Yes, Hims treatments can help for hair loss and ED when matched to the right plan and used consistently.
Readers land on this topic with two core goals: regrow thinning hair or fix erection troubles without awkward waits. The brand offers prescription and over-the-counter options that many people already know—minoxidil, finasteride, sildenafil, tadalafil—delivered through an online visit and home shipping. This page pulls together what real users say they feel matches the science, where the wins show up, where they don’t, and how long that usually takes.
What This Page Covers And Who It Helps
This guide focuses on two use cases: pattern hair loss and erectile dysfunction. It lays out realistic timelines, odds of seeing change, side-effect patterns, and tips to squeeze the most from a subscription. If you’re weighing an online process against a walk-in clinic, you’ll also see where each route shines.
Hims Effectiveness: Reviews And Real-World Results
Scroll any app store or Reddit thread and you’ll spot a split: some users post dense regrowth shots; others say “no change” or complain about scalp itch or headaches. That mix isn’t new. These medicines have decades of data behind them, and the spread in outcomes mostly comes down to diagnosis, timing, and consistency. Pattern hair loss isn’t one thing for every scalp, and erection trouble isn’t one cause for every body. When the match is right and you use the plan as directed, the reviews trend positive—just not instant.
What You Can Expect By Treatment
If you came for a quick map, start here. These are the usual directions for the most common options offered through the platform.
| Treatment | What It Targets | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Topical Minoxidil | Pattern hair loss; boosts growth phase and density | First shed can show in weeks; visible gains often 4–12 months |
| Oral Finasteride | Pattern hair loss; lowers DHT linked to miniaturized follicles | Slows loss in 3–6 months; thicker look often 6–12 months |
| Topical Finasteride Mixes* | Pattern hair loss with a compounded spray or solution | Timelines similar to oral in some users; safety caveats apply* |
| Sildenafil | Erectile dysfunction; improves firmness when aroused | Works the same day in many cases; dose and timing matter |
| Tadalafil | Erectile dysfunction; longer half-life “weekend” option | Starts within hours; steadier window with daily low-dose plans |
*Compounded topical finasteride isn’t an FDA-approved form; safety notes appear below.
Hair Regrowth: Timelines And Odds
Minoxidil helps lengthen the growth phase of hair. Patience is part of the plan. Many users see a shed early on, then a slow shift toward thicker coverage over months. You need daily use to maintain gains; stop and the clock drifts back.
Finasteride can slow the miniaturization tied to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). That often looks like less shedding by month three to six and a fuller look by month six to twelve. Photos taken under the same light tell the truth better than memory, so set reminders to shoot consistent pictures from day one.
Want a vetted primer on expectations for these medicines? See AAD hair loss treatment guidance for a plain-English rundown on timelines and ongoing use.
Why Some See Strong Regrowth While Others Don’t
Three levers steer outcomes. First, scalp pattern and stage: early thinning responds better than long-standing bald patches. Second, adherence: missed nights shave down gains. Third, the mix: many dermatology clinics pair minoxidil with a DHT blocker. User reviews echo that combo trend, where steady application plus a blocker yields the biggest “after” shots.
What About Topical Finasteride Sprays?
Compounded sprays exist, and some users praise them. Recent safety alerts flagged risks that everyone should read before starting a bottle, especially for homes with pregnant partners. The pill form holds FDA approval; the spray form does not. For the official alert, read the FDA notice on compounded topical finasteride.
ED Treatment: What Real Users Report
For ED, reviews lean on speed and reliability. Many men note that sildenafil helps the same night when taken as directed, with a set window. Tadalafil gets points for a longer window and fewer timing worries, which can lower stress during date nights. Dose, meal timing, and interactions change the feel, so a well-tuned plan matters.
Who Tends To Benefit Most
Users with mild to moderate firmness issues linked to blood flow often report steady results. Those with nerve injury, severe hormonal issues, or drug-related causes may need extra steps. A thorough intake improves the match.
How Long To Give It
You’ll know quickly with ED meds: same day to a few tries at the right dose. With hair, think months, not weeks. Set a 90-day check for ED settings and a 6- to 12-month check for hair density plans.
Pros And Trade-offs Of Using An Online Platform
Advantages Users Call Out
- No waiting room and easy refills.
- Discreet packaging for ED meds.
- Clear step-by-step directions and automated reminders inside the portal.
Limits You Should Weigh
- Some cases need labs, in-person scalp checks, or a blood-pressure read.
- Compounded hair mixes vary by pharmacy; quality and safety can differ.
- Generic pills from any source share the same drug risks; you still need careful screening for nitrates, eye issues, or heart disease.
