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Roman is an alternative men’s healthcare system aimed at providing medications for erectile disfunction and other health issues. Here’s an in-depth review of services, cost, user feedback, and more.
If you’re interested in men’s health services but don’t want to make a trip to the doctor in person, you may have come across the brand Roman.
In this article, we’re taking a close look at the brand: its services, what’s behind the hype of its popular erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments, other products you can try, and whether it’s worth checking out.
Roman is a men’s health service that specializes in treatments for ED, premature ejaculation (PE), and other men’s health conditions.
It’s a sub-brand of a company called Ro. Ro was founded in 2017 with the intention of providing “end-to-end” consumer healthcare service, according to the company. Ro seeks to help with all parts of your medical journey, including scheduling appointments, filling prescriptions, and more.
Roman focuses specifically on providing services for men’s health. The brand is most known for its ED medications that have the same active ingredient as brand names like Viagra and Cialis. But Roman also provides:
- online and in-person appointment services through an online dashboard
- prescription fills and refills with licensed pharmacies
- treatments for viral infections
- hair and skin treatments for hair loss, eczema, cold sores, and more
- generic forms of common treatments for allergies, heart health, and smoking cessation
- nutritional supplements for stress relief, weight management, and more
Roman claims to make prescription products easier to access through a subscription-based, telehealth model.
When you want a prescription for ED medications, hair loss products, or another medication, you can go through Roman’s website and answer a few questions.
You’ll also need to submit a picture of your photo ID and a clear photo of your face. A licensed healthcare professional then reviews your information and, if you’re a good candidate for telemedicine, they will fill the prescription for you.
Certain U.S. states require the additional step of a video chat with one of Roman’s healthcare professionals. These professionals are doctors with independently-owned practices.
You may need to submit some additional information, too. If you’re getting a prescription for ED medication, you’ll need to provide an accurate blood pressure reading from within the last 6 months. And if you’re signing up for hair loss medication, you’ll need to provide photos of your hairline from different angles.
If you meet the criteria for Roman telemedicine and your prescription is approved, you are ready to order.
You select whether you want a quarterly or monthly subscription for your medications, or if you want a one-time purchase. Within 2 days, the products are mailed to your home in an unmarked box and in discreet packaging.
You can cancel the subscription whenever you want.
Roman doesn’t currently accept health insurance as a form of payment.
Roman’s generic ED treatments are its most popular offering. The company provides generic and brand-name sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, as well as generic tadalafil (Cialis).
Here’s a brief overview of the ED medications Roman provides:
Here’s a breakdown of how much Roman charges for each ED treatment:
Branded Viagra
$90 for a single 25-, 50-, or 100-mg oral tablet.
Generic Viagra
- $4 for a single 25-mg oral tablet
- $6 for a single 50-mg oral tablet
- $10 for a single 100-mg oral tablet
Branded Cialis
- $20 for a single 5-mg oral tablet
- $80 for a single 10- or 20-mg oral tablet
Generic Cialis
- $11 for a single 5-mg oral tablet
- $44 for a single 10- or 20-mg oral tablet
Daily Generic Cialis
$8 for a single 2.5- or 5-mg oral tablet
See Roman’s website for a full list of medications and prices.
Roman Swipes
Roman Swipes contain 4% benzocaine and are used for premature ejaculation. This medication works by reducing overstimulation without eliminating sensation altogether, therefore improving endurance.
The wipes cost $22 per month for a 3-month supply of 72 wipes. They’re $27 for a 1-month purchase.
Note: All prices are current as of May 2023.
If you have ED or PE, it may feel intimidating or even embarrassing to ask for help. Roman helps remove some of that discomfort by helping you talk with a doctor online and get medications shipped discreetly to your door.
In addition, Roman’s products are shipped in unmarked boxes, so anyone who sees the package won’t be able to tell what’s inside.
The Roman website says that customers’ information is highly secure. However, the company’s privacy policy does note that any data Roman collects from customers may be shared with third-party advertisers.
Roman is rated on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and on Trustpilot.
Some customers have complained about being charged for automatic renewal without permission or experiencing slow shipping speeds. Roman has responded to numerous customer reviews in great detail.
Roman does not allow returns of prescription medication due to regulatory issues.
They offer a customer service contact email for any issues with incorrect or misplaced orders.
Customer reviews
Roman displays customer reviews on its website.
It’s important to note that only positive reviews are displayed, including photos. Customers praise treatment plans, fast shipping, and great response times from customer service.
