A healthy sex life can be an important component of overall mental health. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition, affecting about 30 million U.S. men*. ED does more than just impact physical capabilities; it deeply influences mental health, contributing to feelings of anxiety, depression, and diminished self-esteem.
Rex MD offers a streamlined, discreet avenue for obtaining ED treatment online—though it’s always best to see your doctor first to rule out related medical issues and fully understand how these treatments could affect you. By providing access to licensed health care professionals and personalized prescription medication plans without the need for an in-office visit, Rex MD aims to alleviate the stress and stigma often associated with seeking help for ED. Whether you feel uncomfortable speaking to a provider in person or you simply live far away from a doctor’s office, telehealth ED care can reduce barriers to health care and foster a sense of empowerment among patients.
Although the causes of ED may be complicated, successful treatment is possible. Judy Scheel, a psychotherapist specializing in sexual and intimacy issues, explains, “Our bodies often convey through symptoms what we have difficulty articulating in our hearts and minds; be patient with yourself, be curious about the cause, have realistic expectations about medicine, understand that communication with a partner often helps the person with the ED to feel less pressure, shame and expectation and judgment.”
Our October 2023 survey of 360 men who sought ED treatment from online providers like Rex MD found that most patients report improvement in overall mental health and self-esteem after initiating treatment. Let’s take a look at exactly what is involved with utilizing Rex MD’s telehealth ED treatment services.
*For brevity, we refer to all people assigned male at birth as men throughout this guide.
Rex MD overview
Insights from our testers
Rex MD is an easy-to-use telehealth platform for ED treatment. It offers two medications: sildenafil (generic Viagra) or tadalafil (generic Cialis). There is no difference in the contents of the generic and brand-name option medications. Sildenafil is offered in 50- or 100mg single-dose tablets, and tadalafil is offered in 10- or 20mg single-dose tablets or 2.5- or 5mg daily-dose tablets. The choice between the two medications will depend on your medical history and preferences.
Sildenafil is fast-acting, taking 30–60 minutes to take effect and lasting four to six hours. It should be taken on an empty stomach. Tadalafil is slower-acting, taking one to two hours, but it is effective for longer (around 36 hours) and can be taken with or without food. If you plan on engaging in more spontaneous sexual activity, you may take a daily low dose of tadalafil.
Here’s a breakdown of the ordering process with Rex MD:
- Sign up and questionnaire.
The journey begins with a simple signup process on the Rex MD website, where you fill out a detailed health questionnaire consisting of 32 questions. Towards the end of the questionnaire, you indicate which medication and dose you prefer.
Our tester flagged a few possible concerns with the intake questionnaire. Proof of identity or age isn’t required (unlike other online medication suppliers like Lemonaid Health), so prescriptions can possibly go to unapproved patients. Also, you are asked if your blood pressure is low, normal, high, or very high rather than having to provide the numerical reading. This means that patients may not obtain real, recent blood pressure readings, which could be dangerous because these medications are high-risk for those with higher blood pressure.
- Provider review and medication shipment.
Depending on your state’s laws, a provider will review your answers and immediately provide a prescription or request a phone or video consultation. In Colorado, we were given a prescription right away. Shipping is free and takes only two days. The packaging is discreet, consisting of brown cardboard with no labeling. The shipping is notable because our survey found that discreet packaging is one of the most important factors in determining which online medication supplier to use.
- Ongoing care and future prescriptions.
After the first order, you are automatically put on a recurring shipping schedule every one, three, six, or 12 months, depending on the time frame and amount you selected during the questionnaire. Some users may find this convenient, while others may prefer to place subsequent orders when needed and not be tied to a subscription. While we wish that there was an “as-needed” service to select, you may cancel or delay your subscription at any time by calling Rex MD or messaging the patient portal.
Free follow-up care is available through the patient portal. We found that Rex MD providers efficiently and thoroughly answer patient questions. Yearly consultations are required to reevaluate your medical history and medication needs to determine if your prescription is still right for you.
Overall, our tester found their experience with Rex MD overwhelmingly positive. The service destigmatizes seeking help for ED, providing a solution that is both accessible and reliable. The convenience of having consultations and receiving medication without leaving home, combined with the discreet and professional nature of the service, makes Rex MD a good option for anyone seeking support for erectile dysfunction.
We caution that streamlined online medical services like Rex MD may miss other serious health conditions because no physical exam is required. You are also not as likely to develop a close relationship with your provider, especially if no phone or video consultation is conducted.
“In a perfect world, people would have access to in-person care. Although telehealth has created tremendous opportunities for people, it can also increase detachment from actual relationships. A condition as sensitive as ED would likely benefit from the initial appointment bedding in person so that the prescribing practitioner can get to know the patient, make a proper assessment, and perhaps, most importantly, make a connection,” explains Scheel.
Whether you decide to seek ED meditation in person or through an online platform comes down to personal preference and comfort level. Those with more complicated medical histories may want to consider in-person care, at least for the initial consultation.
