100% online ED treatment

Tackling ED has never been easier. These FDA-approved, effective ED pills can’t be found over-the-counter and always require a prescription in the USA. The licensed providers through our platform can help with exactly that—all from home.

So what is erectile dysfunction (ED), anyway?



Why it happens

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, the inability to get or keep an erection during sexual activity, happens when the penile erection chambers fail to generate and maintain the high pressures that characterize a fully hard erection. Usually, sexual stimulation is enough to get things going, but men with ED have trouble staying firm through ejaculation. Lots of things can contribute, like age, high blood pressure (hypertension), vascular disease, multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer treatments, stress, certain antidepressants, certain spinal cord injuries and more.



What you can do

Can ED medication help?

Yes, the good news is ED drugs, PDE5 inhibitors that are prescription medications, have been clinically proven to be effective treatments for ED. Wondering about side effects, an underlying cause, or an underlying condition? Find out if ED medication is right for you by getting medical advice from the expert providers through our healthcare platform, without any of the stress of an in-person doctor visit.



The different ED meds

What ED treatments are there?

A number of ED pills are prescribed in the United States. We worked with our expert medical advisors to determine which ED treatments to offer through our platform - from highly effective as-needed ED treatment (like the active ingredient in Viagra®) and daily ED meds (like the generic for Cialis®). Though not available through Hims, doctors sometimes prescribe other medications like vardenafil (Levitra®, Staxyn®) or even alprostadil, a penile injection.

ED treatment should be simple—and now it is

Range of proven treatments

Whether you’re looking for ED medication that you only take when needed or that you take daily so you don’t have to plan ahead, all of these ED drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Private, expert online consultation

It’s not easy to open up about our sex life or possible sexual dysfunction. But the licensed providers through our platform don't judge, and are standing by to help you figure out what’s right for you.

95% cheaper, but 100% as effective

Why shell out extra for the same active ingredient? Generic for Viagra, the most popular ED treatment through Hims, has the same active ingredient as Viagra®, but it’s only a fraction of the cost.

Meet the erectile dysfunction treatment options

You want something that works. That’s why we used the urology expertise on our medical advisory team to determine which ED treatments to offer through our platform. Get started today to see if one of these proven, FDA-approved erectile dysfunction drugs could help reignite your sex life.

As-needed ED pills

Used by millions of men, these ED treatments are taken before having sex. They’re best if you’re able to predict when you’ll have sex, or if you don’t want to take a pill every day.

POPULAR

Generic for Viagra®

(Sildenafil Citrate)

from $3 per use

The most popular ED treatment available through our platform, generic for Viagra® uses the exact same active ingredient as Viagra® but is 95% cheaper than the brand name.

Viagra®

(Sildenafil Citrate)

from $139 per use

It’s the first FDA-approved oral treatment for erectile dysfunction. If you care about the brand name of sildenafil citrate, this may be the option for you.
POPULAR

Generic for Cialis®

(Tadalafil)

$82 per month

The unbranded, more affordable generic form of Cialis® taken as-needed. As-needed tadalafil lasts for 24-36 hours to support erections for longer.

Daily ED pills

Oh, so you’re a live-in-the-moment kind of guy? Since these erectile dysfunction medications are taken every day, you can be ready to go at the drop of a hat (or pants?). No need to carry pills on you or plan ahead.

POPULAR

Generic for Cialis®

(Tadalafil)

$82 per month

The most affordable, daily ED pill formulated with the exact same exact active ingredient as Cialis®. This is a great option if you want to be ready 24/7 and don’t want to plan ahead.

Cialis®

$958 per month

The brand name for tadalafil, it’s also a once-a-day ED pill that’s a more convenient way to help get an erection when the time is right rather than planning ahead.
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Frequently asked
questions about ED
medication

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by psychological factors, medical conditions and certain medications. In younger men with variable or situational ED, sexual performance anxiety or low self-esteem can lead to stress and anxiety that restricts blood flow to the penis at exactly the wrong moment. In men with ED that doesn’t vary with different partners or different situations, underlying problems with nerves, blood vessels or hormone production may be present.

