Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than half of all men and occurs for a variety of reasons—including performance anxiety and poor cardiovascular health—but remains highly treatable. Still, some people avoid talking to their doctor about erectile dysfunction treatment. Delaying this discussion can lead to low self-esteem, increased anxiety and depression, and strained relationships with romantic partners.
Sexual activity is a very important part of most romantic relationships. When there’s an issue with erections, that affects a couple’s ability to relate to one another. That can cause not only tension within the relationship but also depression and anxiety.
Fenwa Milhouse, urologist and CEO of Down There Urology in Chicago
Fortunately, telehealth platforms like Lemonaid Health make ED diagnosis and treatment more approachable and accessible. Unless your state’s telehealth laws require a phone or video consultation, all you have to do is fill out an online questionnaire detailing your medical history. In some states, such as Iowa and Vermont, you will also need to have a call or video conference with your provider. An online doctor reviews your answers within hours or days (depending on the platform) to ensure you’re a good candidate for oral ED medications before writing the prescription.
Lemonaid Health was the third most popular ED medication platform among the 360 men who responded to our erectile dysfunction survey, so we took a closer look at its cost, policies, and ED screening process. It has a straightforward sign-up process but charges a consultation fee and has higher medication prices than other online ED platforms. That said, Lemonaid Health may be a good choice if you use the brand’s other telehealth services to manage everything in one place.
Why HelpGuide cares about sexual wellness
Four out of 10 men in their 40s experience erectile dysfunction (ED), and it becomes more common with age. That means a large number of men don’t feel satisfied with their sexual performance. We know this can lead to performance anxiety, less intimacy, tension in a partnered relationship, low self-esteem, depression, increased stress, and even increased absenteeism at work.
“All of these things have been described in patients that I’ve seen and treated with erectile dysfunction,” says Fenwa Milhouse, a board-certified urologist and CEO of Down There Urology. “Feeling less of a man, feeling less worthy, feeling less like an individual and the person they once were.”
But, there’s nothing to be ashamed about—and you’re certainly not alone. The Handbook Team wants to shed light on this topic and help you feel comfortable addressing this highly treatable issue. Ignoring erectile dysfunction means ignoring the impact on your physical and mental health—and the ED may only get worse.
The relationship between these mental health conditions and ED can be cyclical. ED can be a source of considerable anxiety and stress for individuals, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle where the fear of experiencing ED again exacerbates the problem.
Rhiannon John, certified sexologist
Luckily, oral medications for ED, such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil), are now available in generic forms, making erectile dysfunction treatment far more affordable than it was even five or six years ago. The recent increased popularity of online telehealth platforms also means you can request a prescription for ED medication without having to visit a doctor or pharmacy in person. This is a solution for people who may feel embarrassed discussing their sexual health with a doctor or collecting this prescription at the pharmacy, and it’s also safer than turning to “gas station” remedies. These are unregulated supplements often found in dispensers inside the bathrooms of gas stations, and they have been known to contain hidden ingredients.
But not all of these platforms use the same screening process, charge the same prices, or let you directly message your provider. We don’t want you to feel frustrated by low-quality platforms or misled by false information on the internet.
That’s why we interviewed more than 20 urologists, sexologists, pharmacists, and psychologists, ran a focus group, mystery shopped at over 25 online ED medication platforms, read dozens of academic journal articles, and surveyed 360 real people about their experiences with erectile dysfunction. We got really comfortable with this topic and encourage you to do the same by reading our guides and reviews.
Learn more about our erectile dysfunction review methodology.
HelpGuide Handbook for Lemonaid Health erectile dysfunction medication platform
If you only learn five things about Lemonaid Health for ED treatment, here’s what you need to know:
Choose from generic Viagra or generic Cialis.
Must be 25–72 years old.
Provider reviews your request within 24 hours.
No need for a face-to-face appointment in most states.
$2–$44 per pill.
Our testing experience
Lemonaid Health is one of 26 telehealth platforms we tested that offer prescription medication for erectile dysfunction. Our team acted as mystery shoppers to compare each platform’s screening process, navigation, cost, delivery time, and restrictions. Our testers completed the sign-up process, filled out questionnaires, clicked through all educational information, and noted available medications and dosages.