What other users are saying
Rex MD is the fifth most popular online ED treatment platform our October 2023 survey respondents tried, with Hims and GoodRx being the most popular. Most men we spoke with are pleased with their experience with telehealth ED medication providers like Rex MD—over 76 percent of respondents are “very satisfied” with their experience
Many men wish they had not waited so long to seek care. In October 2023, we conducted a focus group of men who had used online telehealth services for ED medication. One told us, “I thought something was wrong with me that shouldn’t be. I was embarrassed to even talk about it with my primary care physician, which, in hindsight, is crazy. There was a stigma associated with this thing that I definitely didn’t want anybody else to know.”
HelpGuide Handbook’s erectile dysfunction testing methodology
The Handbook Team has tested 26 telehealth platforms that offer prescription medication for erectile dysfunction. Our team acts as mystery shoppers to compare each platform’s screening process, navigation, cost, delivery time, and restrictions. Our testers complete the sign-up process, fill out questionnaires, click through all educational information, and note available medications and dosages.
To learn about what happens after someone submits their information to a provider, our team has surveyed 360 men who have gotten erectile dysfunction medication online. The team also holds multiple focus groups with real users to get more candid responses about the effects of erectile dysfunction treatment.
To learn more about how we review ED medication platforms and treatments, read our full erectile dysfunction methodology.
The Handbook
If you learn five things about Rex MD for erectile dysfunction treatment, here’s what you should know:
Offers generic Viagra (sildenafil) and generic Cialis (tadalafil).
No consultation fees.
Free two-day shipping in discreet packaging.
Available in all 50 U.S. states.
From $1.80 per pill (for daily tadalafil) to up to $10 per pill (for single-dose pills) with a price-match guarantee.
Compare Rex MD with other online ED platforms
| Provider | Types of medication available | Cost of consultation | Cost of medication | Insurance accepted? | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil (50mg or 100mg), tadalafil (10mg or 20mg), tadalafil daily (2.5mg or 5mg) | Free | $6–$10/pill for single-dose meds (regardless of strength) $1.80–$3/pill for daily-dose tadalafil (regardless of strength) | No | Visit Site | |
| Sildenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil | Free | $1.33–$53 per pill | No | Visit Site | |
| Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil | Free | $.50–$37.10 per pill | No | Visit Site | |
| Sildenafil (20mg or 50mg) and tadalafil (10mg) | $25 | $2–$22 per pill | No | Visit Site | |
| Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil | $129 | Depends on membership | Yes | Visit Site |
Rex MD cost and payment options
Cost
Rex MD currently only offers the generic versions of Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). The cost is determined by the amount purchased. Orders automatically renew in the timeframe chosen at the time of purchase (one, three, six, or 12 months). You can cancel your subscription anytime by calling or messaging through the patient portal.
For single-dose sildenafil (50mg or 100mg) and tadalafil (10mg or 20mg), the cost is:
- $6 per pill for 72 tablets every 12 months.
- $8 per pill for 36 tablets every six months.
- $8.50 per pill for 18 tablets every three months.
- $10 per pill for six tablets every month.
For daily-dose tadalafil (2.5mg or 5mg), the cost is:
- $1.80 per pill for 360 tablets every 12 months.
- $2.40 per pill for 180 tablets every six months.
- $2.91 per pill for 90 tablets every three months.
- $3 per pill for 30 tablets every month.
Payment options
As with most telehealth ED medication providers, Rex MD does not accept insurance. Payment is accepted through PayPal, Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, or an HSA/FSA card. If you’re looking for an online ED treatment platform that accepts insurance, try PlushCare.
Our final verdict
Rex MD can offer a convenient solution for men seeking ED treatment, integrating the ease of online consultations with the reliability of direct, straight-to-your-door shipments. Our Handbook Team likes that a licensed medical professional reviews your medical history before providing a prescription but warns that the lack of a physical exam may lead to missed medical concerns or connection between patient and caregiver. The subscription model eliminates the need to reorder medication manually, but some individuals may prefer receiving their medication as needed instead of recurring shipments. Overall, we think Rex MD can be a good option for men seeking a discreet and convenient approach to managing ED.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Rex MD operates on a subscription model, allowing customers to receive their ED medications on a regular basis. You can cancel or delay your subscription at any time by calling or logging in to the patient portal.
Yes, a prescription is necessary to use Rex MD. The service includes an initial consultation with a licensed health care professional who evaluates your medical history to determine the most suitable treatment plan. If medication is deemed appropriate for your situation, a prescription will be issued, which Rex MD can fulfill.
Rex MD is a legitimate telehealth service specializing in the treatment of ED. It connects patients with licensed health care professionals in their state, offering a legal and safe pathway to obtain ED medications.
Rex MD provides access to two popular FDA-approved ED medications: generic Viagra (sildenafil) and generic Cialis (tadalafil).
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.) Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Link
- Quang, N., Van Truong, L., Chung, E., Van Quang, B., Quang Long, L., Thanh Ngoc, N., Anh Minh, N., Mai Anh, D., Nguyen Dinh Thanh, N., & Truong Nam, N. Predicting Anxiety and Depression Among Erectile Dysfunction Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. American Journal of Men’s Health. (2024; January). 18(1). Link
- HelpGuide Erectile Dysfunction Survey. 360 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched Oct. 26, 2023.