The Short Version
Getting ED medication online takes about 10-15 minutes. You'll answer a health questionnaire, a licensed provider reviews it, and if appropriate, they'll send a prescription to your pharmacy or ship medication directly to you. No video call required in most cases.
Erectile dysfunction affects over 30 million men in the United States—and one of the biggest barriers to treatment isn't the condition itself, but the embarrassment of talking about it face-to-face. Online consultations have changed that, making it possible to get legitimate, FDA-approved medication without ever stepping into a doctor's office.
If you've been putting off getting help because you dread the awkward conversation, here's exactly what happens when you start an online ED consultation—step by step.
The Process: What Actually Happens
Step-by-Step Overview
Create an Account
Basic info: name, email, date of birth, shipping address. Takes about 2 minutes.
Complete Health Questionnaire
Answer questions about your symptoms, medical history, and current medications. This is how the provider evaluates if ED medication is safe for you.
Provider Review
A licensed healthcare provider reviews your answers. This can take minutes to hours depending on the platform. Some offer 24/7 reviews.
Prescription Issued (If Appropriate)
If you're a good candidate, the provider writes a prescription. If not, they'll explain why and may recommend alternatives or in-person evaluation.
Get Your Medication
Either shipped to your door in discreet packaging, or sent electronically to your local pharmacy for pickup.
The Health Questionnaire: What They'll Ask
The questionnaire is the heart of the online consultation. It replaces the conversation you'd have with a doctor in person. Here's what to expect:
About Your ED Symptoms
You'll be asked about the nature and severity of your erectile difficulties. Typical questions include how often you have trouble getting or maintaining an erection, how long this has been happening, and whether it happens in all situations or only certain ones (like with a partner versus during masturbation).
Your Medical History
This is crucial for safety. ED medications (PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil and tadalafil) are safe for most men but are contraindicated with certain conditions. You'll be asked about heart disease or history of heart attack/stroke, blood pressure (high or low), medications you're currently taking (especially nitrates, which are absolutely contraindicated), diabetes, kidney or liver problems, and any history of priapism (prolonged erection).
Lifestyle Questions
Some platforms ask about alcohol use, smoking, drug use, and stress levels—all of which can contribute to ED and inform treatment recommendations.
Be Honest
The questionnaire only works if you answer truthfully. The provider can't physically examine you, so they're relying entirely on your answers to determine if treatment is safe.
If you have a condition that makes ED medication risky and you don't disclose it, you're putting yourself in danger. The providers aren't there to judge you—they're there to help you safely.
Do You Need a Video Call?
In most cases, no. The majority of online ED consultations are "asynchronous"—meaning you complete the questionnaire and a provider reviews it later, without a real-time conversation. This is actually a benefit for many men who find the text-based format less intimidating.
However, there are situations where a video or phone call may be required. Some states have telehealth regulations that require synchronous (real-time) consultations for certain prescriptions. If your answers raise questions or concerns, the provider may request a call to clarify. Some platforms simply prefer video consultations as standard practice.
If you're uncomfortable with video calls, check the platform's process before starting. Many specifically advertise "no video required" consultations.
What If You're Not Approved?
Not everyone gets a prescription. A reputable platform will decline to prescribe if your answers indicate contraindications or if you need further evaluation. This isn't a failure—it's the system working correctly.
Common reasons for not being approved include current use of nitrates (heart medication), recent heart attack or stroke, very low blood pressure, or answers suggesting your ED might have a specific underlying cause that needs in-person evaluation (like complete inability to get any erection, which could indicate nerve damage).
If you're not approved, the provider should explain why and recommend next steps—often suggesting you see a primary care doctor or urologist for further testing.
Costs: What to Expect
Online ED consultation costs vary widely. Here's the general landscape:
Typical Cost Structure
Many platforms include the consultation fee in their subscription price or waive it entirely.
Some platforms operate on a subscription model (monthly fee includes consultation, medication, and shipping), while others charge separately for each component. The subscription model is often more economical if you're planning ongoing treatment.
How to Choose a Platform
Not all online ED services are created equal. Here's what to look for:
Legitimacy Indicators
Make sure the platform uses licensed healthcare providers (should be clearly stated), requires a health questionnaire (if they'll prescribe without asking questions, that's a red flag), is based in the US and ships from US pharmacies, and has clear contact information and customer support.
Red Flags to Avoid
Stay away from sites that offer prescription medication without any consultation, that aren't based in the US or ship from overseas, that have no clear information about their providers, or that offer prices that seem too good to be true.
When Online Isn't Enough
Online consultations work well for straightforward ED, but some situations require in-person care. Seek in-person evaluation if you have complete inability to get any erection (could indicate nerve damage), ED accompanied by pain or physical abnormality, symptoms that started suddenly after an injury, or if you've already tried ED medication with no success.
Online consultations also can't order advanced testing like hormone panels, ultrasounds, or sleep studies that might be needed for complex cases.
Ready to Get Started?
These platforms offer straightforward online consultations with licensed providers, FDA-approved medications, and discreet shipping.
Free online consultation • Discreet packaging • Cancel anytime
The Bottom Line
Online ED consultations have made getting treatment dramatically easier—and there's nothing sketchy about them when you use reputable platforms. You'll answer a questionnaire, a licensed provider reviews it, and if you're a good candidate, you get a prescription.
The process takes 10-15 minutes, rarely requires a video call, and medication can be shipped directly to your door or sent to your local pharmacy. For most men with straightforward ED, there's no longer any reason to put off treatment because of embarrassment about seeing a doctor in person.
If you've been suffering in silence, the barrier to getting help has never been lower.