What Happens if You Stop Taking Hims?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research on hair loss, once you stop taking medications like minoxidil, all the newly grown hairs will eventually fall out. The consequences of stopping treatment depend heavily on the specific medication, with effects ranging from the simple reversal of progress to the emergence of discontinuation syndromes. It is crucial to understand what happens if you stop taking Hims medications, as each treatment plan has its own unique risks and outcomes.

Quick Summary

Stopping Hims treatments can cause different outcomes depending on the medication. For hair loss, reversing progress is common. For antidepressants, withdrawal symptoms can occur. ED medication effects cease once the drug is out of your system. A doctor should always be consulted before making changes to a treatment plan.

Key Points

Hair Loss Reversal: Stopping finasteride or minoxidil will likely lead to the reversal of hair regrowth and the return of hair loss within several months to a year.
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome: Abruptly stopping SSRIs can potentially cause symptoms such as flu-like feelings, dizziness, mood changes, and other withdrawal effects.
ED Medications Have No Withdrawal: The effects of ED medications like sildenafil simply wear off over time, and there are typically no associated withdrawal or rebound effects.
Always Consult a Doctor: It is strongly advised to speak to a healthcare provider before stopping any prescription medication, especially SSRIs, to develop a safe plan for discontinuation.
Underlying Condition Returns: For most treatments obtained through services like Hims, discontinuing the medication means the underlying condition (such as hair loss, anxiety, or ED) will likely return to its state before treatment.
Gradual vs. Abrupt Stopping: Tapering off SSRIs is generally recommended, while stopping hair loss or ED medication can often be done abruptly, although consulting a doctor is still advisable.
Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS): A rare and debated condition involving persistent side effects after stopping finasteride has been reported by a small number of men.

Before considering stopping any medication, including those prescribed via telehealth services like Hims, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. Abruptly halting certain medications can lead to specific physiological consequences, which vary significantly depending on the type of medication, such as treatments for hair loss, mental health conditions, or erectile dysfunction.

Stopping Hair Loss Medications

For individuals using hair loss treatments like minoxidil and finasteride, discontinuing the medication typically results in a reversal of any hair regrowth achieved and the resumption of hair loss. These medications work by intervening in the natural process of hair loss, and their benefits are usually dependent on continuous use.

Discontinuing Finasteride

Finasteride functions by inhibiting an enzyme that plays a role in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair follicle miniaturization. Upon stopping finasteride, DHT levels in the body are likely to return to pretreatment levels. This can lead to the return of hair loss, often within several months to a year after cessation. While most side effects typically resolve after stopping finasteride, some individuals have reported persistent issues, a condition referred to as Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS).

Discontinuing Minoxidil

Minoxidil is believed to promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles. The hair growth achieved with minoxidil is generally maintained only through consistent application. Stopping minoxidil usually results in hair growth ceasing, and any new hair may gradually shed within several months to a year. There are typically no withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping minoxidil, other than the potential return of the initial condition.

Stopping Mental Health Medications (SSRIs)

For those prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), discontinuing treatment, especially abruptly, can potentially lead to Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome (ADS).

Discontinuing SSRIs

SSRIs influence neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Suddenly stopping these medications can result in withdrawal symptoms as the brain adapts. Symptoms of ADS can include dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. Healthcare providers often recommend a gradual tapering schedule to help minimize or prevent these effects. The original symptoms of depression or anxiety may also return and could potentially be more intense than before treatment.

Stopping Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Medications

ED medications such as sildenafil and tadalafil, often prescribed on an as-needed basis, do not typically cause withdrawal or rebound effects upon discontinuation.

Discontinuing Sildenafil and Tadalafil

These medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis in response to sexual stimulation. Their effects are temporary, lasting only as long as the medication is active in the body. Once the medication is metabolized and eliminated, its physiological support for achieving an erection ceases. There are typically no withdrawal symptoms or rebound effects associated with stopping these types of medications.

Comparison of Stopping Different Hims Medications


Feature	Finasteride (Hair Loss)	Minoxidil (Hair Loss)	SSRIs (Mental Health)	ED Meds (Sildenafil/Tadalafil)
Effect Reversal	Hair loss resumes within months.	Hair loss resumes within 6-12 months.	Original symptoms may return or rebound.	Drug's effect ceases once metabolized.
Withdrawal Risks	No typical withdrawal, but rare PFS reported.	No withdrawal symptoms.	Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome (ADS) is possible.	No withdrawal symptoms.
Recommended Action	Consult a doctor; can stop abruptly.	Consult a doctor; can stop abruptly.	Consult a doctor; require gradual tapering.	Consult a doctor; can stop as needed.

The Critical Role of Your Healthcare Provider

Before stopping any Hims medication, it is essential to consult with your prescribing healthcare provider. They can help you understand the potential risks and develop a safe strategy for discontinuation, especially for medications like SSRIs which often require a gradual tapering process. Your provider can also discuss alternative treatment options or management strategies if you are considering stopping due to side effects, cost, or other reasons. Stopping any long-term medication should ideally be a planned process discussed with a medical professional.

Conclusion Stopping treatments obtained through services like Hims can lead to varying outcomes depending on the specific medication. For hair loss treatments, discontinuing generally means a return to the underlying condition and the loss of any progress in hair regrowth. Stopping SSRIs carries potential risks of withdrawal symptoms and the recurrence of the original condition, often necessitating professional guidance for a safe tapering process. ED medications are typically taken on an as-needed basis, and their effects simply subside once the drug is no longer active in the body. It is always recommended to consult your healthcare provider before stopping any medication, particularly those prescribed for chronic conditions, to ensure a safe transition and the best possible health outcome. For further information on discontinuing antidepressants, resources like Harvard Health Publishing can be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

While you can typically stop taking finasteride and minoxidil abruptly, the primary consequence is that your hair loss will likely resume within a few months, and any hair gains may be lost. It is best to consult with a doctor before making this decision.

Once you stop finasteride, your body's DHT levels generally return to baseline within about two weeks. As a result, hair loss will typically resume within several months to a year after discontinuation.

Stopping antidepressants abruptly can potentially cause Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome (ADS), with symptoms like dizziness, nausea, flu-like feelings, and anxiety. It can also lead to the return of the underlying condition. A healthcare provider should always supervise the process of tapering off these medications.

No, stopping ED medications like sildenafil or tadalafil will not typically cause a rebound effect where your erectile dysfunction becomes worse. The drug simply leaves your system, and its effects cease.

For most common side effects associated with Hims medications, they should subside after you stop taking the drug and it is cleared from your system. However, in rare instances, such as with Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS), some side effects may persist.

Switching or overlapping treatments can potentially be done under a doctor's supervision. For example, some individuals transition between minoxidil and finasteride. The effectiveness of this strategy varies, so it should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

When you stop applying minoxidil, the stimulatory effect on hair follicles is typically lost. Any hair growth you gained will gradually shed, with most progress often lost within six to twelve months.