Content
Spontaneous sex for less than $2/day

When you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED), talking about your sex life with your primary care doctor (or with anyone) is probably among the last things you want to do.
Fortunately, telehealth platforms like Hims and Roman Health (which operates under the name “Ro”) make getting a prescription for FDA-approved ED medications simple. For instance, if a healthcare provider deems you to be eligible, you’ll be able to access options like sildenafil citrate (generic Viagra®) and tadalafil (generic Cialis®).
These telehealth platforms may seem similar at first glance, given that both allow customers to consult licensed healthcare professionals who can prescribe prescription treatments for ED, hair loss, weight loss, skincare, and more. Both also operate on a subscription-based model to make staying on top of refills simple.
However, some key differences to consider regarding Hims vs. Roman include product offerings, pricing, and more.
This guide will answer all your questions about the two platforms so you can make an informed choice to help you better manage health conditions, including ED.
Content
Before you can connect with a healthcare provider at Hims or Roman, you’ll need to complete an online intake form to answer questions about your symptoms, medical history, and treatment preferences.
Gathering your health information allows your assigned provider to determine the best treatment for your needs and see if you have any other health conditions beyond ED that could benefit from treatment.
For instance, at Hims, we offer access to combination treatments for ED and premature ejaculation (PE) or ED and hair loss, which may be more convenient for you. (We’ll get into how those combination treatments work later.)
The intake form also allows your healthcare provider to identify if ED medications are safe for you. Some medications, including those for high blood pressure, can have harmful interactions with ED treatments. And certain health conditions, like heart disease or vision problems, may increase your risk of experiencing undesirable side effects.
Both Hims and Roman provide access to prescription medication for ED following an online consultation with a provider to determine eligibility.
After you fill out the intake form, a provider will review all of your health information and follow up with any questions, just like they would in an in-person doctor's office.
If you qualify for a prescription treatment and decide to proceed with an order, you should receive it in discreet packaging within a few days.
States have varying requirements for how practitioners and patients can interact through telehealth sites, and these laws are constantly changing. A text conversation is sufficient for the provider to determine if a prescription is appropriate for your needs in some states. Some other states may require a video call or have even stricter rules for online prescriptions.
You can order medication through our platform in all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C. The Hims platform is also available in the U.K. and Canada.
Roman is available in all 50 states but not the U.K or Canada.
After a consultation with a provider who can determine eligibility, Hims and Roman provide access to some of the same ED medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs include select brand-name and generic phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), which improve blood flow to the penis to help you get and maintain better erections.
The treatments include:
Viagra. Originally developed to manage high blood pressure, Viagra became the first FDA-approved oral ED medication on the market. The PDE5 inhibitor is taken as needed around 30 minutes before sex.
Sildenafil. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra. The two medications are chemically identical, but sildenafil is more affordable. Read more about Viagra vs. sildenafil.
Cialis. Like Viagra and sildenafil, Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. Cialis has a longer half-life than Viagra. It lasts up to 36 hours in the body, while Viagra only lasts around four hours. This means that Cialis can be taken as needed or daily, allowing for more spontaneous sex when you have ED. Compare more similarities and differences re: Cialis vs. Viagra.
Tadalafil. Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. Like sildenafil, tadalafil typically runs less expensive than its brand-name counterpart, even though they’re chemically the same. Read more about tadalafil vs. Cialis.
Hims and Roman both offer customers flexible treatment options by providing access to both brand-name and generic versions of popular ED medications. You can let your healthcare provider know if you prefer a branded option or generic medication when discussing eligibility.
Despite these similarities, the product lines available at Ro differ in a few key ways from the ones we offer at Hims in terms of additional ED treatments available, dosing options, flavors, and more.
Both Hims and Roman offer access to standard ED pills as well as different formulations and flavors that may be more appealing to those who can’t swallow standard pills.
In addition to standard tablets for ED, Ro also offers:
Gummies. Roman’s Daily Rise Gummies contain 7 milligrams (mg) of tadalafil and have a tropical fruit flavor. As the name suggests, these gummies are taken once daily and stay active in the body for over 24 hours.
