Hone Health is a telehealth platform that provides at-home hormone testing and prescriptions for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), ED medications like Tadalafil and Sildenafil, and weight loss treatments. Their model combines convenience with recurring medication delivery.

How much does Hone Health cost?

Hone Health charges approximately $65 for initial intake and bloodwork, plus monthly membership fees ranging from $25-149 depending on the plan. Medications are additional, typically $25-130 per month. Annual costs can range from $600 to $3,000+ depending on treatments prescribed.

What are the alternatives to Hone Health?

Alternatives include other telehealth hormone clinics (Ro, Vault, Marek Health), traditional endocrinologists, and root-cause approaches that focus on vascular or metabolic optimization rather than hormone replacement or ED medication.

Can ED be addressed without medication?

For some men, ED has a significant vascular component. When endothelial dysfunction limits blood flow, addressing the underlying vascular health may support erectile function without ongoing medication. This approach focuses on nitric oxide production and glycocalyx health.

What is the difference between symptom treatment and root-cause approaches?

Symptom treatment (like ED pills) provides temporary relief while the medication is active. Root-cause approaches attempt to address the underlying dysfunction, whether vascular, hormonal, or metabolic, so the body functions better on its own.

Hone Health Alternatives: Medication vs. Root-Cause Approaches

Hone Health has made telehealth testosterone and ED medication accessible, but medication isn't the only path. Here's how to evaluate whether symptom treatment or a root-cause approach fits your goals.

Last updated: February 2, 2026

What Hone Health Offers

Hone Health is a direct-to-consumer telehealth platform that provides at-home hormone testing and prescriptions for testosterone replacement therapy, ED medications (Tadalafil, Sildenafil), and weight loss treatments. Their model emphasizes convenience: order a test kit, get results, consult a provider via video, receive medications by mail.

For men seeking quick access to these treatments without visiting a clinic, the model works. The question is whether the treatment addresses what's actually driving your symptoms.

Understanding the Two Approaches

Symptom Treatment (Medication-Based)

ED medications like Tadalafil work by inhibiting PDE5, an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. This allows blood vessels to dilate more easily, improving blood flow while the medication is active. The effect is temporary. When the drug clears your system, the underlying vascular state remains unchanged.

Similarly, testosterone replacement addresses low hormone levels by providing exogenous testosterone. This can improve symptoms associated with hypogonadism, but it does not address why testosterone dropped in the first place, and it typically requires ongoing use.

Root-Cause Approaches (Function-Based)

A different philosophy asks: why is blood flow restricted? Why is testosterone low? If endothelial dysfunction is limiting nitric oxide production, or if the glycocalyx (the protective lining of blood vessels) is degraded, these structural issues may be driving the symptoms.

Root-cause approaches attempt to support these underlying systems so the body functions better on its own, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for ongoing medication.

Comparing the Paths

Factor	Medication Approach	Root-Cause Approach
Timeline	Immediate symptom relief	Weeks to months for systemic improvement
Duration	Ongoing (lifelong for TRT)	Finite protocol with maintenance option
Dependency	Creates dependency on medication	Aims to reduce dependency over time
What it addresses	Symptom (ED, low T levels)	Underlying vascular/metabolic function
Testing	Hormone panel, PSA	Vascular biomarkers (ADMA, ApoB, etc.)

Who Benefits from Each Approach

Medication may be appropriate if:

You need immediate symptom relief
You've confirmed genuine hormone deficiency through comprehensive testing
You're comfortable with ongoing medication use
You've already addressed vascular health and still have symptoms

A root-cause approach may be appropriate if:

You suspect vascular factors may be contributing to your symptoms
You prefer to avoid lifelong medication if possible
You've tried ED pills and found they work "too well" (suggesting vascular limitation)
You have other signs of vascular dysfunction (brain fog, fatigue, cold extremities)
Your labs came back "normal" but you still don't feel right

The GRN Vascular Approach

The GRN Protocol focuses on supporting vascular function through targeted biomarker assessment and a 12-week optimization program. Rather than prescribing medication, we focus on the endothelial layer and glycocalyx, the structures that determine how well blood flows to every organ.

This includes advanced testing beyond standard hormone panels (ADMA, ApoB, homocysteine), a targeted supplement protocol, and bi-weekly data reviews to track progress.

Learn why ED, brain fog, and fatigue often share the same root cause.

The Complementary Perspective

These approaches aren't always mutually exclusive. Some men benefit from short-term medication use while working on underlying vascular health. Others discover that addressing vascular function reduces their need for medication over time.

The key is understanding what's actually driving your symptoms before committing to a particular path. Jumping straight to medication without investigating root causes may mean treating the wrong problem, or treating a symptom while the underlying issue continues to progress.

Common Questions

Can ED be addressed without pills?

For some men, yes. When ED has a vascular component, meaning blood flow is restricted due to endothelial dysfunction, supporting vascular health may improve erectile function without ongoing medication. This works best when the underlying issue is vascular rather than purely hormonal or psychological.

What if I'm already on Hone or similar?

You can explore vascular optimization while continuing current treatments. Many men find that as vascular function improves, their response to medication changes, sometimes requiring lower doses. Work with your prescribing provider on any medication adjustments.

How do I know if my issue is vascular?

Signs of vascular involvement include: symptoms that affect multiple systems (ED + brain fog + fatigue), labs that look "normal" despite feeling off, and response to vasodilator medications. Specific biomarkers like ADMA can indicate endothelial dysfunction. Learn about vascular testing.

Curious whether vascular factors are contributing to your symptoms?

Apply for a Vascular Review