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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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Hims provides generic and brand-name ED medications, along with access to licensed doctors for diagnosis and guidance. We evaluated Hims by reviewing its services, prices, and customer reviews.
We evaluated Hims by examining its erectile dysfunction (ED) services, looking closely at what Hims offers its users, comparing its prices, researching how long it takes for Hims ED medications to work, and reading through customer reviews. Here’s what we found.
Generic versions of well-known medications, such as Viagra and Cialis, are available at a much lower cost than their brand-name counterparts. Although generic medications are cheaper, they have still gone through a rigorous regulatory approval process to verify their safety and effectiveness.
| Medication name | Doses | Price per dose as of April 2024 | Effectiveness | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Mints | • 12 mg • 18 mg • 28 mg | starting at $6 | varies based on ingredients | take as needed |
| Viagra | • 25 mg • 50 mg • 100 mg | starting at $139 | lasts 2–5 hours | take as needed |
| Generic Viagra (sildenafil) | • 25 mg • 50 mg • 100 mg | starting at $4 | lasts 2–5 hours | take as needed |
| Cialis | 5 mg | starting at $32 or $958 for a monthly supply | lasts up to 36 hours | take daily regardless of sexual activity |
| Generic Cialis (tadalafil) | • 2.5 mg • 5 mg • 10 mg • 20 mg | starting at $2 per dose or $40 for a monthly supply | lasts up to 36 hours | take daily regardless of sexual activity or as needed |
| Stendra | 100 mg | starting at $53 | lasts up to 6 hours | take as needed |
Hims Inc. is a telemedicine company that launched in 2017, focusing on personal wellness and removing the stigmas from seeking care for sexual health issues.
Users provide personal health information that is reviewed by a staff of licensed doctors who give a diagnosis and guidance.
If appropriate, these doctors can prescribe treatments such as ED medications, hair loss medications, or products to help with premature ejaculation (PE), such as the Clockstopper Climax Delay Wipes. A Hims user can then buy these medications and products on the Hims website.
Prescription drugs must be purchased with a Hims subscription that delivers a month’s worth of medications 12 times per year. You can purchase nonprescription products without a subscription.
Using Hims for ED assessment and treatment could be the right choice for you. But if you have a complex medical history, Hims may not be appropriate. Here are the pros and cons of Hims for ED.
Pros
- Convenience: The Hims website leads users through a step-by-step process involving an explanation of symptoms, an evaluation by a doctor, a prescription and plan for ED medication, and a place to purchase the medication. Depending on your circumstances, this may be a cost effective option for you.
- Timeliness: You can usually get a response and prescription within 24 hours of entering your information. Delivery usually occurs within a week of placing your order.
- Privacy: Hims interactions can be done in the privacy of your home.
- Flexibility: Hims is another way to access care with the most common ED medications.
Cons
- Online-only care: Interacting with a doctor online is convenient, but it may not be as comprehensive as in-person appointments with a urologist or another doctor.
- Cursory doctor interactions: A quick online medical evaluation may miss certain health concerns that could indicate potential risks associated with ED medications.
- Less long-term doctor support: Having an ongoing relationship with a doctor means that changes in your health and underlying conditions that cause ED, such as diabetes, are more likely to be evaluated and treated. If you’re interested in building a relationship with a doctor for long-term and comprehensive care, Hims is probably not the right option for you.
- Online info and payments: Hims pledges to maintain customers’ privacy, but be aware that Hims requires you to provide personal information. This includes your name, address, and birth date; a scanned photo ID; and details of your medical history and symptoms.
- Cost: Depending on your insurance plan, you can end up spending more money through a service like Hims.
Though the goal of ED medications is to help you get and maintain erections, there are some differences in the three main ingredients in the products offered by Hims. But all three are PDE5 inhibitors.
Active ingredient: Sildenafil
Sildenafil helps the muscles in blood vessel walls relax, increasing blood flow to your penis. This makes it easier to get and keep an erection.
The drug won’t cause an erection on its own. Sexual stimulation is still required.
