Erectile dysfunction (ED) can affect you mentally as well as physically. You may experience decreased self-confidence, feelings of loneliness, shame, and depression. Additionally, your relationship with your partner may be affected. These effects can be difficult to cope with, but help is available.
We recommend that you first talk to your health care provider about any ED symptoms. Your primary care provider can give you a full evaluation and recommend treatment options like medication, lifestyle modifications, and psychotherapy, and can rule out any other medical conditions. If you have seen a health care provider and are looking for ED medication, online platforms like Roman, also called Ro, can offer a way to get the medication you need delivered to you. We took a deep dive into Roman’s cost, features, and privacy policy to determine if it is a reputable platform for people experiencing ED. Read more about our honest take on Roman.
Roman for ED overview
What is Roman?
Roman, also called Ro, is a direct-to-consumer A company that sells their products directly to consumers without a third-party. telehealth website and mobile app that can prescribe certain types of medications. When you sign up for Roman, you will complete a questionnaire and choose your medication. A health care provider will review your information and answers to determine if ED medication is appropriate. If you are approved for a prescription, you will then talk to your provider about the type of medication and the dosage. You can either have your prescription sent to your local pharmacy of choice, or you can have the medication filled and shipped to you through the Ro Pharmacy Network. Ro offers treatment options for:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Fertility
- Skin conditions
- Premature ejaculation
Warning
Online ED platforms are not replacements for health care. If you choose to purchase ED medication through an online platform, make sure you have seen your primary care provider first, as they can provide the most comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.
What other users are saying
We interviewed a Roman user who expressed that they had the chance to delay their medication delivery when needed. They said, “I signed up for email and text notifications, so they’ll send me a message that says, ‘We’re preparing your order for the month of November.’ I can go onto the app and say ‘delay order’ if I don’t need any. But if I don’t act by a certain time, they will send it out.”
It’s great to know that even though you’re signing up for a subscription, you can delay your order whenever you need. Just make sure you delay it before it automatically refills to avoid an unnecessary charge to your credit card.
Roman also has you complete an annual recertification in case there have been changes to your health. One of our ED focus group participants who used Roman said, “I had an annual recertification not too long ago. So I had to answer questions for the doctor again to verify that nothing had changed.” We appreciate that Roman continues checking in with users to ensure they still fit the eligibility criteria for ED medication.
HelpGuide Handbook’s erectile dysfunction testing methodology
The Handbook team tested 26 telehealth platforms that offer prescription medication for erectile dysfunction. Our team signed up for these platforms to compare each platform’s screening process, navigation, cost, delivery time, and restrictions. Our testers completed the sign-up process, filled out questionnaires, clicked through all educational information, and noted available medications and dosages.
To learn about what happens after someone submits their information to a provider, our team also surveyed 360 men who have gotten erectile dysfunction medication online. The team also held multiple focus groups with real online ED platform users to get more candid responses about the effects of erectile dysfunction treatment and their experiences with the platforms.
To learn more about how we review ED medication platforms and treatments, read our full erectile dysfunction methodology.
Insights from our testers
One of the main benefits of Roman is that you have the opportunity to meet with your provider via phone or video call in addition to chat messaging. Many online ED platforms only allow you to have conversations with your provider through messaging, which can last a few minutes to several hours, depending on how quickly your provider responds. But with phone or video calls, you have dedicated time to ask your provider questions or address concerns, and you won’t have to wait for a response. With Roman, these consultations are all free and included in your subscription plan.
During the intake questionnaire, we were very disappointed that Roman didn’t provide any warnings for people who may not be eligible for ED medications. When we answered the survey, we tried to see if we could answer the questions as someone who would be ineligible for treatment to gauge the response from the platform. For instance, we said that we were taking medications that contain nitrates. A person who takes nitrates shouldn’t take them with ED medication because of potential interactions that can cause severe high blood pressure.
However, Roman didn’t provide any warning about ineligibility. While safety information is listed on its website, we think having a warning in the questionnaire when you sign up is important. Otherwise, people who are ineligible for ED treatment will go through the entire intake process just to be denied treatment. Ideally, the provider reviewing your questionnaire will catch any contraindications, but it is alarming these warnings aren’t provided sooner on Roman.
What you need to know about Roman for ED
Talk to your provider via chat, phone, or video.
Offers Ro Sparks (tadalafil and sildenafil) and generic and brand-name Cialis and Viagra.
Can delay subscription if needed.
Free shipping in four to seven business days.
Prescription approval or denial within 24 hours.
Medications offered by Roman for ED
Roman offers brand-name and generic options for Viagra (sildenafil) and Cilias (tadalafil), two common ED medications. It also offers a medication unique to its brand called Ro Sparks, which combines Viagra and Cialis into one drug. It’s important to know that Ro Sparks is not FDA approved.
One thing that stands out about Roman is that it offers a wider selection of dosage options per medication. Each medication, except Ro Sparks, has two to three dosages to choose from. In our experience, some platforms only offer one to two dosage options per medication. These options benefit people who may need to adjust their dosage depending on how the medication affects them.
Viagra (sildenafil)
If you’re interested in purchasing Viagra, we think Roman is one of the better online platforms when it comes to offerings. Roman offers generic and branded Viagra in 25, 50, and 100 milligram (mg) dosages. Based on our research, it’s rare to find a platform that offers Viagra in a 25mg dose. This dose may be recommended for people who are 65 years or older or who have liver or kidney problems. Your Roman health care provider will ultimately decide on the right dosage for you. If you’re looking for a low-dose Viagra, you could consider Roman.
The generic cost ranges from $2.88–$10.00 per pill. Keep in mind that the lower doses will be cheaper than the higher doses. Here’s a further breakdown of the cost by dose:
- Generic Viagra 25mg: $2.88–$4.00.
