Is Hims Pills or Spray Better?: A Comprehensive Comparison

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Affecting a significant portion of the male population, conditions like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and hair loss are common concerns. Navigating the range of treatment options can be complex, and for men considering Hims, a key question arises: is Hims pills or spray better? The answer is not one-she the specific condition being treated, as well as individual preferences for convenience, side effects, and desired speed of action.

Quick Summary

The best Hims treatment—pills or spray—depends on the medical condition and personal needs. Oral medication offers convenience but carries potential systemic side effects. Topical sprays provide localized action with fewer full-body side effects, though they can be messier to apply. Comparative effectiveness and speed of action also vary significantly by condition.

Key Points

Oral vs. Topical for ED: Hims oral pills (sildenafil, tadalafil) are the proven, effective standard for ED, with chewables and sprays potentially offering a faster onset than traditional tablets.
Local vs. Systemic Effects: Hims topical sprays for PE and hair loss work locally, reducing the risk of systemic side effects common with oral medications.
PE Treatment Comparison: A topical lidocaine spray for PE is fast-acting and locally effective, contrasting with oral SSRIs that require daily use and affect the entire body.
Hair Loss Options: The choice between oral finasteride and a topical finasteride/minoxidil spray depends on prioritizing convenience (pill) versus minimizing potential sexual side effects (spray).
Compounding and FDA Status: Many specialized Hims products, including compounded sprays and mints, use FDA-approved ingredients but are not FDA-approved themselves. This contrasts with their standard oral medication offerings.
Choosing the Best Fit: The 'better' option is highly individual and depends on your medical history, treatment goals, and personal preferences, emphasizing the need for a professional consultation.

For men seeking treatment for conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and hair loss, Hims offers a variety of oral and topical medications. While both forms are effective for many, their differences in application, speed, and side effect profiles mean one may be a better choice for certain individuals. Making an informed decision requires understanding how each format works for specific concerns and weighing the trade-offs.

Comparing Hims Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Hims primarily addresses ED with oral medications like sildenafil and tadalafil, available as traditional tablets, chewables, and "Sex Chews". An oral spray containing sildenafil is also an option through some providers.

Oral Pills (Sildenafil/Tadalafil)

Taking a pill or chewable is a simple and discreet way to treat ED. These FDA-approved medications are highly effective for most men by improving blood flow. Because they are absorbed systemically, side effects like headaches and flushing can occur. Sildenafil lasts 4–6 hours, while tadalafil can last up to 36 hours.

Oral Sprays/Sublinguals

Sublingual tablets or sprays may offer a quicker onset of action compared to traditional pills by being absorbed under the tongue and bypassing the digestive system. These can also be easier to use for those with difficulty swallowing pills. However, topical sildenafil gel, if available, would be significantly less effective than oral tablets for achieving erections. Oral medication is generally the more effective option for ED.

Comparing Hims Treatments for Premature Ejaculation (PE)

Hims provides both oral and topical solutions for PE.

Oral Pills (SSRIs)

Hims may use SSRI antidepressants off-label, such as sertraline or paroxetine, to treat PE. These daily medications work systemically by increasing serotonin to help delay ejaculation, but full effects can take weeks. Side effects can include digestive issues and decreased libido.

Topical Spray (Lidocaine)

Hims offers a climax delay spray with lidocaine, a numbing agent applied directly to the penis to reduce sensitivity and postpone ejaculation. This localized action minimizes systemic side effects, and studies show it significantly increases ejaculation latency time. It is fast-acting, working within 10-15 minutes. A potential issue is the transfer of numbing to a partner, though many sprays are designed for quick absorption.

Comparing Hims Treatments for Hair Loss

The main options for hair loss are oral finasteride and a topical spray containing finasteride and minoxidil.

Oral Pills (Finasteride/Minoxidil)

Oral tablets are convenient for daily use. Finasteride works by blocking DHT production throughout the body. This systemic effect can lead to side effects, including sexual side effects, in a small percentage of users. Oral minoxidil also carries some cardiovascular risks.

