Manual.co is a UK-based telemedicine platform that focuses on healthcare for individuals assigned male at birth. It provides a range of treatments with ongoing support from licensed clinicians for hair loss, weight management, low testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction, and more. Manual also provides at-home blood testing as a convenient option for individuals looking to track and monitor specific health concerns or general health.
Manual provides research-backed treatments and at-home access to healthcare services, with the ability to contact their medical professionals at any time via email or phone. In addition, the platform offers a monthly subscription model and discreet, free delivery.
In this Manual review, we cover the pros and cons of the platform, as well as an overview of the specific products and treatments offered.
Manual
Pros + Cons
Pros
-Access healthcare services from the comfort of your home, eliminating or reducing the need for in-person appointments for certain concerns
-Focuses on specific health needs for assigned males, offering tailored treatments and solutions for hair loss, weight management, sexual health, skin care, and more
-Ensures greater discretion and privacy for certain health issues or concerns
-Boasts a team of licensed and experienced healthcare professionals that can be contacted at any time via phone or email
-Can cancel your subscription at any time, ensuring that individuals aren’t locked into a plan that doesn’t work for them
-Free, quick delivery in discreet packages
Cons
-Telemedicine may limit physical examination capabilities, which could be essential for some health conditions
-May not cover all medical conditions or urgent situations that require in-person care
-Some insurance providers may not fully cover telemedicine services or specific treatments offered, potentially resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs for individuals
Is Manual.co Legit?
Manual.co is a legitimate, highly rated telemedicine platform that offers prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) supplements that are backed by research. This, along with ongoing remote support from licensed UK physicians, makes Manual a trusted choice for certain healthcare services.
The medical team at Manual.co is qualified and licensed to prescribe medications for various health concerns. For weight management, the team also includes health coaches who are certified by the Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE), which is internationally recognised as a standard of excellence in obesity management.
Manual is authorised and regulated by the General Medical Council and the General Pharmaceutical Council. It has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates medications and medical devices in the UK, ensuring safety and efficacy.
What Does Manual.co Treat?
The Manual health platform offers virtual care for an extensive range of health concerns, including:
- Hair loss
- Weight management
- Low testosterone levels
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Insomnia
- Dermatology
- Daily health (vitamins and supplements)
Hair Loss
Manual offers four different treatments designed to stop hair loss and encourage hair growth:
- Complete Hair Loss Plan includes two clinically-proven prescription hair loss treatments: finasteride 1mg tablets and a 10% minoxidil topical solution with 5% azelaic acid.
- Finasteride Plan includes finasteride tablets, a clinically-proven, popular treatment for male pattern hair loss.
- Minoxidil Plan includes minoxidil topical solution with 5% azelaic acid, a research-backed and longstanding hair loss treatment.
- Power Shampoo contains science-backed ingredients, including biotin, saw palmetto, and caffeine, which aim to strengthen and revitalise hair follicles.
Do Manual Hair Loss Treatments Work?
Manual uses clinically-proven treatments for hair loss, such as finasteride and minoxidil, which are both associated with decreased hair shedding, increased hair growth, and improved hair density. In addition, saw palmetto, biotin, and caffeine also have research that supports their use in treating certain types of hair loss, however, more research is still needed.
Related reading: Manual Hair Loss Review- Does It Work for Men’s Hair Loss?
Weight Management
In addition to one-on-one health coaching from a SCOPE certified professional, Manual also offers two prescription GLP-1 medications as a part of their weight loss program:
- Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication known as a GLP-1 inhibitor, that is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
- Saxenda (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 medication that has been approved by the FDA and the European Medicines Union for weight loss treatment in certain individuals.
Does the Manual Weight Loss Program Work?
GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and cravings, ultimately helping individuals consume fewer calories. Research notes that both semaglutide and liraglutide are associated with weight loss in certain individuals when coupled with additional lifestyle changes.
Low Testosterone
Manual offers testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for individuals diagnosed with low testosterone levels (low-T), which may lead to symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and more.
TRT from Manual involves prescription testosterone medication, which is available as injections, pills, creams, and patches. This medication can be prescribed if your blood test results indicate low testosterone levels.
Does Manual’s TRT program work?
TRT may be effective for certain individuals who are experiencing symptoms of low-T. It may help erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, anaemia, lean body mass, symptoms of depression, and more. However, TRT may not work well for everyone.
Erectile Dysfunction
Manual offers three prescription medications for erectile dysfunction (ED), which describes when an individual is unable to get or keep an erection:
- Viagra is the branded, over-the-counter form of sildenafil, available only in 50mg tablets.
- Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, but it’s the generic form and, therefore, much less expensive.
- Tadalafil is the generic form of Cialis, and it’s effective for up to 36 hours.
Viagra, sildenafil, and tadalafil are all known as PDE5 inhibitors and work by boosting blood flow to the penis. Viagra and sildenafil should be taken about 30 minutes before sexual activity and last for around 4 hours, while tadalafil lasts for about 36 hours.
Skin Care
Manual offers three skin treatments:
- Mr. Moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid and allantoin to boost the skin’s water retention and stimulate skin cell regeneration.
