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Hims is a telehealth company specializing in male sexual health concerns, such as erectile dysfunction (ED), and other conditions. It offers online consultations, treatment plans, and support groups.

This article discusses Hims and its products and services in more detail. It also explores some health benefits, risks, drawbacks, and alternatives.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

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Hims is a telehealth company that has been in business since 2017. The company currently offers treatments for:

Hims aims to provide virtual medical advice and treatment. This remote service might benefit people who cannot personally visit a medical professional.

According to the company’s website, its medications have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, doctors may prescribe medications off-label. This involves prescribing a drug for a purpose or at a dosage that the FDA has not approved.

In 2018, Hims launched Hers, a brand focusing on female health. Learn more about Hers.

The following are some advantages and disadvantages of Hims.

Pros

  • Convenience: Hims takes customers from assessment to purchase in a single online process.
  • Range of products: Hims provides various products for a range of common health conditions, from ED, hair loss, and premature ejaculation treatments to mental health support and more.
  • Fully licensed doctors: Every medical professional a person interacts with through Hims is fully licensed in their state.

Cons

  • Cost: Most insurance plans do not cover Hims’ products.
  • Online-only care: Medical professionals can only provide video or phone assessments. This may affect the quality of ongoing care and may not be suitable for certain health conditions.
  • Personal information: Hims states it does not sell or share any personal information. However, it does require people to upload sensitive data and photos. Some people may not be comfortable with this.
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The global prevalence of ED ranges from 3–76.5%. Researchers estimate that around 52% of males ages 40–70 years in the United States experience ED. Hims sells a range of common prescription ED medications. All of these medications have FDA approval.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Hims’ ED medication options work by suppressing or inhibiting an enzyme in the body called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). This enables blood to flow more freely through the body, relaxing the smooth muscle and increasing blood flow to the penis, which causes an erection. However, sexual stimulation or arousal is necessary for these medications to work.

While the structural difference between each Hims ED medication is minimal, they have different dynamic properties, such as active ingredients, how quickly they work, and how long they can be effective.

We look at each active ingredient in more detail below.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil citrate is the active ingredient in ED medications labeled sildenafil or Viagra. People should take sildenafil 1 hour before sex and no more than once a day. Its effects will begin to wear off 2–4 hours after a person takes it.

Several clinical studies show that sildenafil is effective for ED. It allowed the study participants to develop and keep an erection longer than without the drug.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil is another PDE5 inhibitor, meaning it works in the same way as sildenafil. However, tadalafil stays in the body longer than sildenafil.

People can take a 5 mg dose of tadalafil every day. When people take it daily, they can have sex spontaneously, eliminating the need to plan when to take ED medication. A daily dose may take 4–5 days to become effective at first.

If people choose to take tadalafil as and when needed, the medication will take effect in about an hour and may remain effective for up to 36 hours.

Clinical trials also showed tadalafil to be effective for ED. A 2018 study on the effects of tadalafil found that the drug is a safe and effective option for long-term use. Participants reported a decrease in ED symptoms after 3 months.

Avanafil

Avanafil is the active ingredient in Stendra. People cannot buy a generic version of Stendra. Stendra works much faster than other ED medications and can take effect in as little as 15 minutes.

People should take Stendra 15–30 minutes before sexual activity. It can work for up to 5 hours.

A clinical trial involving 646 males with ED found that avanafil improved their symptoms after 3 months. Additionally, a 2019 clinical study involving 712 people with erectile dysfunction found that taking avanafil helped many participants engage in penetrative sex. Additionally, researchers found little difference in efficacy between the 100 mg and 200 mg dose of avanafil.

Hims also sells products for other sexual health conditions and concerns.

Hims also sells condoms, which help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections and protect against pregnancy. The company also sells water-based lubes and vibrators that may help improve sexual performance and pleasure.

Other products and services Hims offers include:

At the time of publication, Hims has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A+ grade. Reviewers on the BBB give Hims an average of 4 out of 5 stars.

Hims has an average review rating of 3.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

Positive reviews focus on the quality and effectiveness of products. Customers mention that Hims notified them when their prescription was about to expire and that they had no issues with refills.

Most negative reviews describe customer service and shipping issues. Customers complain about long response times to inquiries.