Topical Sprays (Finasteride/Minoxidil)

Applied directly to the scalp, the topical spray allows finasteride and minoxidil to work locally, significantly reducing the amount of medication in the bloodstream and lowering the risk of systemic side effects like sexual dysfunction. Studies indicate the topical spray can be as effective as oral pills for hair regrowth. The daily application can be messier than taking a pill and requires drying time. While the active ingredients are FDA-approved, the specific compounded topical finasteride spray is not FDA-approved, but is formulated by licensed pharmacies.

Comparison Table: Hims Pills vs. Spray


Feature	Oral Pills (ED, PE, Hair Loss)	Topical Sprays (PE, Hair Loss)
Application	Simple, swallow with water; chewables are also available.	Applied directly to the affected area (penis or scalp); can be messier.
Absorption	Systemic (throughout the body), potentially affecting multiple systems.	Localized, acting directly on the target area to minimize widespread effects.
Onset of Action	Varies by medication (e.g., sildenafil 30-60 mins, tadalafil 30 mins). Oral SSRIs for PE take weeks.	Faster for PE (10-15 mins) due to direct application. For hair loss, visible results still take months.
Side Effects	Risk of systemic side effects (headache, flushing, sexual side effects).	Lower risk of systemic side effects. Can cause localized irritation (scalp, numbing transfer).
Convenience	Highly convenient; easily incorporated into a daily routine.	Requires more steps and attention during application.
FDA Status	FDA-approved for ED (sildenafil, tadalafil) and oral finasteride for hair loss.	Compounded sprays are not FDA-approved, though they use approved ingredients and are made in FDA-regulated facilities.

Conclusion

The choice between Hims pills and sprays depends on your condition, priorities, and tolerance for different side effects. For ED, oral medication is the more established and effective treatment. For PE, a topical lidocaine spray offers rapid, localized effects with fewer systemic side effects than oral SSRIs. For hair loss, the decision involves balancing the convenience of a pill with the potentially lower risk of systemic side effects from a topical spray.

Consulting a healthcare provider through Hims is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific needs, considering your medical history. Some compounded medications, while containing FDA-approved ingredients, are not evaluated by the FDA themselves.

How to Choose the Right Treatment

Prioritize speed? Consider sprays for PE or chewable mints for ED for potentially faster results.
Concerned about systemic side effects? Topical sprays for hair loss or PE can reduce the risk of systemic side effects.
Prefer convenience? Oral pills or chewables are generally easier and less messy.
Dealing with multiple issues? Hims offers combination pills for concerns like ED and PE.

Considering these factors and consulting with a healthcare professional will help you make an informed choice for your treatment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

For erectile dysfunction, some compounded oral options like Hims' Hard Mints (chewables) or sublingual sprays from other providers can have a faster onset of action than traditional tablets, as they bypass the digestive tract. However, all options still require sexual arousal to work.

For hair loss, studies suggest topical sprays can be as effective as oral pills, potentially even more so at the scalp, with fewer systemic side effects. For PE, the lidocaine spray has shown significant effectiveness in delaying ejaculation. However, for ED, oral pills are far more effective than any topical gel options that have been studied.

Pills are absorbed systemically and carry a risk of side effects like headaches, flushing, or sexual side effects associated with oral finasteride for hair loss. Sprays, since they act locally, minimize these systemic effects but can cause local issues like scalp or skin irritation or a transfer of numbing agent to a partner.

For conditions like PE that may occur alongside ED, it is possible to use both a topical delay spray (like lidocaine) and an oral ED pill (like sildenafil). However, you should always consult with a healthcare provider before combining any medications to ensure safety and avoid potential interactions.

For most conditions, oral pills or chewables are generally considered more convenient as they can be taken quickly and discreetly. Topical sprays, especially for hair loss, can be messier and require time to absorb properly.

Pricing varies significantly based on the specific medication, dosage, and subscription plan. While generic oral options are often very competitive, the relative cost between a specific oral pill and topical spray depends entirely on the condition being treated and the formulation selected.

Yes, Hims offers a compounded 2-in-1 pill called 'Sex Rx + Climax Control' that combines tadalafil for ED with fluoxetine for PE. A healthcare provider can determine if this is a suitable option for you.