Medically reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Taş
Dr. Tuncay Tas offers a full spectrum of erectile dysfunction treatments in Istanbul — from non-invasive shockwave therapy to penile implant surgery. Each patient receives a personalised treatment plan based on the underlying cause of their ED and their individual goals.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. It affects an estimated 150 million men worldwide and becomes increasingly common with age — yet it remains significantly undertreated due to stigma and a lack of awareness about the range of effective solutions available.
ED is not a single condition but a symptom with many possible causes, including vascular disease, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, nerve damage, pelvic surgery, psychological factors, or a combination of these. Identifying the underlying cause is the first and most important step in determining the right treatment.
At Dr. Tas Clinic, erectile dysfunction is treated through a structured, stepped-care approach:
Each patient is assessed individually and guided toward the treatment level that best matches their physiology, severity and personal goals.
Turkey has become a significant destination for men seeking specialist erectile dysfunction care, particularly for patients who have exhausted first-line options in their home country or who require surgical treatment. Istanbul offers internationally trained urologists, accredited hospital facilities and costs that are a fraction of those in Western Europe or North America.
Access to a full spectrum of ED treatments under one specialist is rare. Many patients in their home country are referred between different departments — a urologist for diagnosis, a different specialist for shockwave, and yet another for surgical options. At Dr. Tas Clinic, the entire pathway is managed by one highly experienced andrologist.
For patients requiring penile implant surgery, Turkey offers the same FDA-approved devices used in the US and Europe — AMS 700™ and Titan® — at significantly lower overall cost including travel and accommodation.
Treatment for ED follows a stepped-care model — beginning with the least invasive options and progressing toward surgical solutions when conservative methods are insufficient.
The Standard Starting Point for Most Men with ED
Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors — including sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil — are the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction in most men. They work by enhancing the natural erectile response to sexual stimulation by increasing blood flow to the penile tissue.
PDE5 inhibitors do not cause an erection directly — they amplify the body’s own response to arousal. This means sexual stimulation is still required for the medication to take effect. Onset varies by drug, from 15 minutes (vardenafil) to 30–60 minutes (sildenafil), with tadalafil offering a 36-hour window of effectiveness.
For men who do not respond adequately to oral therapy, the next step in the treatment pathway is considered during consultation.
Regenerating Vascular Function at the Source
Low-intensity shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic pulses to stimulate angiogenesis — the growth of new blood vessels — within the penile tissue. It addresses the underlying vascular cause of ED rather than simply treating the symptom at the time of intercourse.
LiSWT is most effective in men with vasculogenic ED — the most common form, caused by insufficient blood flow to the penis. It is also used to improve the response to PDE5 inhibitors in men who have partial but inadequate responses to oral medication.
Highly Effective When Oral Medications Fall Short
Intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy involves self-administering a vasodilating agent — most commonly alprostadil, alone or in combination — directly into the erectile tissue of the penis. It produces a reliable, predictable erection regardless of the cause of ED and is effective in men for whom oral medications have failed.
The medication relaxes the smooth muscle of the penile arteries and erectile tissue, allowing blood to fill the corpora cavernosa and produce an erection. The onset is rapid — typically 5 to 15 minutes — and the erection lasts 30 to 60 minutes depending on the dose.
ICI is often used as a bridge therapy while patients consider permanent surgical options, or as a long-term solution for patients who are not surgical candidates.
The Gold Standard for Treatment-Resistant Erectile Dysfunction
For men who have not achieved satisfactory results with oral medications, shockwave therapy or injection treatment, penile implant surgery offers a permanent, reliable solution. A surgically placed device restores the ability to achieve an erection on demand — without the need for any ongoing medication or treatment.
Dr. Tas is one of Turkey’s most experienced penile implant surgeons, performing over 400 implant procedures annually and holding Center of Excellence certification — one of only three surgeons in Turkey to have received this recognition.
Turkish hospitals operate with significantly lower infrastructure, staffing and administrative costs than equivalent facilities in the US, UK or Western Europe — savings that are passed directly to the patient.
The favourable exchange rate between the Turkish Lira and major currencies (USD, GBP, EUR) makes high-quality specialist care substantially more accessible for international patients.
Turkey actively invests in medical tourism infrastructure, enabling specialist clinics to maintain international standards of care while keeping costs competitive.
Performing over 400 procedures annually allows Dr. Tas Clinic to reduce per-case costs without compromising on FDA-approved devices, surgical materials or the standard of care provided.
The same FDA-approved implant devices and surgical techniques used in the world’s leading urology centres are used at Dr. Tas Clinic — at a total cost that is typically 50 to 70 percent lower, including travel and accommodation.
A penile implant is typically considered when a patient has moderate to severe erectile dysfunction that has not responded adequately to oral medications, shockwave therapy or injection treatment. It is also the treatment of choice for men with ED caused by conditions where conservative therapies are unlikely to succeed — such as post-radical prostatectomy, Peyronie’s disease or severe vascular insufficiency.
Many patients who choose a penile implant do so after years of managing ED with pills or injections. The implant removes the spontaneity and planning burden of these treatments and provides a reliable, on-demand erection for the rest of the device’s functional life.
Dr. Tas will assess your full medical history, previous treatments and individual goals before recommending a penile implant. The decision is always made collaboratively, with realistic expectations set from the outset.
For most ED treatments — including shockwave therapy, injection therapy and penile implant surgery — sensation and orgasm are not affected. These treatments address the mechanical ability to achieve and maintain an erection; they do not alter the neurological pathways responsible for sensation or ejaculation.
Penile implant surgery in particular is designed to preserve all surrounding anatomy. The device is placed within the erectile chambers only and does not interfere with penile nerves or the ejaculatory system. The vast majority of patients report that sensation and orgasm are fully preserved following implant surgery.
In some patients — particularly those with nerve damage from diabetes or radical prostatectomy — sensation may already be reduced prior to treatment. The implant restores rigidity but cannot reverse pre-existing nerve damage.
Most patients undergoing penile implant surgery at Dr. Tas Clinic remain in Istanbul for 5 to 7 days before flying home. The procedure itself takes 45 to 90 minutes under general or spinal anaesthesia. Patients are typically discharged the following day with a full written recovery protocol and medication schedule.
Return to light daily activities is usually possible within 1 to 2 weeks. Sexual activity is recommended from 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively, once the device has been activated and the surgical site has healed. Remote video follow-up consultations with Dr. Tas are available throughout the recovery period.
Yes. Dr. Tas Clinic operates within internationally accredited hospital facilities in Istanbul. All procedures are performed to the same clinical standards used in leading urology centres in the US and Western Europe. FDA-approved implant devices are used exclusively for surgical cases.
Our international patient coordinators manage every aspect of the patient journey — from the initial video consultation and pre-operative testing to airport transfers, accommodation recommendations and post-operative care. Patients from over 60 countries have undergone treatment at the clinic without complication related to travel.
Full aftercare documentation is provided in English at discharge, and remote follow-up with Dr. Tas is available by video call, ensuring continuity of care once patients return home.
Speak confidentially with our international patient team — no commitment required.
Medically reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Taş