Hims claims that it takes user privacy very seriously and takes significant steps to keep user data secure by using 256-bit encryption, one of the most secure encryption methods available.

Additionally, Hims uses discreet packaging when shipping products to the customer, protecting their privacy during the shipping process.

When people sign up for Hims’ services, they will provide the company with certain personal information such as their name, email address, shipping address, phone number, certain transactional information, and demographic data.

Hims uses this information to:

  • process the user’s registration
  • communicate with the user via email, text, or telephone
  • develop, test, or improve the site
  • promote and market
  • produce and distribute information regarding the use of telehealth
  • improve the user’s experience of the site
  • protect or enforce the rights and properties of others
  • analyze behavior and activity on or through the site

Hims claims that it keeps the user’s information for as long as it deems necessary or for as long as necessary to provide the user with the products or services they require.

Hims will only pass on the user’s personal details to third parties with the user’s consent or as the company determines necessary to complete transactions or provide the services the user requested or authorized.

Users should be aware that Hims is not a “covered entity” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191.

People can choose what data they provide to Hims and how Hims uses that data. A person can ask for their personal information to be deleted by emailing privacy@forhims.com or by calling 1-800-368-0038.

The following table compares Hims to the alternative brands listed above:

Viagra (sildenafil)Cialis (tadalafil)Stendra (avanafil)Other ED productsSubscriptionsConsultations
Himsbranded and generic
from $4 per use
branded and generic, from $82 per monthbranded from $59 per usenonemonthlyfree
REX MDbranded and generic at 25, 50, and 100 mg from $10 per dosebranded and generic at 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg, starting at $3 per dosenot availablenonemonthly or quarterlyfree
Romanbranded and generic at 15, 20, 25, and 100 mg, from $4 per dosebranded and generic at 2.5, 5, and 20 mg, from $8 per dosenot availablenonemonthly or quarterlyfree
Lemonaidbranded and generic at 20, 25, 50, and 100 mg, from $2 per dosebranded at 5, 10, and 20 mg, from $65 per dosenot availablenonemonthly$25
Eddie by Giddynot availablenot availablenot availableEddie ring, at $188nonenot available

Learn more about alternatives to Hims here:

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Telemedicine services offer a convenient, accessible way to receive healthcare. However, people must consider privacy and confidentiality when selecting a telehealth provider.

Telehealth services may not be suitable for treating or dealing with certain health concerns. Additionally, they may not always accept health insurance.

For long-term healthcare, it may be more beneficial to have in-person appointments with a doctor.

Online medical services such as Hims are unsuitable for health emergencies. If someone needs urgent care, they should contact emergency services or visit the nearest urgent care center.

If a person has concerns about ED, they may wish to speak about it with a doctor they already know and feel comfortable with. Although ED medications can be effective, psychological and physiological factors may also play a role in ED. People should also speak with a doctor if they experience side effects from any ED treatments they try.

This is also true of hair loss medication.

Hims sells Viagra and sildenafil, the generic version of Viagra. These medications are legitimate and FDA-approved ED treatments.

Prescription Hims’ products have FDA approval. However, some nonprescription products, such as face creams, do not have FDA approval.

Additionally, it offers some prescription products as off-label treatments. This means the FDA has not approved them for certain uses or at specific doses, such as sertraline for premature ejaculation.

Hims ED medications usually take up to 2 hours to work. However, Stendra can work within 15 minutes.

Hims states delivery takes 2–5 days, depending on the person’s location and the shipping carrier they use.

Hims a telehealth company that sells prescription and non-prescription medication and products.

If a person wishes to use the website to get prescription medication, they will need to complete a questionnaire and consult with a healthcare professional who will prescribe drugs if it is appropriate. Hims will then send medication in discreet packaging to a person’s address.

Most of the products on the website are available as a subscription. People will sign up for automatic deliveries and may receive a discount.

Common side effects of Hims ED medication include:

  • headaches
  • upset stomach
  • blurred vision
  • nasal congestion
  • muscle and back pain
  • nausea
  • dizziness and rash
  • skin flushing

Hims is a telehealth company that provides help with sexual health issues and other health concerns without the need to visit a clinic. The company offers online consultations, personalized treatment plans, and support groups.

Before scheduling an online visit, a person may consider other telehealth companies offering similar products and services.