Sildenafil’s effectiveness peaks about an hour after you take it, so it’s best to take the tablet 30–60 minutes before beginning sexual activity. Its effectiveness begins to diminish after about 2 hours.
Active ingredient: Tadalafil
Tadalafil is part of the same class of drugs (PDE5 inhibitors) as sildenafil, so it works the same way to help you get an erection.
The main difference is that tadalafil stays in your system much longer. The downside is that any side effects from the medication are more likely to last longer.
Tadalafil is available in a low dose daily form that takes 4–5 days to become effective. It should stay effective every day as long as you continue to take your daily tablet.
Active ingredient: Avanafil
Stendra is a newer PDE5 inhibitor featuring the active ingredient avanafil. It’s not yet available in generic form.
It’s more like sildenafil in that it has a shorter effectiveness than tadalafil. But avanafil differs from sildenafil in some key ways.
It’s faster acting, usually taking about 15 minutes to become effective, and the effects tend to last a little longer.
Healthline’s rating score for Hims
We took a closer look at several online telehealth services and scored them based on customer service, experience, and satisfaction to help you decide if Hims is right for you and your sexual health needs.
Healthline Score: 4.3/5
Our overall score is based on the average of the following key criteria:
- Treatment Options: 5/5
- Website Experience: 4/5
- Convenience: 4/5
- Cost: 3.5/5
- Service Availability: 5/5
If you would like to learn more about how we scored Hims and other telehealth services, you can read more here: Healthline Scores: How We Evaluate Men’s Telehealth Platforms.
Hims has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). But, as with many companies, reviews previously left on the BBB are mixed. Most negative reviews and complaints focus on shipping and billing issues rather than the quality or effectiveness of the products.
On Trustpilot, customer ratings are also mixed but lean more positive, with 72% of the reviews rating Hims at 3, 4, or 5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews generally say that the cancellation process was difficult or unclear.
Customer complaints about getting timely customer service responses are also common, but Hims appears to be willing and ready to address customer complaints with refunds and other solutions.
Hims is a service that can connect you with a doctor in your state who can provide you with a prescription for ED medications.
The doctor will evaluate your symptoms and medical history to see whether you could benefit from ED medication and can safely begin treatment. Hims can then discreetly mail these medications to your home on a monthly schedule based on your dosage and frequency of use.
For those looking for more detail about each step of the Hims process, here’s a closer, step-by-step look at the process of ordering ED pills online through Hims.
Since Hims offers a wide variety of medications and other healthcare-related products, you’ll want to start by checking out the page dedicated to ED treatments if you’re considering ED medication. You can access Hims through your computer or tablet or through its mobile app, a service the company launched in November 2021.
You’ll go through a series of automated questions such as “How often do you have trouble getting or keeping an erection during sex?” and “What results are you looking for?” You’ll also be asked which state you’re located in to make sure Hims can prescribe and send medication to you if needed. Once you answer these questions, you’ll be directed to an online consultation.
During the consultation, the doctor assigned to you will review your goals and medical history. The consultation may take place via video chat, online chat, or even phone, depending on your state’s individual regulations.
After the consultation, the doctor will respond with their recommendations for the best ED treatment options that can fit your needs, budget, and sexual lifestyle.
If your assigned doctor feels that you can receive treatment through the Hims platform, they will prescribe medications. These medications can be delivered by mail through a monthly subscription or sent to your local pharmacy.
If you have follow-up questions or feel like the medication or dose isn’t working for you, you can follow up with your prescriber about adjusting the dosage or trying a different medication.
Interested in learning more about how to buy ED medications online? Here’s our closer look at other ways to buy Viagra online.
Hims aims to provide a private shopping experience. The company collects personal health information and information to verify your identity. How Hims uses or distributes the information to its partners, such as doctors or pharmacies, depends on your state’s health privacy laws.
Hims isn’t intended for use by minors, except for those ages 13–18 seeking treatment for skin issues such as acne. The site features an extensive explanation of its privacy practices, protected health information, and use of information on its website.
