent blood results, and take home a written report for your GP
- Time difference: Turkey is one hour ahead of South Africa
- Cover: medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment, so check both
What our treatment guarantee covers, how complaints are handled on our complaints page, and facts about the clinic on the clinic facts page are all published.
What we will not do
We will not offer a treatment without an assessment, we will not make promises about performance or size, and we will not ignore a possible medical cause such as heart disease or diabetes.
Frequently asked questions
Is erectile dysfunction just part of getting older?
It becomes more common with age, but it is not inevitable and it is often treatable. It can also be linked to other health problems, so it is worth a proper check.
Can lifestyle changes help sexual health?
Yes. Exercise, a healthy diet, managing stress and stopping smoking can all help, and a urologist may suggest them alongside other treatment.
Is the consultation confidential?
Yes. Medical confidentiality applies to your consultation and records, and you decide what is shared with your doctor at home.
How long does treatment take to work?
It depends on the condition and the treatment. Some results show within weeks, others take months, and the urologist will tell you what to expect.
Does this guide cover women’s sexual health?
No. This guide is for men. Women’s sexual health is covered separately on our main site.
Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.