Short answer
Erectile dysfunction is the persistent difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex, and it is common and treatable. Treatment starts with a urology assessment, including blood tests and often a penile Doppler ultrasound, which can usually be completed in 1-2 days. Most men stay in Istanbul for 2-4 days, and options range from medication and shock wave therapy to a penile prosthesis.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an ongoing difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. Occasional problems are normal. ED becomes a concern when it happens regularly or affects your wellbeing or relationship.
Most ED has a physical cause, often reduced blood flow. Diabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, smoking, low testosterone, some medicines and prostate surgery can all contribute, and stress or anxiety often play a part.
Who is it for?
Any man with ongoing erection difficulties can benefit from an assessment, whatever his age. ED can be an early sign of heart or blood vessel disease, so finding the cause matters for your general health as well as your sex life.
How assessment and treatment work
Your urologist takes a private history, examines you and arranges blood tests, including hormone, sugar and cholesterol levels. A penile Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow and helps choose the right treatment. Results and a written plan are usually ready within 1-2 days.
Your hotel, VIP transfers and a medical interpreter are arranged before you land, and a personal coordinator stays with you discreetly throughout.
- Lifestyle changes and treatment of underlying conditions
- Oral medication, prescribed after a heart and medicine review
- Low-intensity shock wave therapy (ESWT) for suitable vascular cases
- PRP injections, discussed with their limited evidence
- Injection therapy or vacuum devices
- Penile prosthesis surgery when other options have not worked
Recovery and results
Non-surgical treatments involve no downtime, and you can return to work the same day. Medication often works within the first few attempts, while shock wave therapy is judged 1-3 months after a course. Results depend on the cause and severity.
Your plan is reviewed during follow-up, and changes can be made remotely after you return home. Metropolmed's own medical team performs the treatment in Istanbul, and 12 months of follow-up are included.
Your private consultation
Your consultation is private and unhurried, and you can speak openly. Before you travel, your coordinator asks for a list of your medicines, any heart, diabetes or prostate history, and recent blood test results if you have them. It helps to note when the difficulty started and whether morning erections still occur. You are welcome to bring your partner, but many men prefer to attend alone, and either choice is respected.
Consultations take place one to one in a private room, with a medical interpreter if you need one, and you can ask for a male or female interpreter and coordinator. Your records, photographs and test results are kept strictly confidential and shared only with the clinicians treating you. Metropolmed holds the Turkish Ministry of Health international patient authorisation (USHAŞ AK-0164), and its own TÜRSAB-licensed travel division (licence 13032) books your hotel.
Risks and safety
Oral medicines can cause headache, flushing, nasal congestion or indigestion, and they must not be taken with nitrate heart medicines. Injection therapy can cause pain or, rarely, a prolonged erection that needs urgent care. Surgical options carry their own risks, explained separately.
A doctor assesses suitability in person, reviews your heart health and medicines, and explains the risks before any treatment starts.
Recovery timeline
- Day 1Private consultation, examination and blood tests
- Day 2Doppler ultrasound and personal treatment plan
- Week 1-4Start treatment; first review with the team
- Month 1-3Response assessed and plan adjusted
- Month 12Final follow-up review
Frequently asked questions
Is erectile dysfunction a sign of heart disease?
It can be. ED and heart disease share risk factors and blood vessel changes, which is why the assessment includes checks on blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol.
What is a penile Doppler ultrasound?
It is a painless scan that measures blood flow in the penis, usually after a small injection to produce an erection. It shows whether the cause is mainly vascular.
Can ED be cured permanently?
Sometimes. When a reversible cause is found and treated, erections may return to normal; in other cases ED is managed well over the long term.
Will my GP be informed?
Only if you ask. Your records are confidential, and we can provide a written report for your own doctor if you wish.
Can I get medication without an assessment?
No. Medication is prescribed only after an assessment, because it is not safe for everyone, especially men taking certain heart medicines.