However, reviews from other sites aren’t as uniformly positive.
At the time of publication, third-party review site Trustpilot displayed 14 Roman reviews, and it gave Roman a “poor” rating with an average of 2.2 stars out of 5.
One of the Trustpilot reviews relates to pricing — saying that competitors offer the same medications and dosages for significantly less.
Also at the time of publication, Roman’s rating on the BBB website landed at 1.69/5 stars out of a total of 13 customer reviews. Positive reviews point to feeling at ease when talking about concerns with the medical team.
Negative reviews point to several issues:
- late response times from customer service representatives
- unauthorized charges for canceled subscriptions
- not receiving subscriptions after being charged for them
- concerns about privacy relating to personal information
- lack of choices when picking a doctor for telemedicine appointments
Both sildenafil and tadalafil are part of a drug class called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors and have been approved by the FDA for prescription use under the supervision of a doctor.
However, be sure to talk with your doctor about possible risks, interactions, or side effects of using any Roman medications, especially when using PDE5 inhibitors in high doses. Side effects for sertraline and benzocaine, used for premature ejaculation, will also be covered below.
Keep in close communication with your doctor in case you notice any new symptoms.
PDE5 inhibitor side effects
Some side effects are possible with sildenafil and tadalafil, including:
- rash
- flushing
- redness
- muscle aches
- sore throat
- back pain
- headache
- runny nose
- indigestion
- erection that lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism)
- blurry vision
If you are taking nitrates (medications for chest pain) such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), and nitroglycerin (Nitromist, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat), please inform your doctor as these medications with PDE5 inhibitors can cause dangerously low blood pressure.
Sertraline side effects
Some side effects of sertraline can include:
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- upset stomach
- sleepiness
- insomnia
- excessive sweat (hyperhidrosis)
- shakiness
- fatigue
- agitation
Benzocaine side effects
Benzocaine is a common over-the-counter (OTC) numbing agent that’s used in many other products besides PE wipes.
Some possible side effects of benzocaine include:
- flaky skin
- tenderness where you wiped
- itchiness
- burning sensation
- stinging
- redness or warmth
When you meet with your doctor, you may not know which questions to ask about your ED care. Here are a few questions to get you started.
Questions for ED care
- Does my ED have a physical cause? How can I know?
- Are there any other possible causes?
- How can I test whether I have ED?
- Will my ED only last for a while or could it be longer term?
- How can I know what treatment is best?
- Are there alternatives to these medications?
- What are nonprescription treatments for ED?
- Should I be managing other health conditions along with my ED?
- What shouldn’t I do while I’m taking these medications?
- Do I need to see a urologist or another type of specialist?
- Are there any educational materials I can look at online?
Some doctors suggest that you visit a urologist if your ED medication isn’t helping you get and keep an erection 50% of the time or more.
If you have a chronic health condition or your doctor suspects an underlying condition might be contributing to ED, you may need further tests or a consultation with a specialist to find the right treatment.
Many emotional and psychological factors can also cause ED, so your doctor may also refer you to a mental health professional.
How long do the effects of Roman’s ED treatments last?
The effects of Viagra can last up to 4–6 hours, while Cialis can last 24–36 hours after taking a dose.
Erections should not last more than 4 hours, though. Erections lasting longer than 4 hours are considered a serious side effect that requires emergency treatment.
How often can you take Roman ED treatments?
Generally, medical professionals recommend taking an ED treatment like Cialis on a daily basis, or Viagra as needed before sex, but no more than once per day.
Talk with your doctor for a recommendation.
Should you take ED medication if you’re under 35?
Younger people can experience ED. In that case, a doctor may prescribe ED medication.
If you’re not experiencing symptoms of ED and you haven’t been given a prescription, you shouldn’t take ED medication.
Are Roman ED treatments safe?
Sildenafil and tadalafil are FDA-approved for prescription use under doctor supervision. However, that doesn’t mean they come without risks or side effects.
Pay attention to any new symptoms, and talk with your doctor about possible risks, interactions, or side effects of using Roman medications. This is especially important if you use PDE5 inhibitors in high doses.
How long does it take for Roman ED to work?
Roman ED typically begins working after about 30 minutes and lasts for about 4–6 hours.
If you’re feeling self-conscious about ED and having trouble affording a healthcare plan that covers treatments, Roman can help fill the gap by giving you access to safe, reliable treatments.
Roman provides physician consultations and discreet packaging so you can effectively manage this common condition.