To learn about what happens after someone submits their information to a provider on Lemonaid Health and similar platforms, our team surveyed 360 men who have gotten erectile dysfunction medication online. The team also ran 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.
Pros and cons of Lemonaid Health for erectile dysfunction medication
What we like about Lemonaid Health
- Offers generic medications.
- Up to three refills shipped at a time.
- 11 refills before another consultation is required.
- Discreet shipping packages.
- Treatments are available for more than ED.
From our survey
Lemonaid Health was the third most popular online ED medication platform among our 360 survey respondents, beaten only by Hims and GoodRx.
What we don’t like about Lemonaid Health
- Must pay for a consultation.
- Doesn’t accept health insurance.
- The cost of tadalafil (generic Cialis) is higher than some competitors.
- Limited education is provided throughout the buying process.
- Lists sildenafil and generic Viagra as two separate options with two different price points despite being the same thing.
- No response to our in-platform messages.
What is the process like to get medication from Lemonaid Health?
Requesting erectile dysfunction medication through Lemonaid Health is relatively straightforward.
- Choose the medication and dosage you’re interested in.
- Enter your zip code, sex assigned at birth, and birth date.
- Answer some questions about your erectile dysfunction and overall health.
- Upload photo ID and selfie.
- Sign up for an account.
- Checkout.
- Wait 24 hours for a phone call or video chat to be scheduled with a provider (if your state requires it).
- Receive medication in the mail within 2–3 business days of approval.
From our survey
Eighty-two percent of the Lemonaid Health users who answered our survey said it was somewhat easy or very easy to receive ED treatment through the platform.
Lemonaid Health lets you choose your medication and dose but doesn’t necessarily explain the differences between each option. The provider who approves your prescription may adjust the dose or medication if they spot any red flags in your questionnaire. Still, some people may prefer a platform where you consult a health care provider before choosing your medication.
The questionnaire asks fewer questions about your erectile dysfunction than other platforms, which may make it difficult for your provider to track the medication’s effectiveness. You also don’t get warned if your questionnaire answers indicate you may not be a good candidate for oral ED treatment. This is a missed opportunity to educate people about the health risks associated with oral treatments for ED. We like to see platforms explain the intention behind each question.
Warning
Erectile dysfunction can be one of the first signs of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Even if you feel healthy in every other way, schedule a physical exam to get screened.
On the other hand, the system immediately tells you if your zip code, sex assigned at birth, or date of birth disqualifies you for their erectile dysfunction service. Lemonaid Health requires people interested in ED medication to be between 25 and 72 years old and assigned male at birth. Due to state telemedicine regulations, you can’t receive ED medications from Lemonaid if you live in Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Carolina. We appreciate that the platform is upfront about these qualifications so you don’t end up providing your personal details to a service you can’t use.
What ED medications does Lemonaid Health offer?
On its erectile dysfunction homepage, Lemonaid Health advertises that it can prescribe three medications: sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. But when our tester went through the buying process, only sildenafil and tadalafil were actually available.
Sildenafil is the generic form of Viagra, the first FDA-approved erectile dysfunction medication. Lemonaid Health doesn’t offer name-brand Viagra, but there’s no difference between sildenafil and Viagra other than cost, with sildenafil being the more affordable option. Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, which means it helps an erection last longer but doesn’t cause spontaneous erections or increase feelings of arousal.
The effects of sildenafil kick in after about 30–60 minutes and last at least four hours for most people, so it’s best to take this pill shortly before you plan to have sex. However, it’s not as effective on a full stomach, so it may be difficult to take in the evening after a dinner date. You shouldn’t take sildenafil more than once every 24 hours.
Learn more about how generic Viagra works, possible side effects, and contraindications in our complete guide to sildenafil.
Viagra has the most side effects [of oral ED medications], so a lot of people don’t tolerate it. The classic side effects are headache, blurred or blue vision, heartburn, and facial flushing.
Michael Werner, urologist at Maze Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Manhattan
Tadalafil is the generic name for Cialis, a PDE5 inhibitor similar to Viagra. Tadalafil stays in the body for up to 36 hours, which makes it more suitable for people who tend to have spontaneous sex or engage in sex more than once a day. It’s also fine to take on a full stomach.
