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Compared to women, men tend to visit the doctor less.
The reasons are myriad. Some men might not take the initiative to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.
Or, as a 2016 study from the Journal of Health Psychology notes, men may have a “masculine” view of themselves, leading them to avoid a doctor’s care. For some men, a personal condition might be too embarrassing to discuss with a doctor.
One telehealth company, REX MD, has sought to fill the gap between men and their health. REX MD provides medical services at a discounted cost. They focus on providing men with prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) and hair loss.
Read more to see if REX MD may be right for you.
Pros
- The visit is time-efficient — it can be scheduled at your convenience and doesn’t require a commute.
- It’s low cost.
- There’s some variety in medication.
- You get access to U.S.-based doctors.
- Discounts are available if you sign up for multiple months.
Cons
- Some reviewers say it can be hard to cancel the monthly membership.
- Virtual appointments can feel inauthentic to some.
- A specialist may be able to better address your issue, whether it be ED or hair loss.
REX MD is a telehealth service geared toward men. They’re owned by proprietor LifeMD, formerly known as Conversion Labs.
The company started offering generic prescriptions for ED and male pattern hair loss. They have since branched into primary care, and they also offer care for:
- cold and flu
- allergies
- skin concerns
- infections
REX MD offers virtual on-demand access to licensed physicians in all 50 states. The service is designed to save you time and money on doctor’s office visits. To start with REX MD, sign up on their website and answer some health-related questions ahead of the physician visit.
You’ll work with a doctor to assess your symptoms. Then, the doctor will make a diagnosis. After that, your prescriptions will arrive at your door in discreet packaging.
REX MD may be good for those who are showing symptoms of either ED or male pattern hair loss.
According to a
ED symptoms can range from reduced sexual desire to the inability to keep an erection. It’s important to note that underlying health conditions may manifest in ED symptoms, such as:
With male pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia, hair loss typically occurs on the top of the head and on the forehead hairline.
This hair loss is associated with a male sex hormone, the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). If you have a close relative with baldness, you may be at a higher risk.
If you don’t have the time to make a doctor’s appointment to talk about ED or hair loss, REX MD may be right for you. Also, if you’re embarrassed to address these conditions with your general practitioner, REX MD may be a good option.
You don’t need an existing prescription to use REX MD.
REX MD has a simple process to get started with your medications. Their website is user-friendly and there’s a chat function for quick questions.
Here’s how it works:
- Head over to rexmd.com and fill out their online medical assessment. You’ll enter your email, name, height, weight, and information about your sex life. You’ll also need to upload a photo for authorization purposes, a photo ID, and a recent blood pressure reading.
- Complete the full questionnaire of 38 questions. In some cases, the health history you complete may be enough to make a diagnosis and get your prescription. REX MD will let you know within 24 hours. But you can always ask to be set up with a virtual doctor’s appointment if you want.
- If your assigned physician decides a prescription is right for you, REX MD will send your prescription to your doorstep in discreet packaging with free 2-day delivery.
- You can reach your assigned physician through the site’s member portal at any time with questions, requests, or concerns. Follow-up appointments are free.
Hair loss
REX MD will send you finasteride, the generic version of Propecia. It’s the only prescription DHT-blocking medication that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat male pattern baldness. It was approved in 1997.
The use of finasteride has been studied since the late 1990s. A
Recent studies, however, show some side effects with finasteride use. A 2020 report said finasteride is well tolerated but is also associated with:
- mood alterations
- low libido
- difficulty in achieving orgasm
REX MD offers hair loss medication in quarterly plans, since it takes at least 3 months to see any effects and daily use is critical.
Erectile dysfunction
The company offers branded and generic forms of sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis). They also prescribe branded vardenafil (Levitra). If you have a preference, you can let your physician know.
Generic Viagra hasn’t been around very long. Though Pfizer’s patent on the popular ED medication ran out in 2020, Pfizer started making and selling generic sildenafil in 2017. Other companies have been able to sell their own sildenafil tablets since 2020.
The FDA approved Viagra in 1998, making it the first oral drug specifically prescribed for ED. It was originally tested for other conditions, but scientists found it was good at treating some symptoms of ED.
In a
Tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) work similarly to Viagra in helping maintain an erection longer. They are all phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and work by blocking a certain type of enzyme.
Medications from REX MD like generic Viagra and generic Cialis start at $8.50 per tablet. For people new to ED medications who may need a smaller dose, REX MD advertises Sildenafil starting at $2 per dose and Tadalafil starting at $3 per dose.
