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Hims is a telehealth company specializing in male sexual health concerns, such as erectile dysfunction, 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.
- For erectile dysfunction: Hims ED medication | Skip to review
- For premature ejaculation: Hims PE medication | Skip to review
- For male pattern baldness: Hims hair loss treatments | Skip to review
- For skin care options: Hims supplements and skin care | Skip to review
- For health consultations and mental health: Hims telehealth | Skip to review
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.
Hims has been in business since 2017. The company currently offers treatments for:
- erectile dysfunction
- premature ejaculation
- skin concerns
- other health conditions
The company 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
In 2018, Hims launched Hers, a brand focusing on female health.
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 sells condoms, which help
Anyone with sexual health concerns can contact a Hims healthcare professional to discuss treatment options.
The company offers services for people with the following sexual health concerns.
Other products and services Hims offers include:
Pros
- Convenience: Hims takes customers from assessment to purchase in a single online process.
- Range of products: Hims provides various products, from erectile dysfunction treatments to supplements.
- 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.
- Personal information: Hims does not sell or share any personal information. But it does require people to upload sensitive data and photos. Some people may not be comfortable with this.
The company’s products may be suitable for adult males who have sexual dysfunction, hair loss, some skin concerns, and other general health concerns.
People must be at least 18 years old to use the service. Some Hims products are only suitable for those ages 21 years and older.
Hims has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A+ grade. Reviewers on the BBB give Hims an average of 3.3 out of 5 stars.
Hims has an average review rating of 5 on its website and 3.9 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.
Other brands similar to Hims include:
- REX MD: This company specializes in male health and offers products for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, hair loss, herpes, and other health conditions. It also provides online consultations, personalized treatment plans, and unlimited follow-ups.
- Roman: This platform offers online consultations, customized treatment plans, and prescription medications. It helps people with erectile dysfunction, hair loss, premature ejaculation, cold sores, and genital herpes. People can use Roman’s pharmacy network or a pharmacy of their choice.
- Lemonaid: This company provides telehealth services for people ages 18 and older. Virtual visits cost $25 each. There is a flat monthly fee for mental health support services. Lemonaid also offers tests for people who need to measure their blood sugar or cholesterol levels.
- Eddie by Giddy: This brand produces wearable rings that help with erectile dysfunction.
The following table compares Hims to the alternative brands listed above:
| Viagra (sildenafil) | Cialis (tadalafil) | Stendra (avanafil) | Other ED products | Subscriptions | Consultations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | branded and generic from $4 per use | branded and generic, from $82 per month | branded from $59 per use | none | monthly | free |
| REX MD | branded and generic at 25, 50, and 100 mg from $10 per dose | branded and generic at 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg, starting at $3 per dose | not available | none | monthly or quarterly | free |
| Roman | branded and generic at 15, 20, 25, and 100 mg, from $2 per dose | branded and generic at 2.5, 5, and 20 mg, from $8 per dose | not available | none | monthly or quarterly | free |
| Lemonaid | branded and generic at 20, 25, 50, and 100 mg, from $2 per dose | branded at 5, 10, and 20 mg, from $50 per dose | not available | none | monthly | $25 |
| Eddie by Giddy | not available | not available | not available | Eddie ring, at $188 | none | not available |
Learn more about alternatives to Hims here:
Hims is not the only online platform for male health. It is
- costs
- staff qualifications and availability
- privacy policies
- whether they would like a service that works with a subscription model
- other health services, including mental health services
Hims offers three types of ED medication: sildenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil, which are all phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors. These inhibitors increase blood flow to the penis to sustain an erection.
Evidence suggests that they are an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- Sildenafil: 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: 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: 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. - Sertraline: A 2021 study involving 240 people with premature ejaculation found that taking 50 mg of sertraline daily for several weeks improved ejaculation time.
Although ED medications can be effective, psychological and physiological factors
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 like 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 is concerned about ED, they may wish to speak about it with a doctor they already know and feel comfortable with. 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.
Below are answers to common questions about Hims.
How often can you use Hims’ products?
Hims sells various medications for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and skin care. Each has different dosages and guidelines for use.
For example, a person should not usually take sildenafil more than once in 24 hours.
Always follow a healthcare professional’s instructions when using Hims’ products.
Is it safe to use Hims’ products with other erectile dysfunction drugs?
No. A person should not mix erectile dysfunction medications.
These drugs can interact with other medications, such as alpha-blockers. It is essential to follow the guidance of a medical professional when taking any medication.
Are Hims’ products FDA-approved?
Prescription Hims’ products have FDA approval. However, some nonprescription products, such as face creams, do not have this approval.
Additionally, it offers some prescription products as off-label treatments. This means the FDA has not approved them for certain uses, such as sertraline for premature ejaculation.
Can Hims be trusted?
Hims has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau and an A+ grade.
In addition, Hims does not offer prescription medication unless a person undergoes an online visit with a healthcare professional through the company’s platform.
However, Hims has mixed reviews from customers. People should carefully read other customers’ experiences before deciding whether to use this service.
Does Hims work like Viagra?
Hims is a telehealth company that offers products and prescription medication, including brand-name and generic Viagra.
If a person purchases Viagra through the company, the drug will work the same as Viagra a person purchases elsewhere.
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.