- Wrinkle Warrior contains vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, peptides, and “triple” hyaluronic acid to improve the skin’s antioxidant protection.
- Skin Kit includes Mr. Moisturiser and Wrinkle Warrior.
Related reading: Skin Care Kits for Men
Supplements and Blood Tests
Along with prescription treatments, Manual offers a range of supplements and blood tests for comprehensive healthcare.
Manual’s supplement offerings include:
- Hair Vitamins are capsules containing biotin, selenium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, niacin, and riboflavin that aim to support thicker, fuller hair.
- Testosterone Support is a daily supplement containing maca, ginseng, and zinc to naturally support testosterone levels and sex drive.
- Good Nights contains tart cherry, chamomile, and lemon balm to support a better quality of sleep.
- CBD Nights contains CBD and 5HTP that aim to support nighttime relaxation.
- Best Rest Plan includes both Good Nights and CBD Nights.
- Energy Vitamins contain a high dose of 6 essential B vitamins to support the metabolism and help prevent tiredness.
- Immunity Vitamins contain a high dose (1,000mg) of vitamin C with vitamin E, zinc, vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium to help support the immune system.
- Gut Care contains 2 billion CFU with lactobacilli strains and bifidobacteria, a prebiotic, and vitamin D3 with patented Duocap® technology to help the capsule survive stomach acid and reach the gut.
- Omega-3 Extra contains fish oil with EPA and DHA essential omega-3s and antioxidants to support heart health and proper body functioning.
- Strength Vitamins are once-daily capsules containing vitamin D3 1000 IU to support a healthy immune system, bones, and muscles.
- Performance Vitamins contain essential B vitamins that aim to support overall energy and metabolism, as well as mental, emotional, and cardiovascular health.
- Daily Multivitamin contains calcium, iron, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium, and vitamin K to support overall health.
The blood tests available from Manual:
- Complete Blood Test tracks 7 biomarkers, including vitamins, minerals, lipid profile, and metabolic markers.
- At-Home Testosterone Blood Test is an initial diagnostic test for testosterone replacement therapy.
- Enhanced Testosterone Blood Test is a comprehensive blood test done after the At-Home Testosterone Blood Test to confirm the results prior to starting TRT.
How Manual Works
Manual provides an easy-to-navigate online interface, making it easy to get started with various treatments.
On Manual’s homepage, scroll to the bottom and select “Book Consultation.” You can choose a phone call or video call appointment, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. Then, select which health concern you’d like to discuss with one of Manual’s clinicians and book a slot in the calendar.
If you want to skip the consultation, you can use Manual’s quick online assessment. Each treatment (hair loss, weight loss, testosterone, etc.) has its own assessment, which you can access from the individual treatment pages. The assessment asks a series of questions to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the medication. Based on your answers, Manual will create a personalised treatment plan according to your needs.
For prescription medications and weight loss management, Manual uses a subscription format with a set monthly cost, which you can cancel at any time.
If you’re interested in Manual’s vitamins and supplements, you can make a one-time purchase or subscribe for a discount – no questionnaire required.
Manual Reviews from Real Customers
Manual.co boasts high customer ratings on its site and TrustPilot. Customers note that Manual’s team members are friendly and that the service is easy to use, with no long-term commitment. However, a few customers note that they had problems with delivery, specifically, no choice of delivery dates.
The Verdict: Is Manual.co Worth It?
Manual.co is ideal for assigned males who want easy access to high-quality health treatments. | |
Manual.co offers research-backed treatments for many health concerns, including weight management, hair loss, low testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction, skin care, sleep, and overall health. With excellent customer service and free, discreet delivery, it’s a convenient way for individuals to improve and monitor their health.
Manual offers low monthly pricing and personalised treatment plans, making it simple to address certain concerns without having to book an in-person doctor’s appointment. Although the platform isn’t a suitable choice for individuals requiring immediate care, it may be an excellent choice for treating certain health concerns.
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Methodology
We conducted extensive research to evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, and customer support of Manual.co. To determine overall value, we also evaluated usability, subscription services, and pricing.
Other factors we investigated prior to choosing the best men’s telehealth platform included convenience, discounts, access to healthcare providers, and exclusive deals offered. For the most useful and convenient overall, Manual.co stood out for its wide range of treatments, services, and subscription options for assigned males.
| Review Process | Key Metrics | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online | – ease to complete intake form – affordability – upfront commitment or subscription required? – money back guarantee or refund policy? | 0.5 |
| Vitual consult with provider / determine eligibility | – ease to get appointment to determine eligibility – need to leave house for labs or other in-person care? | 1 |
| Shipping + unboxing | – shipping cost – time from order to treatment delivery – discreet packaging to maintain privacy | 0.5 |
| Test + journal for 1-3 months | – ease of application – transition into habitual use – taste / smell / feel / pain | 1.5 |
| Results after 3 months of use | – efficacy / results – lack of side effects – ease of refill / reordering – quality of ongoing clinical support – responsive customer support – willingness to recommend to a friend | 1.5 |
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