Ro Review 2024: What to Know About This Men's Health Service

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Whether you’re concerned with privacy, scheduling or finding a doctor who specializes in men’s health, getting the help you need can feel like an uphill battle.

As a digital health clinic catering to men, Ro (formerly known as Roman) lets you take an online assessment and send it to a team of medical providers for review. The company treats common men's health issues using a variety of FDA-approved products, like minoxidil, which is a "vasodilator that stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth," says Anna Chacon, MD, a dermatologist. If Ro's doctors decide you need medication, the pharmacy will send a prescription directly to your home. It also offers a variety of dietary supplements without a prescription

In our 2024 Ro review, we’ll explain how the company works, which services are available and help you decide whether Ro is a good fit for you.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

What Is Ro?

Ro is a company that specializes in men’s telehealth services for a variety of health concerns and conditions, offering convenient access to prescription medications. Medications can either be prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) and are used for a variety of conditions including:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Hair loss
  
• Premature ejaculation (PE)
• Weight management
• Skincare

The service includes unlimited follow-ups with licensed providers, prescription refills and prescription delivery. Additionally, Ro's concierge team will work with your insurance provider to coordinate treatment, but you must first verify your plan covers telehealth and medications.

How Ro Works

After creating your profile on the Ro website, you'll take a 15 to 20 minute online assessment to share any health-rated symptoms you're experiencing. Once completed, a medical professional will review your answers and send you a message with their recommendations. For most services, the consultation is free, and you’re only paying for the medication. If the doctors decide you're a good candidate for medication, they'll ship it right to your door.

From there, the doctors provide advice, online consultations and ongoing guidance. The Ro medical team will manage your care 100 percent remotely, as the brand doesn't offer in-person services.

You’ll be set up with automatic monthly billing and shipping of your medication refills, and most treatments are available month-to-month with no contracts. The company also offers savings on certain products if you order multiple months at once, and the hair loss plan comes with a minimum of three months to see results.

Ro Product Line

Ro provides medication for a variety of health issues, from sexual health to skincare and hair loss.

Sexual health treatments

Ro's services center around sexual health, and the brand offers medications for ED, herpes and PE. All of its ED medications (brand name and generic) are PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra and Cialis, which means they're designed to relax blood vessels and prevent the release of enzymes that delay or prevent erections.

For PE, Ro offers two treatment options: over-the-counter and prescription medication. Its OTC premature ejaculation wipes, made with benzocaine, are designed to delay orgasm. Side effects of the use of benzocaine are rare or mild. The company also provides prescriptions to sertraline (a generic version of Zoloft), which may help delay ejaculation time, though more research is needed.

Hair loss

Ro is also commonly recognized for its hair loss products like its oral finasteride, which is designed to manage androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss. Aside from that, it offers other clinically tested ingredients like minoxidil and saw palmetto shampoo and conditioner.

Weight loss products (Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy)

Ro's weight loss catalogue includes injections and drugs used for weight loss like Ozempic, Saxenda and Wegovy. It also has a weight loss program called The Body Program that allows you to consult with a team of experts and a personal health coach.

Related Post: Best Supplements for Weight Loss

Fertility test kits

In 2021, Ro acquired Modern Fertility, which allowed it to expand its fertility product lineup. In addition to fertility trackers, prenatal vitamins and pregnancy tests for women, Modern Fertility offers a semen test kit that analyses for sperm count, concentration and motility (the sperm's ability to move).

Skincare treatments

Ro’s skincare products can be customized to your skin type and skincare goals. During your free consultation, your provider will review what your skin struggles are and direct you to the best products. There are many active ingredients in the company's products, such as tretinoin or azelaic acid, and powerful antioxidants such as vitamin E.

Related Post: The 7 Best Vitamin E Oils, According to a Dermatologist

Daily health supplements

Ro offers a variety of health supplements for men, including formulas for prostate health, mental focus, cellular health and multivitamins. The supplements are all manufactured in the U.S.

Related Post: Best Multivitamins for Men Take in 2023

Testosterone support

Ro’s testosterone support product is made with a blend of ashwagandha, zinc and vitamin D, which research show may help support sexual function and testosterone production.

Related Post: The 8 Best Ashwagandha Supplements To Support Stress Relief

Ro Pros

• The service allows you to receive treatment from home
• You'll receive medical advice from experts in the field of men's health
• Prescriptions are shipped in discreet packaging
• The brand is transparent about pricing, and provides a cost breakdown for every single product before you join
• The telehealth care model enables you to talk with an expert from anywhere with internet access

Ro Cons

• Pricing, while transparent, can be a bit complicated as Ro doesn’t work with any insurance providers. Many of its common prescriptions, including erectile dysfunction and hair loss treatments, come with a flat monthly rate that covers all the costs of your consultation and having the medications shipped to your door.
  
• The weight loss service has a flat monthly fee of $149, which only covers the consultation fees and monthly access to your personal health coach, not the weight loss medication or devices.

