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Hims and Roman are telehealth companies that sell prescription and nonprescription products to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), hair loss, and premature ejaculation (PE).
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
ED and hair loss are common health issues, with ED
Both ED and hair loss can cause emotional distress, but there is a range of prescription treatments available for both conditions.
Hims and Roman offer these treatments to order online.
This article discusses both brands, their products, and how to order, and answers some frequently asked questions.
Hims and Roman are both telehealth companies that provide prescription and nonprescription treatments for various conditions. They typically market their products to males.
Neither Hims nor Roman are covered by insurance.
| Hims | Roman | |
|---|---|---|
| Average customer rating | • 3.84 stars out of 5 on BBB | • 1.26 stars out of 5 on BBB |
| ED treatment | • sildenafil • Viagra • tadalafil • Cialis • Stendra | • sildenafil • Viagra • tadalafil • Cialis |
| Hair loss treatment | • oral finasteride • topical finasteride and minoxidil • minoxidil solution or foam • thickening shampoo and conditioner | • oral finasteride • minoxidil • oral minoxidil • finasteride and minoxidil |
| PE treatment | • Climax Delay Spray • Climax Delay Wipes • sertraline and paroxetine | • Roman Swipes • sertraline |
| Other conditions | • skin care • anxiety and depression | • testosterone support • daily health |
| Price | from: • $15 per month for hair loss treatment • $4 per dose for certain ED medications • $19 per month for PE treatments • free delivery | from: • $16 per month for hair loss treatment • $4 per dose for certain ED medications • $24 per month for PE treatments • free delivery |
| Consultations | initial consultation and ongoing support and care at no extra cost | initial consultation and unlimited follow-up care at no extra cost |
| Subscription | delivery monthly or every 3 months | delivery on demand, monthly, or every 3 months |
*Prices and ratings correct as of September 2024
Hims began operating in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company sells prescription and nonprescription treatments geared primarily toward males, including treatments for ED, hair loss, and PE. Hims has a sister company, Hers, which sells female health products.
Hims also sells skin care products, including those for aging support, wrinkles, and acne, and various medication treatments for mental health conditions. Hims also provides psychiatry assessments and individual and group therapy sessions.
Hims is a subscription company, and people receive their treatment every month or once every 3 months.
Hims pros and cons
Before making an order from Hims, a person might consider the advantages and disadvantages of the service.
Pros
- There is a wide range of products for male health.
- There are branded and generic versions of medication available.
- Hims states its consultations are free.
- The company claims its shipping is free.
- People can opt for a subscription service for some medications.
Cons
- Some reviewers found customer service staff difficult to communicate with.
- The website does not clearly list prices for all of its products.
- Some medications are far more expensive than those of its competitors.
- Orders may take longer to arrive than those of competitors.
- Not all hair loss products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- It has a low average customer review rating on BBB.
New York-based company Roman also launched in 2017. The company sells prescription and nonprescription treatments for ED, hair loss, and PE.
In addition, Roman offers treatments for skin conditions such as eczema and excessive sweating. It also sells various daily health supplements, including multivitamins and products for testosterone support, stress relief, and prostate health.
Roman is also a subscription company. People will receive their treatment on demand, monthly, or every 3 months.
It is important to note that this company offers drugs for off-label use.
Some companies offer medication in a way that the FDA has not approved, meaning the way the company prescribes the medication is not how the label recommends. This is known as off-label use. A person should contact a doctor before taking medications in this way.
Roman pros and cons
Before making an order from Roman, a person might consider the following advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- It provides treatments for a wide range of health concerns.
- It offers branded and generic versions of drugs.
- Its medications are more affordable than competitors in some cases.
- The company says it has free, fast shipping.
- Its subscription service may be convenient.
- It offers a free initial consultation and ongoing support at no extra cost.
Cons
- Some customers found canceling the subscription difficult.
- Customers comment that there is a lack of flexibility in choosing doctors.
- Reviews mention the company made unauthorized charges.
- It has a low average customer review rating on BBB.
Online customer reviews are mixed for Hims and Roman. Learn more about the reputation of both brands below.
Hims
Hims has an accredited page with the BBB. When publishing, the BBB gave the company an A+ grade. Customer reviews average 3.84 out of 5 stars.
Reviews praising Hims mention quick responses when problems occurred with orders. However, neutral and negative reviews mention difficulty canceling subscriptions, canceled appointments, and slow doctor responses.
Roman
Roman is accredited with the BBB. At the time of publication, the organization gave the company an A+ grade and received 1.6 out of 5 stars.
At the time of publishing, there are 50 reviews on BBB. Critical reviews mention late deliveries and undelivered medication. However, positive reviews state that the company’s vitamins and ED medications are effective, and deliveries are fast.
Hims and Roman offer similar prescription medication for ED.
Both Hims and Roman also sell treatments for PE, including wipes and sprays.
A person can order nonprescription products directly from the Hims and Roman websites, but getting prescription medication requires a few extra steps.
Getting Hims prescription treatments
To order a prescription treatment, people must create an account with Hims and discuss their symptoms with a licensed healthcare professional. This consultation takes place online.
If the healthcare professional finds medication suitable, they can write a prescription. Hims then ships the medication to the person in discreet packaging. The free shipping and package arrives in 2–5 business days.
Hims offers free consultations and ongoing care. However, insurance companies do not cover the costs of these services.
Getting Roman prescription treatments
To order prescription treatment, a person completes an online questionnaire about their medical history and symptoms and uploads a photo of their ID.
If necessary, a healthcare professional reviews this questionnaire to determine the best approach and writes a prescription.
Roman offers follow-up appointments at no extra cost. Insurance companies do not cover the costs of these sessions or treatments.
