Medically reviewed by: 
With telemedicine startups and online pharmacies quickly revolutionizing medical treatment, medicine meant to treat conditions like Erectile Dysfunction (ED) are becoming more accessible on the internet through platforms like Roman (or getroman for those of you who speak internet). How effective are these ED treatments in general? What are the primary advantages and disadvantages of seeing a doctor online to get treatment? How does Roman compare to the other, new online telemedicine companies. And how does Roman compare to the popular brands that you already know about like Viagra?
We’ll also review our personal experience ordering Sildenafil through Roman. While we don’t really think a personal experience should matter for a medical treatment, enough people have asked what it’s actually like, if it’s legit, if it works, that we feel the need to talk through how it actually went. OK, we can cut to the chase, the medicine from Roman worked. More on that later!
Newsflash: ED is very common
To understand this better, let’s take a quick look at what Erectile Dysfunction is and why it happens.
An erection is made possible by a good amount of biological engineering. It’s a balancing act between hormones, the nervous system, the brain, and the cardiovascular system. When one or more of these isn’t performing the way they should to maintain reproductive health or health in general, we run into problems with performance.
So, in other words, ED can be caused by a variety of other conditions or it can even just be a matter of aging. Some things aren’t meant to last forever. Try telling that to the creators of Viagra.
More than half (52%) of men over the age of 40 suffer from Erectile Dysfunction and it’s even common among younger men in their thirties.
20 years ago, Viagra started changing the lives of men with one small pill. Today, the active ingredient in Viagra, Sildenafil, is no longer limited to the famous blue diamond Viagra made famous, and startup geniuses like Roman are making it their mission to help men rise to the occasion with ED treatment.
Viagra continues to be the most well-known brand for treating ED, but Roman may very well be gaining the upper hand when it comes to things like delivery, treatment plans, and price.
With FDA approved treatments and a panel of highly qualified medical professionals on their team, Roman is changing the game in ways that weren’t possible even 10 years ago.
Viagra vs Roman: What’s Similar?
The effectiveness of ED treatment should definitely be a factor in determining which products men turn to for help, but what exactly makes products like Viagra effective against ED?
First, let’s look at the active ingredient in the most common ED treatments on the market; Sildenafil Citrate. Viagra and similar ED treatments containing Sildenafil are classified as PDE5 inhibitors.
That basically means they inhibit certain chemicals in the body that are responsible for the constriction of blood vessels that may lead to ED. This means more blood can flow into your penis, and so you get a better erection.
In case you may have been wondering, the Sildenafil that Roman gives you access to is essentially the same as brand name Viagra. Same effectiveness, same quality, and same FDA approval. Both have been proven as equally effective at treating ED.
Both Viagra and Roman ED treatment contain Sildenafil Citrate. This means that Both Viagra and Roman provide federally approved ED treatments, both offer access to one of the most effective ED treatments available, and both are in high demand. Before expanding to include other treatment options for both men and women, Roman started off with this and a few other in-demand men’s medications.
Since Viagra is the most counterfeited drug in the world, it should come as no surprise that there are more than enough imposters looking to sell fakes on the web.
I can’t stress this enough: avoid shopping sites like the plague when looking for legitimate ED treatment online, and always look for transparency.
Although there are other legitimate Telemedicine platforms and pharmacies out there, Roman makes transparency a top priority.
Since Viagra went generic in 2017 with its generic version being simply known as Sildenafil, treatment for Erectile Dysfunction had become more affordable and men don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on their sexual health. Roman now gives men with ED access to ‘generic Viagra’ consistently and as needed.
Another similarity between Roman’s ED meds, Sildenafil, and Viagra is they both come in multiple strengths. Dosage amounts are similar although this may vary from person to person when it comes to Roman.
The doctors at Roman require anyone receiving treatment to go through their online doctors’ visit which helps the professionals at Roman determine the best course of action. This includes determining the dosages needed for effective treatment.
Roman vs Viagra: What's the difference?
Getting help with ED through Roman has a few advantages that you may not find with other startups or channels for treatment.
One advantage that becomes obvious immediately is a lower price. Roman offers ED treatment at a considerably lower cost than Viagra. This is mainly due to the cost of generic Viagra (Sildenafil), which is Roman’s treatment option for ED, as compared to name-brand Viagra.
Another difference between Roman ED and Viagra is the amount of Sildenafil they each contain. This slight difference in dosage is what gives Sildenafil an FDA approval for treating certain types of hypertension, although that’s not how it’s intended to be used in the context of Roman’s ED treatment.
Taking the 20mg dose that’s standard with Sildenafil means that men taking this medication are at a much lower risk for certain side effects because they can easily decrease or increase their dosage after talking to a doctor.
The dosage for one pill of Viagra is 50mg. Although this is a more potent dose, guys taking Roman Viagra have the option to work out higher dosages with a licensed medical professional through the company’s website, as appropriate, all while paying a lower price and taking advantage of that free ED doctor’s visit.
Are Roman’s online doctor visits for ED legit?