- Generic Viagra 50mg: $4.50–$6.00.
- Generic Viagra 100mg: $7.75–$10.
Cialis (tadalafil)
Cialis (tadalafil) is available through Roman in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg doses for as-needed use. It’s available in quantities of four, six, eight, 10, 12, 14, or 16 pills per month. If you prefer to take a daily dose, you can choose between 2.5mg and 5mg doses and a one-, three-, or six-month supply. If you do take the medication daily, try to take it at the same time every day for best results.
Generic Cialis costs $8–$44 per pill through Roman, while the brand name drug costs $12.70–$80 per pill. We found the generic Cialis cost higher than other platforms we’ve researched. For instance, Hims charges $1.07–$2.63 per pill for daily generic Cialis at a dose of 2.5mg and 5mg, while Roman charges about $8 per pill for the same dosages.
Ro Sparks (sildenafil and tadalafil)
Ro Sparks is an ED medication unique to Roman that combines sildenafil and tadalafil into a tablet that can be dissolved under the tongue. According to the website, it can take about 10 minutes for the tablet to dissolve fully. The medicine is supposed to have a tropical fruit taste, though we couldn’t find any customer reviews to speak to the taste of the medicine. Overall, we do not recommend Ro Sparks because it’s expensive and is not FDA-approved.
At $12 per dose, it’s double the cost of generic Viagra through Roman. The website claims that Ro Sparks works within 15 minutes after taking it, which is faster than any other ED medication. These claims are based on a patient-reported survey, but we couldn’t find any research to back them up. The experts we spoke with doubted the claims as well. On their own, tadalafil and sildenafil take about an hour to work, so it’s unlikely that a medication that combines the two would work within 15 minutes. Also, many physicians advise against taking both of these medications together since patients may be more prone to side effects. Ro Sparks is not FDA-approved, so there has not been any extensive clinical testing done to make sure it’s safe and effective.
Warning
Ro Sparks is a compounded drug, a combination of two different active ingredients in one medication. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, meaning the FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the medication.
Ro Sparks is currently only available in 37 states. It is not available in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- Ohio
- Virginia
Compare Roman with other erectile dysfunction medication platforms in 2024
When it comes to medication costs, Roman has prices similar to Lemonaid Health. However, Lemonaid Health charges an additional $25 fee for consultations, whereas consultations are free through Roman. Either way, both platforms cost more than platforms like Hims or Blink Health.
If you are looking for the cheapest way to purchase ED medications, all the experts we spoke to said that it is more affordable to schedule an appointment with a health care provider who specializes in erectile dysfunction and obtaining medication through your local pharmacy. If you have insurance and value affordability and expertise, we recommend scheduling an appointment with an in-person care provider. Otherwise, online platforms can be beneficial for people who value convenience and discretion.
How much does Roman cost for ED medication?
Medications on Roman cost between $2.88–$90 per pill. You can reduce that cost by choosing a higher subscription plan, like the 3-month or 6-month plan. The range for generic medications is $2.88–$44 per pill. Shipping and consultations are included in this cost.
| Medication | Doses offered | Cost per pill | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic Viagra | 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg | $2.88–$10 | Peak effect is 30 minutes to one hour after taking and lasts between four to six hours |
| Viagra | 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg | $90 | Peak effect is 30 minutes to one hour after taking and lasts between four to six hours |
| Generic Cialis (daily) | 2.5mg and 5mg | $8 | Take one dose at the same time every day |
| Generic Cialis (as needed) | 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg | $11–$44 | Peak effect is one to two hours before sex and lasts between 24–36 hours |
| Cialis (daily) | 5mg | $13 | Take one dose at the same time every day |
| Cialis (as needed) | 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg | $20–$80 | Peak effect is one to two hours before sex and lasts between 24–36 hours |
| Ro Sparks | Sildenafil 55mg and tadalafil 22mg | $10.75–$12 | Starts working 15 minutes before sex* |
*As advertised on the Roman website, though these claims are not independently verified.
If you have a prescription
If you have a prescription from your doctor and want to find affordable ED medication, you can try an online pharmacy like Cost Plus Drugs or browse GoodRx for coupons that can be used at your local pharmacy.
Our final verdict
Roman for ED has a few commendable features but also has some red flags. We like that it differs from other platforms in that you can chat with your provider through video and phone calls in addition to messaging. This can make communication with your provider easier and more accessible and may enhance the overall quality of care you receive.
Most medications from Roman come in two to three different doses, which can benefit people who may need to adjust their dosage. However, the medication is more expensive than some other platforms, and we were disappointed that there was no information for people who may be ineligible for ED treatment during the sign-up process. We also do not recommend trying Roman’s compounded medication Ro Sparks, since it isn’t FDA-approved and may not work as quickly as advertised.
If you are experiencing symptoms of ED but have not been diagnosed by your primary health care provider, we recommend seeing them in person first for a full evaluation. Once you know that it is safe for you to take ED medications, Roman could be a good fit for receiving a prescription online and getting the medication delivered to your home, though there are platforms that offer cheaper generics.
Frequently asked questions
Roman offers generic and brand name Cialis and Viagra as well as a medication called Ro Sparks, which combines tadalafil and sildenafil into one medicine.
All Roman ED medications range in cost from $2.88–$90 per pill. The generic medications range in cost from $2.88–$44 per pill.
You should only take one dose of ED medication every 24 hours.
Each medication has a different onset. Viagra takes 30 minutes to one hour to work, and Cialis takes one to two hours to work.
Cialis lasts an average of 18 hours but can last up to 36 hours. Viagra typically lasts four to six hours but can last up to 12 hours.
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