Erectile dysfunction, sometimes known just as “ED,” is one of the most common sexual problems that men in the U.S. experience.

Around 30 million U.S. men have ED. Erectile Dysfunction can also occur among younger men. One study found that up to 40% of males over 40 experience erectile dysfunction, while 1 in 4 men seeking their first treatment for ED was under 40 years old.

Thankfully, there are many safe, effective, and discreet treatment options available. However, for some men, it is an awkward subject to have a face-to-face conversation with a doctor or pharmacist about. This was the driving force behind several subscription websites for men’s sexual health.

What Is a Subscription Service for ED Medications?

The websites, also called telemedicine providers such as Hims, BlueChew, Roman, Lemonaid, and MediSuite, allow users to upload photos and help get you in touch with licensed physicians so that you can have an online or in-person appointment to get a legitimate prescription for ED treatments.

Such websites are most known for their ED treatments that have become popular alternatives to brand names like Viagra and Cialis. They provide generic and brand name sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, as well as generic and brand name tadalafil (Cialis). However, generic ED treatments are their most popular offering because brand name medications can be expensive.

The medications are usually delivered as part of a monthly subscription plan. You decide how often and how much of each treatment you want each month and pay the monthly subscription fee for your delivery.

Is Hims or Roman Registered as an Online Pharmacy?

The simple answer is No.

The online-based subscription websites do not see themselves as an online pharmacy or a medical practice. It is a technology platform that enables registered users to connect with healthcare providers and physicians.

The online-only service offers patients a personal online consultation from licensed providers or medical professionals on issues men face with regard to sexual performance.

Prescriptions can be filled through their own network of third-party pharmacy partners or sent to patients’ current pharmacies for pickup. Not available in all U.S. states due to licensing.

How Much Does Subscription Website Cost?

Hims, Roman and other subscription websites offer customers modern marketing, slick packaging, and discretion - for a cost.

Hims

• Given Viagra is a brand name, you get what you pay for and it’s steep. Five pills cost around $400 each month.
• A generic sildenafil, exact same ingredient as Viagra, costs $4 per use and a one-month supply with six pills will run you around $24.
• Cialis, the brand name for tadalafil once-a-day use, is $570 per month.
• The generic Tadalafil is $240 per month.

Roman

• Viagra: $70 per dose.
• Generic sildenafil: $2 to $10.
• Cialis: $17 to $69 from 2.5 mg to 20 mg per dose.
• Plus $15 for the medical consultation.

BlueChew

• Sildenafil: $3-4 per dose
• Tadalafil: $4-5 per dose
• Chewable tablet

The above prices may sound reasonable when compared to retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens or Costco.

Retail pharmacies:

• Viagra: $81 per tablet
• Sildenafil: $6.56 per tablet
• Cialis: $14.48 to $88 from 2.5 mg to 20 mg per tablet
• Tadalafil: $10 to $61.25 per tablet

Manufacturer, pharmacy, or GoodRx Coupons can help offset the cost. However, when compared to Canadian pharmacies, the subscription service is pricey.

Canada Online Health

• Viagra: starting from $10.0 per tablet (100 mg, by Pfizer from New Zealand)
• Sildenafil: starting from $2.07 per tablet
• Cialis: $4.05 to $25.90 from 2.5 mg to 20 mg per tablet (20 mg, by Eli Lilly from Canada)
• Tadalafil: $1.78 to $17.68 per tablet
• Approved and certified by CIPA (Canadian International Pharmacy Association)
• Support shipping from U.S local dispensaries for rush orders.

As you can see, if money is your primary concern, Canada Online Health is by far the better deal.

Where Is Your Personal Health Information Going?

Before you get medication or prescription from the subscription service websites, customers will be required to complete and submit an online health questionnaire. You will be answering many private questions, such as how long you can maintain an erection and how many partners you have.

You will also need to provide a current form of ID including your name, home address, a scanned photo, as well as a recent blood pressure reading and other details of your medical history and symptoms. This should only take 10 minutes.

At the end of the questionnaire, you will be asked to provide payment information with your credit card or other options.

All of your information above is recorded and stored in your web browser cookies and on their servers. Do you know where your data is going? Not only to the subscription service websites, but also their partner physicians and third-party pharmacies.  Will your data be stored securely on all sites? Could your data ever be shared without your permission?

Do you really want your medications to arrive automatically every month?

Subscription websites automatically deliver medications to your door every month. Some of the ED medications are used as needed which means you may use them faster or slower than initially expected. What if you have a lot of medication left and don’t need it this month? Or you need to wait a few days to prepare financially? Is there someone to call? Can you chat? How soon do they require notification to stop the next order?

Most online pharmacies allow you to log into their website and place orders when you need them. Additionally, if you need to speak to someone to make changes, there is a patient care representative available to either walk you through the change or take care of the change on your behalf with the pharmacy. Your medication will only be billed and arrive when you request it. Most online pharmacies will also send you a reminder that your refill is due, so you don’t forget. Additionally, there are usually options to email, text, or chat in order to refill a prescription or place a new order for medication. Customer service and convenience are incredibly important.

How Canadian Online Pharmacy Works?

After having a conversation with your family doctor or walk-in clinic doctor, you may get a prescription of Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil) to start a trial.

However, you have hesitated to fill your prescription at the pharmacy in your neighborhood. Maybe it’s because of the familiar faces. Perhaps you are a little shy about speaking to someone face to face about how to use your medication or what the side effects might be.

There is no need to fret. Just call a Canadian online pharmacy and fax or mail your prescription. The pharmacy is licensed and regulated by the government for safety. There are no uncomfortable questionnaires, your data is kept secure, and no chance of you running into someone you know while getting the prescription filled.

At Canada Online Health, you can talk with a professional licensed pharmacist on the phone if you need more information on the medication. You will get discreet packaging and they also can send email reminders of the time to refill.  

Ordering from Canadian Online Health is easy, no need to pay subscription or membership fees, there are no hidden fees, and the medication is affordable!

References:

• apnews.com
• farrinstitute.org
• theverge.com
• forbes.com
• healthline.com