Overview
Hims is an online telehealth platform for men that provides care for mental health, sexual health, hair loss, skincare and more. Outside of offering telehealth appointments with licensed healthcare providers, it also offers supplements, skincare and other wellness products for purchase on its site.
On Hims' Website
Pros
- Personalized treatment options, based on your needs and medical history
- Telehealth appointments are conducted by U.S. licensed health care providers
- Convenience factor of direct shipping of prescriptions
- Able to provide generic and name brand products for ED
- 100% online with free, discreet shipping of prescriptions
- No insurance required
Cons
- Online-only care, no in person visits
Key Features
- Licensed healthcare providers prescribe medications for sexual function, hair loss, mental health and more after a brief online consultation
- Offers unlimited virtual access to U.S. licensed healthcare providers
- Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment options filled at a pharmacy and shipped to you
About Hims
Developed in 2017, Hims is working to make men’s health more accessible through its online platform and subscription services. The company offers products and consults for the following health and wellness issues:
- Sexual health: Erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, genital herpes
- Hair care: Hair loss and thinning
- Skincare: Acne, anti-aging
- Mental health: Therapy, medications, support groups
- Primary care services: Infections, allergies, cold, flu and more
The company features “no hidden fees, and the only cost attributed is the cost for the specific medication prescribed or supplements chosen,” according to a Hims customer service representative.
While Hims does offer a range of treatments and medications, this review focuses on ED medications available and the process that the company offers to obtain them. The most well-known ED medication is Viagra®, a product that features the active ingredient of sildenafil citrate. Viagra® is a brand-name medication developed by the biopharmaceutical company Pfizer. Sildenafil, or generic Viagra®, is the active ingredient in Viagra® and the name of the generic version used by Hims and other pharmacies.
Hims At-a-Glance
Offers Online Consultations for ED
The process for obtaining a prescription is designed for simplicity; answer a short intake form online or through their app, a provider will assess your information and, if appropriate, recommend a treatment plan. If prescribed, everything is shipped to you for free in discreet packaging.
Hims online questionnaire (which takes about 10 to 15 minutes) consists of answering a few personal questions about goals and health history, and uploading a picture of your driver’s license or passport and address. Your information is then reviewed. If you are approved for a prescription, it’s mailed directly to your house within a few days. It is important to answer all consultation questions truthfully and make sure to note any medications, supplements or accompanying health conditions you may have.
Features Subscriptions for ED Medications
Subscriptions are needed to obtain prescription products and are created. A representative from Hims states that subscription plans are formatted to ship products out every 30, 90 or 180 days according to your needs. Pricing is determined by how many doses are needed each month and the specific strength of the products prescribed. Subscriptions may be canceled via your online account any time before your next subscription is processed to be shipped.
Boasts a Wide Range of ED Medications
Hims offers ED medications with three main active ingredients (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil). They are all PDE5 inhibitor medications, which work by increasing blood flow to the tissue of the penis.
Customized ED Treatment Options to Fit your Needs
Hims offers Viagra® and Cialis®, and their generics which are up to 95% cheaper than brand names. Hims also has a new offering in their portfolio, Hard Mints, a wintergreen chewable made with the same active ingredients as Viagra®, Cialis®, Levitra®, and Staxyn, at different dosages. Hims providers will assess your information and find the right treatment option for your individual needs.
How Does Hims Work?
To get started with Hims, you’ll fill out an online intake form and a licensed provider will assess your information and recommend a customized treatment plan. If prescribed, a subscription plan for a prescription medicine will be determined, and your treatment is shipped to your door in discreet packaging. Some states require video visits when speaking with the health care provider, while others are able to converse with practitioners through a secure online chat, the representative explains. Hims is not covered by insurance plans.
According to their customer service representative, all prescription ED drugs can only be purchased if you sign up for a subscription plan, which Hims offers prescription options at 30-, 90- or 180-day cadences.
In addition to prescription medication for ED, Hims offers a few over-the-counter options to help with sexual performance, such as sex toys and “climax-delay” spray and wipes.
The Product
Prescription medications offered for ED are specific to your individual needs and are determined by the online intake form and a provider assessment. Some medications are taken daily, while others can be taken as needed based on your needs and preference. A licensed medical provider will also determine the dosing and the amount needed each month.
The Cost of Hims
Prices for medications vary depending upon dosing and amount of medications needed each month. Subscriptions for ED pills start with a minimum of four each month.
A representative at Hims states, “the online questionnaire is free and quite brief on the company website, and after the information is submitted, a healthcare provider will assess your information and recommend a treatment plan and dosages.” Costs change depending on how many pills are needed each month and the specific dosing required. Hims has options starting as low as $4/per use.
What Experts Say About Hims for ED
Sexual dysfunction reportedly impacts over 15% of all men worldwide, and is projected to affect 320 million men by 2025, as per research in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal[1].
Rena Malik, M.D., a Baltimore-based urologist and pelvic surgeon, says, “Men with ED also often have a lot of stress around their [sexual] performance, which then gets into a vicious cycle; they think they’re going to have trouble performing, they do, and then they get more anxious, which again, impedes their performance.” She sees medications such as sildenafil and tadalafil being effective in most people who take them and explains that boosting cardiovascular health, like eating a heart-healthy diet and 160 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, can help improve erectile function.
“Hims makes erectile dysfunction treatment more accessible for patients who don’t want to, don’t feel comfortable, or don’t have access to seeing a physician in person,” says Dr. Malik. “However, sometimes with insurance and coupons, the cost of ED treatment can be more affordable if you see a physician who accepts your insurance.”
The Experience
Reviews on the company’s website are mostly positive, resulting in an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars for over 1,500 reviews.
Sources
Footnotes
- Ahmed A, Alnaama A, Shams K, Salem M. Prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction among patients attending primary health care centers in Qatar. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2011;17(07):587-592.
References
- Huang SA, Lie JD. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction. P T. 2013;38(7):407-419.
- Sildenafil Citrate. NCI Drug Dictionary, National Cancer Institute. Accessed 04/16/2023.
- Hims&Hers Inc. Better Business Bureau. Accessed 04/17/2023.
- Tadalafil. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed 04/18/2023.
- Vardenafil. Medline Plus. National Library of Medicine. Accessed 04/18/2023. 18, 2023.