Ro Cost

Ro offers a wide variety of medications and supplements, with most coming in both the brand name and a generic version. It doesn't take insurance, so when paying out of pocket, the generic version is usually the more affordable option.

Don't worry if only the generic version fits in your budget. In many cases, the generic medicine is just as effective as the brand name, though there may be small differences in the formula or side effects. ED medications are a good example. "Both brand-name and generic ED medications contain the same active ingredients, ensuring similar effectiveness," says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine. "However, slight variations in inactive components, like fillers or dyes, may exist between the two versions."

The one service insurance can be used for is The Body Program. This weight loss service costs $149 per month, and all lab work and medication are paid for by your insurance, or out of pocket. (It's the only Ro offering that requires lab testing before treatment.) The monthly fee covers your access to medical experts who monitor your progress and write prescriptions as needed.

Because this service isn’t paid out of pocket, your rate will be determined by your insurance provider. If you don’t have insurance, or if doctors recommend weight loss drugs that are not covered by your plan, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for your lab work and medication.

Shipping on Ro products is always free, and orders are delivered in discreet, unmarked packaging. Members can also choose to pick up their prescriptions at their local pharmacy.

One of the other great things about Ro is that its quite transparent in its pricing, offering a complete list of products with their respective costs right on the site:

Branded Viagra

• $90 for a single 25-, 50- or 100-milligram oral tablet

Sildenafil (Generic Viagra)

• $4 for a single 25-milligram oral tablet
• $6 for a single 50-milligram oral tablet
• $10 for a single 100-milligram oral tablet

Branded Cialis

• $20 for a single five-milligram oral tablet
• $80 for a single 10- or 20-milligram oral tablet

Tadalafil (Generic Cialis)

• $11 for a single five-milligram oral tablet
• $44 for a single 10- or 20-milligram oral tablet

Daily tadalafil (generic Cialis)

• $8 for a single 2.5- or five-milligram oral tablet

Roman Swipes

• $27 per month

Sertraline (generic Zoloft)

• $24 per month

Roman Hair Solution (topical spray)

• $50/month (quarterly plan)

Finasteride

• $20/month (quarterly plan)

Oral Minoxidil

• $30/month (quarterly plan)

Minoxidil (generic Rogaine)

• $16/month (quarterly plan)

Minoxidil (generic Rogaine)

• $16/month (quarterly plan)

Valacyclovir (generic Valtrex)

• Treatment for three outbreaks (1,000-milligram dose) $42 every three months
• Treatment for six outbreaks (1,000-milligram dose) $60 every three months
• Preventative treatment (500 milligrams daily) $87 every three months
• Preventative treatment (1,000 milligrams daily) $144 every three months

Roman Daily (men’s multivitamin)

• $35 per month (month-to-month)
• $29 per month (quarterly plan)

Testosterone Support (daily supplement)

• $35 per month (month-to-month)
• $29 per month (quarterly plan)

Prostate Health (daily supplement)

• $35 per month (month-to-month)
• $29 per month (quarterly plan)

Triamcinolone 0.1% cream

• $15 per month (quarterly plan)

Drysol® aluminum chloride 20%, 60ml (topical solution)

• $13 per month for a quarterly plan

LATISSE (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%

• Monthly plan (three milliliters, one-month supply) $110
• Quarterly plan (five milliliters, three-month supply) $159

Custom RX Treatment (personalized skincare formula)

• $29 per month (bimonthly plan)

Enriching Cream

• $8 per month

Upneeq®

• Quarterly plan (90 vials) $495
• Monthly plan (30 vials) $199

Women's Oral Minoxidil

• $30 per month (quarterly plan)

Ro Privacy

As a medical platform, Ro takes your privacy very seriously. The platform complies with all applicable privacy laws, and it says it has implemented a variety of technical and organizational security measures to keep your information safe. It uses cookies for tracking and doesn't recognize Do Not Track signals from any browser.

As a telehealth provider, it allows you the opportunity to reject selling your information to third parties. And, if you’re prescribed a specific treatment, your medications arrive in discreet, unmarked packaging—not giving away what's inside.

Ro Doctor Consultation

Every Ro treatment that requires a prescription involves a doctor consultation to get you started. Your consultation is included with your monthly medication subscription, so you won’t have any surprise fees when you need to speak with a doctor. The only exception is the weight loss program, which requires a separate monthly fee, as well as payment for your labs and medication.

After your visit, you’ll be able to follow up with your providers by messaging them through the Ro app.

With many of the treatments, your first visit is completely virtual. You’ll answer a variety of questions, upload photos of yourself, upload a copy of your identification and share blood pressure readings from the last six months, and a doctor will review your information and get back to you.

Some services, including the weight loss program, do require a telehealth visit, but many of the common medications, like hair loss and ED treatments, generally won’t require a face-to-face call or chat.