Sublingual. Ro Sparks is a sublingual tablet with a fruit flavor that you take by holding it under your tongue until it dissolves. It’s a compounded medication containing 55 mg of sildenafil and 22 mg of Cialis. One benefit of taking a sublingual formulation is that it enters the bloodstream faster, which means you may feel its effects more quickly than with pills. However, some may find it difficult to keep a sublingual tablet under the tongue for the necessary amount of time. The tablet takes around 10 minutes to dissolve completely.
Other formulations Hims offers includes:
Mints. Hims Hard Mints are chewable ED treatments that contain one or more active ingredients, like tadalafil or sildenafil (or a combination of both plus vitamin B12), in personalized doses. They’re available in a cool wintergreen mint or wintergreen mint + lemon flavor. This compounded medication comes in a discreet case, so you can carry it around with ease.
Chews. Like Hims Hard Mints, Hims Sex Chews contain the active ingredients tadalafil or sildenafil (or tadalafil + sildenafil + vitamin B12) in personalized doses. They’re available in three flavors: berry, lemon, and berry + lemon.
Beyond being available in multiple flavors, a unique advantage of taking Hims chewable ED meds is that multiple dose strengths are available. This allows your provider to design a personalized treatment plan based on your exact needs. (We’ll expand on this later when we discuss dosing.)
Roman’s Daily Rise Gummies and Ro Sparks have standardized dosages.
Both Hims and Roman offer compounded products that combine sildenafil and tadalafil, but Hims also offers sexual health treatments that target ED and other medical conditions that can co-occur with ED, like PE, hair loss, and high cholesterol.
These combination products streamline your daily regimen to address multiple symptoms at once. Please note: compounded medications are not approved by the FDA, but they work in the same way as approved versions of the medications.
Beyond Hims Hard Mints and Sex Chews, our other compounded sexual health treatments include:
Sex Rx + Climax Control. Studies show that 30–60 percent of patients with ED may also experience premature ejaculation. Sex Rx + Climax Control is a 2-in-1 treatment to target both conditions. The compound medication contains prescription tadalafil for ED and fluoxetine (the active ingredient in Prozac®), which is a common off-label treatment for PE.
Sex Rx + Hair Health. While hair loss and ED aren’t directly linked, these conditions both become more common as you age. Sex Rx + Hair Health includes ingredients that can help both. The medication contains tadalafil in combination with the hair loss medications minoxidil or finasteride in personalized dosages.
ED + Heart Health. ED is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in younger men. ED + Heart Health is a compounded 2-in-1 medication that contains tadalafil for ED and the statin atorvastatin (the active ingredient in Lipitor®). Used together, these active ingredients improve your erections while potentially lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Both Roman and Hims offer multiple dose strengths. But Hims offers personalized dosing, which allows your provider to tailor your treatment plan to meet your health goals.
If you opt for Hims Hard Mints or Sex Chews, you can also receive personalized doses of active ingredients like sildenafil and tadalafil in a formulation that meets your needs and preferences, as determined by your healthcare provider.
Both Hims and Roman also allow you to choose from various different dosing options per month:
Roman:
Daily use
4x per month
6x per month
8x per month
10x per month
Hims:
Daily use
4x per month
6x per month
8x per month
10x per month
12x per month
14x per month
16x per month
This variety of dose strengths and quantities per month allows you and your provider to develop a treatment plan that suits your unique needs.
Beyond erectile dysfunction treatments, Hims and Roman both offer access to an extensive range of over-the-counter and prescription products for various other health issues.
Both Hims and Roman offer:
Hair loss treatments like oral finasteride
Hair care products
Genital herpes medications
PE treatments
Non-prescription PE wipes with benzocaine
In addition to these products, Hims offers access to an array of mental health treatments and sex toys. Some of these sex toys, like penis rings and the OMG male vibrator, support better erections.
Hims also sells water-based lube and climax delay condoms to help you last longer during sex while protecting you from STIs and unintended pregnancies. Explore our full range of sexual health products.
Roman does not sell mental health products or sex toys, but it does offer access to testosterone supplements and fertility health products, which Hims does not currently offer.
While you may think of Hims and Roman as men’s health platforms, both companies also have offerings geared toward women’s wellness. For Hims, our partner site is Hers. Roman’s range of products for men and women is available on the Ro.co site.
Both Ro and Hims provide access to high-quality brand-name and generic medications for ED at competitive prices. Neither company takes insurance. However, your medication expenses may qualify for reimbursement if you have an FSA or HSA plan.