Tadalafil is a good choice if you experience the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) or chronic pelvic pain. It also helps some people to fully and efficiently empty their bladder.
Cialis is available from Lemonaid Health in 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, and 20 mg pills. The 5 mg dose is taken daily, whereas the 10 and 20 mg doses are taken one to two hours before sex. Many prescribers start their patients with 10 mg of tadalafil and boost up to 20 mg if erectile dysfunction is still present, as long as no bothersome side effects occur with the lower dose.
To make an informed decision about dosing, read our complete guide to tadalafil.
From our expert
“Generally, tadalafil starts working as quickly as 30 minutes, but it may take up to one to two hours for it to be most effective. The effects of the medication can last for up to 36 hours and, therefore, can help those taking it get an erection at any point during that time.” — Monica Amin, pharmacist at Marley Drug
Key features of Lemonaid Health
Standard features
Here are the standard features you can expect from Lemonaid Health:
Discreet packaging.
Free 2–3 day shipping.
$25 consultation fee.
Up to 11 refills per consultation.
Customizable features
- Sildenafil (generic Viagra) vs. tadalafil (generic Cialis).
- Daily vs. as-needed doses.
- Live consultations vs. in-platform messaging.
How much does Lemonaid Health cost for ED medication?
Lemonaid Health charges $2–$15 per pill for sildenafil and $8–$44 for tadalafil. The final cost depends on the milligram dosage and how many monthly pills you get. You can get a 30-day supply of the medications at their lowest dose to take daily or 10 pills per refill of the higher doses to take as needed.
| Medication and dose | Cost | Pills per refill | How to take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil 20 mg | $60 | 30 | Daily |
| Sildenafil 50 mg | $100 | 10 | As needed |
| Sildenafil 100 mg | $150 | 10 | As needed |
| Tadalafil 5 mg | $240 | 30 | Daily |
| Tadalafil 10 mg | $220 | 10 | As needed |
| Tadalafil 20 mg | $440 | 10 | As needed |
Consultations on Lemonaid Health cost $25 and are required when you first sign up and after every 11 refills. Standard shipping is free. There’s no additional monthly fee to use Lemonaid Health for erectile dysfunction treatment.
Compare the best erectile dysfunction medication platforms of 2024
Lemonaid Health charges high prices compared to other online platforms and pharmacies selling erectile dysfunction medication. Tadalafil (generic Cialis) can be purchased for a lower cost through Hims or Blink Health. Only the cost of 20 mg daily sildenafil (generic Viagra) is more affordable through Lemonaid Health than other telemedicine sites.
If affordability is your main concern, skip the online diagnosis platforms and visit your general practitioner or urologist. Every medical professional we spoke with said their patients can fill prescriptions at local or online pharmacies for a fraction of the cost of online telehealth services. You mostly pay for convenience when using Lemonaid Health and similar platforms.
Our final verdict
As long as you meet its age and residency requirements, Lemonaid Health is an easy-to-use telehealth platform for erectile dysfunction diagnosis and medication. It can be more expensive than other platforms, thanks to a $25 consultation fee and higher-priced pills, especially generic Cialis. But because Lemonaid offers more health services than just erectile dysfunction treatment, it can be useful for organizing your telehealth communications, prescriptions, and subscriptions all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Lemonaid Health prescribes tadalafil (generic Cialis) and sildenafil (generic Viagra) for erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction treatments cost $2–$44 per pill through Lemonaid Health. There’s also a $25 consultation fee.
A consultation for erectile dysfunction costs $25 through Lemonaid Health.
No, Lemonaid Health doesn’t work with insurance companies.
Lemonaid Health provides online health care services for over two dozen health issues. You can talk to a provider about general health conditions like high blood pressure, acid reflux, sinus infection, high cholesterol, genital herpes, cold sores, acne, and dark spots on the skin, or request lab tests for STDs, A1C blood sugar, or cholesterol.
Women’s health services from Lemonaid include birth control, morning-after pills, and meds for UTIs and hot flashes. Men can also get help with premature ejaculation and hair loss.
The Lemonaid Health medical team also offers mental health services, but this is limited to prescription medications like antidepressants and does not include online therapy.
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