The company offers free shipping in discreet packaging. Roman writes that people will receive their packages 2–4 days after ordering, although all orders qualify for 2-day shipping at no extra cost.
Hims and Roman both offer similar services and products. Below, we provide a more in-depth comparison of the two companies.
Price
Roman has a pricing page on its website for all products, whereas Hims lists some prices but not others.
The table below shows how Hims and Roman compare on prices for treatments for ED, hair loss, and PE.
Prices are correct as of March 2024.
Products and conditions
In addition to ED, hair loss, and PE treatments, Hims also offers the following:
- Skin care: This includes pro-aging support, acne creams, and basic skin care products.
- Allergies: Hims treats seasonal allergies, hay fever, itchy eyes, and sinus congestion.
- Infections: Treatments for ringworm, jock itch, athlete’s foot, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and more are available from Hims.
- Anxiety and depression: Various antidepressant medications are available following a consultation.
- Therapy and support groups: Hims offers online counseling with licensed therapists for $99 per session and online, anonymous support groups.
Roman offers these additional products:
- Cold sores and genital herpes: Roman offers the antiviral valacyclovir.
- Daily supplements: Roman can provide a men’s multivitamin and daily supplements for heart health, testosterone support, stress relief, and prostate health.
- Allergies: Various anti-allergy medications are available starting at $19 per month.
- Eczema: Prescription triamcinolone cream is available on a quarterly plan.
- Excessive sweating: A topical prescription solution is available for individuals who sweat excessively, which is known as hyperhidrosis.
- Mental health: Roman offers treatments for depression, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- Weight management: Roman offers a prescription of Plenity, which it states is the only FDA-approved weight management tool made from natural building blocks.
Consultations
Both companies offer initial consultations and ongoing appointments at no extra cost.
Subscription, delivery, and insurance
Both companies offer monthly or quarterly subscriptions. Roman also allows people to buy certain products on demand.
Hims and Roman offer free delivery in discreet packaging.
Neither service accepts insurance.
Hims and Roman provide safety information for all products. Below is an overview of some of the potential side effects a person may experience when taking medication from Hims or Roman.
Mild side effects
Some common side effects of ED medication
Both Roman and Hims supply finasteride for hair loss. Some common side effects of finasteride
- ED
- decrease in ejaculate volume
- increase in the risk of high-grade prostate cancer
More severe side effects
If a person takes any other medication, they should inform the healthcare professional during their consultation. Certain drugs can interact with other medications, which can lead to potentially life threatening conditions.
For example, people who take nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors for ED have
Additionally, the
A person can consider the following telehealth companies as alternatives to Hims and Roman:
- Keeps: Keeps offers hair loss treatments, including oral finasteride, minoxidil solution and foam, ketoconazole shampoo, and a range of thickening shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products. Prices start at $10 monthly, depending on a person’s treatment. Learn more about Keeps.
- Lemonaid: Lemonaid provides a similar range of products to Hims and Roman, including treatments for ED, PE, and hair loss. Prices start at $2 for Lemonaid ED medication, $1 for PE treatment, and $60 for a 3-month supply of hair loss treatments. Learn more about Lemonaid.
The following table compares Hims, Roman, Keeps, and Lemonaid.
| Treatments | Consultation fee | Takes insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | • ED • PE • hair loss • skin care • mental health | free initial consultation | no |
| Roman | • ED • PE • hair loss • daily health • testosterone support | free initial consultation | no |
| Keeps | hair loss | free for the first year, $5 per consultation after | no |
| Lemonaid | • ED • PE • hair loss • primary care | $25 | no |
The NIDDK says there may be alternative treatments to medication for ED. It recommends some lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying physically active.
People may also consider other treatments, such as vacuum erectile devices, to help them achieve and maintain an erection. People should discuss all treatment options with their doctor.
There are many treatments available for hair loss, including:
Hair transplant: This procedure involves a surgeon moving healthy hair from another part of the scalp to an area with thinning hair.
Platelet-rich plasma: This treatment involves taking blood from a person, separating the plasma from the blood, and injecting the plasma into the scalp.
Laser devices: Some companies sell laser devices for home use that may help encourage hair growth. People should only buy products that the FDA has approved.
The FDA states that a safe, legal pharmacy always requires a prescription from a licensed doctor and has a physical address and telephone number within the United States.
Pharmacies should also have a license to operate in the state where they do business and have a state-licensed pharmacist to answer customer queries.
The FDA lists online pharmacies to avoid on its website.
Roman and Hims are both telehealth companies offering online consultations with healthcare professionals who prescribe medications for several health conditions.
However, different companies own and operate Roman and Hims. People should consider which brand offers the medication at the most acceptable price before choosing which company to use.
Hims offers PE products, such as climax delay sprays and wipes. These products can help a person have sex for longer before ejaculating.
Blue Chew and Roman are both telehealth companies that offer prescription medication for ED.
Roman sells treatments for hair loss, mental health, skin care, and a range of sexual and primary care concerns. By comparison, Blue Chew only sells three ED medications: sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. All these products are sold in a chewable form, which is not an FDA-approved form of these drugs.
Hims sells two prescription medications to address PE. These medications are sertraline and paroxetine, which are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Research suggests SSRIs can help prevent PE.
Roman is a telehealth company that provides prescription medication for ED, including Viagra.
Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil, which is a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction.
Roman is a telehealth company. It provides customers with medications that treat PE, ED, hair loss, and other medications with a valid prescription.
These medications vary in the time they take to work. However, ED pills like Viagra typically take about 1 hour to work, although it can take between 30 minutes and 4 hours.
Hims and Roman are telehealth companies that sell health products for males. Some options include prescription ED medication, hair loss and PE treatments, and nonprescription general health products.
Both companies offer consultations and follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals to discuss prescriptions and any side effects. Reporting any side effects is important.