Pricing depends on treatment, dosage, and frequency, but it seems comparable on both sites if you opt for a longer subscription plan.
At Hims, generic sildenafil starts at $4 per dose and daily tadalafil starts at $6 per dose. The online consultation and shipping costs are included, and there are numerous shipping frequencies and dosing options.
According to the Ro.co website, plans start at $4 per dose for generic sildenafil and a little over $2 per dose for daily tadalafil if you opt for the 7-mg Daily Rise gummies. Standard tadalafil tablets with more dosing options start at $8 per dose. As is true at Hims, Ro offers online consultation and shipping, but fewer shipping frequencies are available. We’ll get into more detail about shipping and subscription options below.
For products that combine ED medications, like Hims Hard Mints, our pricing is more affordable than Roman’s sildenafil + tadalafil combos, Ro Sparks. Daily use plans at Hims start at $39 per month; Ro Sparks starts at $48 per month (and goes up to $120 per month). However, Roman does offer a $15 discount on the first order.
If you are interested in treating multiple health conditions at once and a provider determines that you are eligible, you can avoid having to fill more than one prescription at your local pharmacy by opting for Hims’ 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 compounded medications for hair growth, PE, and heart health.
While shipping frequencies vary, Roman and Hims share a few similarities in terms of shipping costs and quality.
We both offer:
Free, fast shipping
Discreet packaging to protect your privacy
Online access for changing or canceling shipments
Both Hims and Roman ship anywhere within the United States, including Washington, D.C. The Hims platform is also available in the U.K. and Canada with similar treatment options.
Roman and Hims use a subscription model to ensure you never run out of necessary medication. You can manage your subscription through an online portal, where changes and cancellations are simple to make.
However, there are some notable differences regarding subscription options and shipping frequencies.
Hims ships:
Monthly
Every 3 months
Every 5 months
Every 6 months
Every 12 months
Roman ships:
Monthly
Every 3 months
Every 6 months
As we mentioned before, Hims provides access to various dose strengths and dosing options per month. You can work with your provider to find the treatment plan and shipping cadence that best serves you.
Roman and Hims have online portals where you can contact your provider and update subscription preferences.
We both offer:
Free, unlimited follow-up messaging with providers
A live chat function in the app
Easy-to-use online portal
Educational resources on various health topics on each website
Medical providers at Hims are all licensed and undergo a rigorous vetting process when onboarded. They must also complete licensing verification and ongoing training. Credentials are available for viewing on our website.
Like at Hims, Roman providers are licensed healthcare professionals. Each professional undergoes an extensive background check and license verification process. You can view their resume, medical license, and credentials when messaging.
ED is common, affecting around 30 million men in the U.S. If you’re one of these men, you can probably appreciate having convenient access to high-quality ED treatments like those provided by Hims and Roman (after a consultation with a healthcare provider).
While both telehealth companies provide access to similar products, there are some key differences to consider when deciding which one to use:
Product range. Both Roman and Hims offer access to brand-name and generic Viagra and Cialis if a healthcare provider deems you to be eligible. At Hims, we also offer eligible patients access to other ED medications and compounded medications that treat multiple health issues at once.
Dosage options. Hims provides access to a wider variety of dose strengths and dosing options, allowing for more personalized treatment plans.
Shipping Flexibility. Hims offers a wider range of shipping frequencies (monthly, every 3, 5, 6, or 12 months) compared to Roman (monthly, every 3 months, and every 6 months).
Formulations. Both Roman and Hims provide standard tablets along with unique formulations and flavors. Hims offers eligible patients chewable ED meds in mint, lemon, and berry flavors, while Roman offers gummies and sublingual tablets with a tropical fruit flavor.
Accessibility. Both platforms are available in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C. Hims is also available in the U.K.
Cost. While Roman and Hims offer comparable prices, Hims’ compounded offerings, like Hims Hard Mints and Sex Chews, are slightly less expensive than Roman’s blended treatments.
Want to learn more about how to treat ED or other sexual health issues with Hims? Get a recommendation from a healthcare professional to design a plan that fits your needs.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or endorsement of one brand over another.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at blog@forhims.com!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37
Erectile Dysfunction
Premature Ejaculation
Low Testosterone
Retrograde Ejaculation
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Anorgasmia