The providers through our platform can help identify the erectile dysfunction cause and treat your ED. In addition, they can recommend testing and physical examinations to make sure that you don’t have undiagnosed underlying health problems and risk factors (for example, cardiovascular disease or heart disease, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or even obesity).
Symptoms of male sexual dysfunction include:
  • difficulty getting and/or maintaining an erection
  • loss of interest in sexual activity
  • painful erections (Peyronie's disease)
Learn more about the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in our guide.
Get stimulated and the pills can take it from there.
Sexual arousal triggers a response in your body that then triggers nitric oxide production, which relaxes the blood vessels and smooth muscle in the penis. This lets blood rush into the base of the penis, which gets hard as a result. There is an enzyme in the penis called phosphodiesterase that shuts this process off when sex is over. ED pills work by blocking PDE5 and preventing this shut-off. That keeps your erection going longer and stronger.
Your provider will help determine which drug for erectile dysfunction is most appropriate for you. All of the oral medications available in the United States for ED treatment are approved by the FDA based on extensive, high-quality clinical trials. These trials have uniformly demonstrated that ED medications are safe and effective for the vast majority of men. Just like with any doctor’s visit, it is important to be honest during your online ED visit so that your provider can identify risks that these medications might pose to you based on your specific medical history and medications. ED pills may not be right for you If you have chest pain with mild exertion, very low blood pressure or take certain medications such as nitroglycerin. If you fall into these categories, consult with a urologist in person about alternative treatments such as MUSE urethral suppositories or penile injection therapy.
Learn more in our guide to the safest drug for erectile dysfunction.
Head to head clinical studies have generally demonstrated that no particular erectile dysfunction medication is superior to the others. Rather, each medication has particular advantages and disadvantages that are important to understand when selecting the treatment that is best for you.
The most effective pill must work in concert with your body, nervous system, lifestyle and even your mental health. Although all PDE5 inhibitors have all been clinically proven to be effective for treating ED, some may act faster, last longer, work regardless of food intake, etc. With enough information, a qualified medical provider can help you find an ED medication and dosage that is right for you. You may connect with providers and receive ongoing care through our platform.
In general, ED treatment side effects are mild and temporary. Common side effects include headaches, flushed skin, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), runny nose, back pain and upset stomach. Medical providers can help you address side effects from ED medication such as PDE5 inhibitors. You may connect with providers and receive ongoing men's health care through our platform.

However, while the prevalence is low, ED medications can very rarely cause serious side effects such as priapism (a prolonged, painful erection that can result in permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated immediately). Serious adverse events such as hearing or vision loss have also been reported in patients taking ED pills, although it is not clear if these adverse events were caused by the ED medication.
In the United States, erectile dysfunction medications are prescription drugs and cannot be legally sold over-the-counter. Any website, doctor or person who sells ED medications without a prescription is breaking the law and may be selling potentially dangerous counterfeit drugs. According to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, Viagra is one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world.
Hims offers access to safe, effective care that is more convenient than visiting a doctor in-person for ED medication. You’ll be connected to a board-licensed medical provider, who will evaluate you, and can prescribe FDA-approved ED treatment if indicated for your situation. If prescribed, treatment is delivered straight to your home.
FDA recommends that men who’ve suffered from all heart disturbances, heart attacks as well as strokes exercise caution regarding ED drugs.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and erectile dysfunction, talk to a medical provider to learn which ed treatments are appropriate and which are not. For example, alternative treatments or reduced dosage medication may be advisable while dangerous interactions between common heart medications (ie, nitrates) and PDE5s should be avoided.
Diuretics, alpha-blockers and beta-blockers are some of the high blood pressure medications commonly associated with ED. However, untreated high blood pressure can also cause erectile dysfunction, so it is important to get your blood pressure under control for both your health and your erection. If you start experiencing erectile dysfunction after beginning BP medication, talk to the prescribing doctor.
The best way to improve your erectile function is to take a holistic approach. ED medications work best in the long term when combined with positive lifestyle changes that promote overall health. Eating a heart-healthy diet, consuming certain nutritional supplements, exercising, and avoiding health-harming behaviors like cigarette smoking can make a big difference and allow you to enjoy a whole lifetime of healthy sexual function.
Therapy: If your erectile dysfunction has a psychological cause, therapy can provide useful, practical tools that help in the moment, and may help you to deal with the root cause of anxiety or depression.
Reduce alcohol consumption: If you frequently experience ED after drinking alcohol, the alcohol may actually be the cause of your erectile dysfunction. Try having sex without alcohol to see if that solves the problem.
Explore ED-specific devices: Items such as a vacuum device may offer some temporary aid for your erections. Penile implants, while more expensive and require surgery, are a viable prosthesis option.
No, an enlarged prostate cannot cause ED. However, ED and prostate enlargement (also called BPH, benign prostatic hypertrophy) are both common problems that occur with increasing frequency as men age and become older men. Interestingly, once a day Cialis (tadalafil) is not just an FDA-approved treatment for ED. It is also approved to treat urinary symptoms that can result from an enlarged prostate like a weak stream, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency. If you have both ED and symptoms from an enlarged prostate, once-daily Cialis (or generic tadalafil) might be a great treatment option.
Yes, low testosterone levels can cause ED in some men. However, the threshold level of testosterone needed to maintain normal erectile function is actually fairly low. Although testosterone deficiency is a common condition, most affected men have symptoms other than erectile dysfunction. You should be evaluated for testosterone deficiency if you have ED and have noticed that you are more fatigued than you would expect, have low desire, and/or trouble maintaining your muscle mass. Testosterone deficiency is not likely to be the cause of ED in men with normal sexual desire, energy and physical strength.