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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. Here are our Hims review for 2024.
This article discusses Hims pills and other Hims products and services in more detail. It also explores some health benefits, risks, drawbacks, and alternatives.
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.
The global prevalence of ED ranges from 3 to 76.5%. Researchers estimate that around 52% of males ages 40 to 70 years in the United States experience ED. Hims sells a range of common prescription ED medications. All of these medications have FDA approval.
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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.
Hims pills 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 to 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 to 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 2024 study found that tadalafil at a dose of 5 mg daily is effective, safe, and tolerable for use in people with mild-to-moderate ED.
The researchers found statistically significant improvements in participants’ Arabic version of the international index of erectile function (ArIIEF-5) scores after taking 5 mg tadalafil every day for 1 month compared with placebo.
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 to 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.
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 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.
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 required products or services.
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.
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 [email protected] or by calling 1-800-368-0038.
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 Hims pills can be effective for ED, 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.
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 to 5 days, depending on the person’s location and the shipping carrier they use.
Hims is 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 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
Yes, Hims Sildenafil and Hims Viagra work the same and have the same purity, strength, stability, and quality.
Hims Sildenafil is the generic drug equivalent of Viagra. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra.
Yes, prescription Hims products have FDA approval.
People can also look for Hims review ratings on BBB.org to see what other users think. This can then help a person decide whether Hims is right for them.
The time it takes for Hims ED medication to work depends on which product a person uses. For instance, Hims Cialis can take up to 2 hours to work whereas Hims Stendra can start working in 15 minutes.
A person can check all of the qualities and features of each Hims medication to decide which one best suits their needs.
BlueChew only offers chewable forms of ED medication, which may not suit people who prefer to take tablets.
A person can thoroughly review the product offerings from both organizations before deciding which one can best suit their individual needs.
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.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Motawi AT, et al. (2024). Evaluation of efficacy and safety profile of tadalafil 5 mg daily dose in the tablet form versus oral dispersible film in men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction: a comparative placebo-controlled study. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-024-04003-x