Possible Ro Side Effects

Ro sells FDA-approved treatments for a variety of conditions. While FDA approval means these medications are generally safe, as with anything, there’s a slight chance you may experience side effects.

For ED medications like Viagra and Cialis, which may impact your blood pressure, common side effects include dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, nausea, flushing and diarrhea. With topical hair loss treatments, common side effects include acne at the site of application, inflammation or burning of the scalp.

If you qualify for the medical weight loss program, weight loss drugs like semaglutide can cause side effects such as nausea, bloating and indigestion.

In the event any of these side effects occur, be sure to contact your physician right away.

Who Ro Is Best For

Ro is best for men suffering from common health concerns, including sexual function, hair loss, skin issues and weight management.

"If you're losing more than the average number of hairs a day (around 100), it's recommended to consult a doctor," says Chacon. "Additionally, if erectile dysfunction persists for more than a few weeks or is causing stress or relationship issue, it might be time to seek medical advice."

Ro is also a great option for those who need to receive care without leaving home. "Telehealth is helpful if you're busy, far from medical centers or need specific treatments," says Dasgupta.

Who Ro Is NOT Best For

While Ro does sell fertility vitamins, pregnancy tests and fertility tests, its primary audience is men, and there are better resources for women.

Ro also isn't the best option for those who want to use insurance for their medication. The brand doesn’t accept insurance, though it'll try to help you work with your insurance if you need weight loss drugs. Anyone looking for insurance to cover their prescriptions will have to work with a doctor in their network, as most of Ro’s prescriptions are paid for out of pocket.

About Ro

Ro was founded in 2017 to bring telehealth services to the mainstream. The brand specializes in men's health issues, Ro treats erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, hair loss and various skin conditions, and also has a weight management program.

Every medical professional at Ro is a licensed healthcare provider, and the company is led by a medical advisory board that includes a former Surgeon General, world-renowned clinical directors and medical leaders in fields including psychology, relationship counseling, men's health, sexual health, neurology, pulmonology, male infertility, addiction, urology, pathology and family medicine.

Ro Customer Reviews

While Ro has a high reputation, it does occasionally have unhappy customers. The Better Business Bureau gives the company an average rating of 1.36/5 stars; however, the reviews are very limited, which bring down the score quickly. Some users mention experiencing delays with medication shipping time, as well as being charged for automatic renewal without a warning.

With a 4.3/5-star rating on Trustpilot, customer reviews praise quick responses from customer service and the simplicity of the signup process.

It seems like most users are likely to have a positive experience, but you may experience delays if you need your medication right away.

Ro vs. Hims

Ro and Hims offer virtual men’s health care, with medications shipped directly to your doorstep.

Both companies provide services that treat sexual health, skin concerns, hair loss and premature ejaculation, but Hims also offers mental health treatment and anti-anxiety medication, along with allergy treatments. Hims also offers a spray for premature ejaculation, while Ro offers only wipes.

Ro doesn’t offer mental health treatment, but it offers weight loss counseling and access to a team that can support your weight loss journey and prescribe drugs when needed.

Related Post: Hims vs. Keeps: Which Hair Growth Subscription Service is Right for You?

The pricing is nearly identical, with most products being within a few dollars of each other, so it’s best to choose based on whether or not you would like access to mental health or weight loss treatment.

Ro FAQs

Is Ro a reliable website?

Yes, we think so. The Ro website is run by a team of licensed health professionals, and they only prescribe FDA-approved medications. The company claims to have millions of customers with a 95 percent satisfaction rating, which is quite high for such a large company. With many treatment options for a variety of conditions, it seems like a dependable source of healthcare.

Does Ro prescribe real Viagra?

Yes, Ro prescribes real sildenafil, offering both the brand name Viagra and a more affordable generic version. The medications are shipped to you from an approved pharmacy.

How long does it take for Ro medications to work?

This depends on the medication. Medicines like Viagra or Cialis can start to work within 30 minutes. Other medications, like finasteride or minoxidil for hair loss, may take several months before you notice results. "Minoxidil is a vasodilator that stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth," explains Chacon, but in order to see noticeable results, Ro's hair loss treatment plan requires a three-month commitment.

How often can you take Ro ED treatments?

The typical dose is once per day, taken as needed. It’s generally not recommended to take more than one dose per day, but if you work with Ro, you’ll have access to a licensed healthcare professional who can assess your situation and provide personalized guidance and advice.

Takeaway: Is Ro Worth It?

If you have a health concern Ro can help manage or treat, and you like the idea of telehealth, then yes, Ro is worth trying out. Everyone has a different budget, and Ro discloses its prices ahead of time, so you can determine for yourself whether it makes sense financially.

As long as Ro products or services fit your budget, the convenience of having a healthcare provider at your fingertips through the Ro app, with prescriptions delivered straight to your door, is well worth the cost. For some, this may be the most convenient, affordable option on the market to receive quality healthcare from home.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.