Hims packages its ED products in discreet envelopes. The shipping label will have the Hims company name and sometimes an “H” logo on its packaging. However, if you order products that are not for ED treatment, the products will arrive in a brown, corrugated box with the word “hims” printed on the side.
Tip: Know how to end a subscription
As with any subscription company, it’s essential to read the fine print to know what to expect regarding billing and how to end your subscription if necessary.
When used as prescribed, Hims ED medications are generally safe and well tolerated.
But because ED medications affect your circulation, it’s vital to tell Hims’ doctors about your cardiovascular health and any other medications you take.
Avoid PDE5 inhibitors if you take alpha-blockers or nitrate medications. When these medications mix, they could cause a
Less serious side effects of ED medications include:
- flushing of your face
- headaches
- nasal congestion
Though moderate alcohol consumption isn’t likely to interfere with ED medications, excessive drinking can limit the effectiveness of the medication and lead to complications such as orthostatic hypotension — a sudden drop in blood pressure that can cause fainting or falls.
When to get medical attentionSeek medical attention if you experience any of these rare but serious side effects of ED medications:
- priapism (an erection that doesn’t go away)
- changes to hearing, such as sudden hearing loss
- changes to vision in one or both eyes
Talk with your doctor about:
- your medical and health history
- your lifestyle and habits
- any supplements, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications you take regularly
- whether you’ve previously had experience with one type of ED pill versus another, especially if you’d like to continue a medication or you experienced negative side effects
Viagra, Cialis, and Stendra are FDA-approved. The generic versions of those drugs may differ slightly from the original patented drugs, although the active ingredients are the same.
However, not all Hims products are FDA-approved since the company’s offerings also include many herbal remedies and other products. It’s important to verify which product you’re buying and check the FDA status.
Hims can be a great service if you know what kind of ED medication is right for you. By using Hims, you can bypass a regular in-person doctor’s visit or another visit to a pharmacy for ED medications such as Viagra and Cialis.
But Hims may not be a great fit if you would rather explore more natural, nonprescription solutions first.
The effectiveness of ED medication can depend on several key factors, including your lifestyle, overall health, and sexual habits.
Cialis and tadalafil can be taken as needed and are longer-acting medications, allowing for more spontaneous sexual activity. These medications can be effective in as little as 30 minutes but can take up to 2 hours to start working in some cases. Cialis and tadalafil can also be taken daily at a lower dose so you can always be ready for sex.
On the other hand, Viagra, sildenafil, and Stendra are generally effective for about 4–6 hours. They should be taken at least 30–60 minutes before sexual activity.
According to Hims, doctors will typically prescribe one of three possible dose strengths of Viagra: 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. For most people, the recommended dose is 50 mg, and it’s meant to be taken as needed or as prescribed, about 1 hour before sexual activity.
Based on the drug’s effectiveness and your ability to tolerate it, your prescriber may adjust the dosage. The maximum dose per day is 100 mg of sildenafil, so don’t take any more than that.
Doctors don’t recommend combining any ED medications for a stronger effect without discussing it with a doctor first. In fact, some of these drugs can have severe side effects if combined.
That’s why it’s important to discuss any medications you’re currently taking with your doctor and not to begin taking any new or additional medications without talking with them first.
ED medications help people with ED have an erection but don’t delay orgasm. However, if you’re unable to maintain an erection during the length of a sexual encounter, then yes, ED medications may be able to help you last until orgasm.
If you’re primarily looking to delay your orgasm, consider Clockstopper Climax Delay Wipes, which are available through Hims. These wipes use benzocaine as a numbing agent to temporarily reduce the sensitivity of your penis and possibly delay orgasm. This is a treatment option for people who are experiencing PE as well.
Hims is a telemedicine company that specializes in medications for sexual dysfunction and other wellness products.
It offers privacy and one-stop shopping that allows you to consult with a licensed doctor, receive a prescription for an ED medication, and subscribe to get it delivered monthly to your home.
Hims can provide convenience, ease of access, and privacy for getting ED medications, but other options may be more affordable.