Most insurance policies don’t cover telehealth services like REX MD. But the company offers flexible pricing depending on your needs and goals.
Subscription model
With your first monthly order, REX MD includes a free online visit. This is so one of their doctors can provide an assessment and write a treatment plan. After that, there’s a monthly recurring fee for refills of medications.
The company says that if, after your completed doctor visit, your doctor decides that you’re not a candidate for ED medications, they fully refund what you’ve already paid and then provide advice for next steps.
For those with recurring prescriptions, charges happen, according to the company, on the same day each month thereafter, or with each billing period.
REX MD says you can cancel at any time on your member account page.
The company provides discounts if you sign up for 3 months.
REX MD says that all medications are delivered for free with standard USPS shipping.
The company says on their website that order fulfillment usually takes less than 1 day, making your order arrive in 2 to 4 days. If you prefer overnight shipping, it’s available for an additional charge.
REX MD is a subsidiary of U.S.-based LifeMD. REX MD uses U.S.-based doctors for their telehealth appointments.
Currently, there aren’t any pending lawsuits against REX MD. But there have been 45 complaints in the past 12 months (as of June 2022) filed through the Better Business Bureau.
On Trustpilot, REX MD averages a 4.4-star rating from over 2,000 reviews as of June 2022. The majority of posts about the company’s level of customer service are from satisfied reviewers, typically giving credit to salespeople by name. One reviewer calls the customer service “excellent,” saying that the team is “willing to go out of their way to get the problem remedied.”
However, in comments about poor customer service, Trustpilot reviewers report that salespeople seem happy to provide excellent customer service before the sale is made and then are difficult to get in touch with afterward.
Some reviewers actually seem to use Trustpilot to try to get in touch with the company about customer service issues, again using salespeople by name in some of the reviews. One reviewer uses the words “bait and switch” to describe their experience. This reviewer also complains of being signed up for a subscription without consenting, noting that it was “impossible” to cancel.
| REX MD | Roman | Hims | Lemonaid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services for | • sexual health/ED • male pattern hair loss | • sexual health • hair loss • skin health • dandruff • stress • extreme sweating | • sexual health/ED • hair loss • anxiety and depression • skin care | • general health • sexual health/ED • hair loss • skin health • anxiety and depression • smoking cessation • at-home test kits |
| Prescription needed? | depends on the product | depends on the product | depends on the product | depends on the product |
| Shipping | free, 2–4 days | free, 2 days | free, “few business days” | free, 2–3 days |
| Customer service | 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot | 3.7-star rating on Trustpilot | 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot | 2.6-star rating on Trustpilot |
If you are concerned about erectile dysfunction, your sexual health, or recent hair loss, it’s a good idea to talk with a doctor. Many of the products offered at REX MD require a prescription because they can sometimes have side effects that a doctor can help you address and manage.
One of the benefits of REX MD is its telehealth option that allows you to meet with a doctor who’s licensed in your state to address your concerns.
But you may prefer to talk with your regular doctor, who can also prescribe similar medications and will be more familiar with your specific health history. Whether you choose to meet with a REX MD licensed doctor or your own local doctor, you can discuss your options openly and honestly with them to build the treatment plan that is right for you.
Is my information safe online?
Privacy and security are taken seriously at REX MD. The company complies with regulations set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They use strict encryption protocols to keep customer information safe and private.
The company is certified by LegitScript, a third-party regulatory and safety reviewer for healthcare entities.
Does REX MD offer free samples?
REX MD does offer a “Two Night Free Sample” of generic Viagra. It is worth noting that the sample is not entirely free — there is a $4.95 shipping fee — and you will need to create an account, meet with one of REX MD’s doctors, and be prescribed the samples. Additionally, when creating your account, you will need to search by state to make sure there is a licensed REX MD doctor that covers your location.
Where does REX MD get their medications?
They work with GoGoMeds to fill prescriptions. GoGoMeds provides low cost prescription medications mailed to your door, along with other specialty pharmacy services.
When do I get charged for this service?
You’ll be charged on the same day each month, or at the beginning of the next billing cycle, for recurring prescriptions.
REX MD offers ED and hair loss prescription medication without an in-office doctor’s appointment.
REX MD may be a good solution for you if you’re too busy to meet with a doctor or don’t want to discuss symptoms with your regular physician.
You’ll pay out of pocket for these services, but they’re sometimes less costly than an insurance copay and what you’d pay at a pharmacy.
Tracee Herbaugh is a writer and journalist who lives in the Boston area. She writes about culture, lifestyle, health, and family relationships. You can view her work online or find her on Twitter.