Safety, Side Effects, And Red Flags
Every plan trades benefit against risk. Read labels, watch for changes, and talk with a licensed prescriber before starting, stopping, or switching. Two quick notes stand out across many reviews: minoxidil gains fade if you stop, and PDE5 pills must not mix with nitrates.
| Treatment | Common Effects | Stop And Seek Care If |
|---|---|---|
| Topical Minoxidil | Early shed, scalp itch, dryness | Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, sudden swelling |
| Oral Finasteride | Reduced libido, softer erections, low ejaculate volume | Mood changes, new anxiety, breast tenderness, lumps |
| Topical Finasteride Mixes | Local irritation, possible sexual side effects | Any severe mood change, sexual dysfunction, or exposure risk in pregnancy |
| Sildenafil / Tadalafil | Flushing, headache, nasal stuffiness | Chest pain, vision loss, hearing loss, if you used nitrates |
Key Medical Notes You Should Know
- No nitrates with ED meds. Anyone taking nitroglycerin or similar drugs must avoid sildenafil or tadalafil due to a blood-pressure crash risk.
- Hair meds take time. Many users don’t see clear change until month six; some need a combo plan.
- Compounded sprays need extra caution. Read the FDA alert linked above and keep bottles away from partners who may be pregnant.
How To Get The Best Results With Hims
Set A Simple Routine
Pair applications or pills with an anchor: brushing teeth at night, first coffee, or lunch. Use phone alarms for the first six weeks until the habit sticks.
Track The Right Metrics
- Hair: Take front, top, and crown photos monthly under the same light. Note shed counts only if the number changes a lot; small swings are normal.
- ED: Track dose, timing, meal size, and alcohol. Adjust with your prescriber after two to four tries, not after one.
Pick The Right Strength And Form
Light shedding and a visible part line often pair well with minoxidil alone. Faster recession or crown loss often needs minoxidil plus a DHT blocker. For ED, a smaller body and empty stomach often favor lower sildenafil doses; larger bodies or heavy meals may need a tweak in timing or dose. A steady daily tadalafil plan can help those who dislike planning around a clock.
Don’t Chase Magic Fixes
Supplements and fancy shampoos can be nice add-ons, but most gains still come from the same workhorse drugs listed above. Save your budget for the part that moves the needle.
How The Medical Evidence Lines Up
Decades of trials and guideline papers back the core drugs. Minoxidil helps many users if they stick with it for months. Finasteride slows loss and often thickens coverage with steady use. ED pills raise the odds of firm erections when the dose and timing fit. Labels list clear guardrails, especially for drug interactions and pregnancy risk with finasteride exposure. If you want a quick official read beyond marketing pages, start with the AAD link above and the FDA alert on compounded sprays. For ED drugs, labels explain nitrate risks in plain terms on government sites.
Who Should Skip Or Seek Another Route
- Anyone on nitrates for chest pain or on riociguat for lung disease—ED pills are off the table.
- Those with sudden hair shedding in round patches, scalp pain, or scarring—see a local dermatologist for a hands-on look.
- People with past severe mood changes on finasteride—talk through risks before any restart.
- Homes with a pregnant partner—avoid open topical finasteride sprays and store pills safely.
When An In-Person Visit Beats A Chat Box
Some problems need a scope, a lab, or a blood-pressure check. If your hair loss came on fast, if you have rashes or scale, or if ED came out of nowhere with chest pain or shortness of breath, book an office visit. A tailored plan after a full exam can still use the same drugs, but the extra data shapes a better outcome.
Costs, Refills, And Adherence Tips
Prices swing by dose, supply, and shipping deals, so check current numbers inside your account. What matters more for outcomes is whether you keep the routine. Line up refills early, batch your orders, and keep a spare bottle or blister pack in your travel kit. Small planning wins add up to steady progress photos and fewer “missed dose” days.
Method Notes: How This Guide Was Built
The guidance here distills user patterns you see across large review sets and pairs that with clinical sources and agency pages. That blend keeps the claims grounded in measured results while staying practical for daily use. The links above point to public resources so you can read the same material your prescriber reads.
Takeaway
For many, Hims can deliver the same results you’d get from a well-run clinic: steadier hair with minoxidil and a DHT blocker over months, and dependable erections with the right PDE5 dose and timing. Wins arrive when the diagnosis fits, the plan matches your health profile, and the routine stays steady. Read the FDA note on compounded finasteride sprays, follow label guardrails for ED meds, and give hair plans time. If you do that, the odds of posting your own before-and-after set rise a lot.