There’s no doubt that treatment plans are available for Viagra outside of Roman’s telemedicine platform, but one thing that sets Roman apart from other startups who offer Viagra is medical expertise. In fact, the awesome telemedicine experience is part of the reason that this company is growing so quickly. You can see a real, licensed physician without having to leave your couch. Read our full review if you’d like to dive more into is Roman legit?
The treatment plans given to accompany Roman’s ED medicines were designed by none other than Dr. Seth Cohen, Head of Men’s Health, NYU Division of Sexual Medicine and Reconstruction and Dr. Steven Lamm, Director of NYU Men’s Health Center.
In case you’re asking how this has anything to do with getting a decent erection, having doctors of this caliber on their team means that Roman knows what to do and how to do it for the results you’re looking for.
And the online doctor’s visit is simple, fast and doesn’t require an appointment. The first visit (which is likely all you need) is free, so it’s probably even cheaper than your regular insurance and copay. Depending on the state you live in, you may not even have to talk to a person live at all; you can likely complete the visit (with a licensed physician) all through answering a series of medical questions, most of which you should know off the top of your head.
We do strongly, strongly recommend you answer all of the questions honestly/as well as you can. The doctors are trying to screen out any potential health issues, so help them come to the safest conclusion for you.
Ready to start your free visit? Visit roman now – or read on to see more about how they compare to Viagra.
Here’s how Roman stacks up against Viagra when it comes to ED treatment:
Roman vs. Viagra: A General Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost per Single Dose (pill) | $2.00 for 20mg, $10.00 for one 100mg dose | $4.00-$10.00 for one 20 mg dose |
| Shipping | Free | — |
| Active Ingredient | Sildenafil Citrate | Sildenafil Citrate |
| Prescription Required | No | Yes |
| Website | ||
Our Experience Ordering Generic Viagra from Roman
Like a lot of men, we can sometimes use a little help. So we actually went through the prescription process with Roman, ordered – and tried – their generic Sildenafil.
Overall it was a great process. The online doctor’s visit is really easy, and not at all embarrassing. They simply ask you some questions – via what are basically web forms – and then let you know if the medicine would be a good fit for you.
The packaging was pretty great – the pills came in individual packets, which would be easy to take with you in your wallet or pocket if you went out. And the actual mail package was discrete and arrived quickly.
The actual generic viagra from Roman worked just as expected, and the effect lasted for about 3 to 4 hours for us. It did take about 30 or so minutes to kick in, which is pretty standard for this type of a treatment. The only major difference between the Roman pills and real Viagra that you are likely to notice is that the Roman pills don’t have that special, blue “Viagra color.”
Roman vs Viagra: What to keep in mind?
When it comes to Sildenafil from Roman, the risks are relatively low as compared to some other medications that have higher rates of counter indications. This doesn’t mean that certain people shouldn’t keep a few things in mind while taking this treatment.
The risks involved with taking Sildenafil from Roman are greatly reduced by working one-on-one with their fully certified physicians to determine if it’s the best treatment for any given person.
Although someone who has already been screened by a doctor with an online visit isn’t likely to encounter any problems while on ED treatment from Roman, anyone who is already taking medications for blood pressure shouldn’t take Sildenafil.
This is mainly because the combination of the two, especially if the blood pressure medicines are classified as nitrates, can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Nitrate medicines also include medicines that treat chest pain, and any form of nitroglycerin tablets, sprays, or patches.
Although this side effect is extremely rare, Sildenafil can cause permanent and sudden changes in vision. Anyone who experiences these while taking Sildenafil is advised to go to an emergency room immediately.
There’s also a chance that the erection achieved with the help of Sildenafil can last way longer than expected. You can probably guess how uncomfortable or even painful that could be, but believe it or not, the discomfort isn’t the real issue.
The danger in this instance is the possibility of permanent tissue damage, and it’s best to seek medical attention for an erection that lasts longer than four hours.
How you or anyone else decides to go about getting help with ED should be a matter of having the necessary information to make a decision that will bring the most long-term benefit.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Roman ED medication and Viagra. You may also want to check out other online ED providers such as BlueChew, which offers chewable ED meds, as well as newer telemedicine providers such as Huge.com and / or Rex MD, both of which we’ve reviewed in depth.
Speaking of new DTC brands, we have a newsletter that covers all the latest offerings. Subscribe below to stay in the loop:
Pros of Roman’s Sildenafil
- Costs less than Viagra
- Free two-day shipment
- Dosage can be easily adjusted
- FDA approved and regulated
- Expert medical advice from doctors along with a personalized treatment plan
- Usually takes effect within an hour
- Innovative treatment and prescriptions
Pros of Viagra
- Costs more than Roman but contains a slightly higher amount of Sildenafil per dose.
- FDA Approved and Regulated
- Available online
- Usually takes effect within an hour
Cons of Roman’s Sildenafil
- Not brand name Viagra
- Not available without a prescription
- Lower dosage per pill
Cons of Viagra
- Dosage not easily adjusted
- Somewhat costly as compared to Roman
- No online prescriptions
Methodology
We conduct extensive research to evaluate the pricing, effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, and user experience of every telehealth service we review. This also includes examining and comparing each provider to comparable telemedicine alternatives. We also evaluate usability, treatments, prescription delivery time, and more to determine the best value for those seeking fast and reliable telehealth services.
| 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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