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Hims provides access to licensed doctors for diagnosis, guidance, and prescribing ED meds. Our tester went through onboarding to experience the process. See if it’s right for you.
Hims is one of the many platforms that offer telehealth online from licensed providers, with services spanning from skincare and hair loss to anxiety and erectile dysfunction.
In this review, we examine 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. Our testers also go through the onboarding process to share their experience with the platform. Here’s what we found.
Hims ED Medications
Hims has a total of 9 prescription-only; generic and brand-name; and custom compounded medications to help with sexual dysfunction. In this review, we review the FDA-approved ED medications, including the compound medication Hard Mints.
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* | Effectiveness | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra | • 25 mg • 50 mg • 100 mg | starting at $139 | lasts 2 to 5 hours | take as needed |
| Generic Viagra (sildenafil) | • 25 mg • 50 mg • 100 mg | starting at $4 | lasts 2 to 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 |
| Hard Mints | • 12 mg • 18 mg • 28 mg | starting at $6 | varies based on ingredients | take as needed |
Each company we recommend, including Hims, undergoes a thorough vetting process. During this process, a team of experts carefully evaluates each company based on the quality, accessibility, cost, and availability of its products or services. This allows us to give you strong recommendations for products and services that offer good value for your money.
We also ensure that sponsors and business partners never influence our content.
In addition, we review Better Business Bureau ratings (BBB), where applicable, and check to make sure none of these brands have Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
If you’d like to read more about our selection process and scoring system for telehealth platforms, check out Healthline Scores: How We Evaluate Men’s Telehealth Platforms.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the services on this page, we considered all the ED treatment services that passed our vetting process. Then, we scored each service to narrow down our list even further.
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 to people.
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.
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. All three are PDE5 inhibitors, but they have different ranges of when they work and when they kick in.
Active ingredient: Sildenafil | Brand name: Viagra
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 | Brand name: Cialis
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.
Hims has an A+ rating from the 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.
That’s why we had two testers go through the onboarding process to get a sense of the quality, effectiveness, safety, and more. Overall, both testers had a pleasant experience with Hims.
Aaron* tested this platform to explore ED medications more for the audience he typically writes for. Parisa Syed, Healthline editor, tested this platform to showcase the process as easily as she could, since “the function of the drugs are the same; it’s the services that are different.”
*The name has been changed to protect our tester’s anonymity.
The website itself
Both Aaron and Parisa liked the website and found it intuitive, straightforward, and easy to navigate.
“[It’s] very modern, lots of pictures, really nice and calm color scheme, Syed said. “Almost understated. What I appreciate about their website is that the text surrounding the prescription medications are smaller, and the image of the Hims pill packet is extremely large. So if users do catch a site of it, it’s more of a coincidental marketing opportunity.”
Though Syed liked the website, the one irritating thing she found is that “you have to scroll down to the middle of the page for information about the available meds. Otherwise, if you click on the meds linked above, you get taken to the questionnaire immediately. Could be helpful for some, but if you want to do more research, it could be irritating.”
Aaron used the mobile version of Hims as well, but he found that “the [text] could be difficult to read in its entirety when long paragraphs were cut off or content couldn’t all fit together on a single page.” It became more of a problem when he was making selections for the assessment.
Another problem Aaron had with the mobile version was he felt somewhat uncomfortable that someone might see what he was browsing from a distance. So he kept his back to a wall.
Step-by-step guide on joining Hims
- Questionnaire: To get started, you fill out an intensive consultation form that will ask you questions about your age, sex, medical history, and more. Both of our testers thought Hims’s questionnaire was pretty long, lasting anywhere from 5 to 8 minutes.
- Identity check: Before you get to the confirmation page, Hims asks you to verify your identity by either Social Security number or ID.
- Confirmation page: This page comes after you add your shipping address, and it confirms your “plan” based on the product that was recommended for you. They give you shipping frequencies, and the price per month is different for each.
- Monthly supply of Hard Mints, Daily Tadalafil was $79/month.
- 3-month supply of Hard Mints, Daily Tadalafil was discounted to $49/month.
- 5-month supply of Hard Mints, Daily Tadalafil was discounted to $39/month.
- Professional meet and payment: Next, Hims will ask you to fill out your payment information, but they note that you won’t be charged unless you’re prescribed the medication from the healthcare professional you meet with. You’ll be able to schedule a time and date with someone in your state after you submit your payment.
- 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.
- Receive the medication: After consulting with your healthcare professional and finding the best medication for you, you’ll receive your medication. Hims works with partner pharmacies to refill your prescription and they’ll be sent to your address within 2 to 5 business days. Shipping is free.
Want other options to get ED medications online?
Take a closer look at our roundup of best places to buy ED pills online.
Interested specifically Viagra or Cialis? Check out Best Places to Get Viagra and Sildenafil Online and Best Places to Buy Cialis and Tadalafil 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.
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
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.
Since erectile dysfunction becomes more common among males as they age, doctors are very familiar with successfully treating the symptoms of ED though several proven treatments.
If you frequently experience ED symptoms when becoming aroused or trying to have an erection, it may be time to reach out to a doctor in person or through an online service like Hims.
A doctor will be able to evaluate your medical and health history as well as your personal habits and sexual lifestyle. They’ll be able to recommend treatments or discuss other medications worth trying if you don’t see the desired results from a medication.
However, it’s important to share any medications or supplements you’re currently taking with your doctor. This can help minimize the risk of dangerous or extreme side effects that may occur when these medications interact with ED treatments.
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 to 6 hours. They should be taken at least 30 to 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.