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In the modern age, the medical industry has embraced the digital realm, making it easier than ever for individuals to access necessary treatments and medications. Gone are long trips to the doctor’s office and tedious paperwork.
Online telemedicine services like BlueChew and Hims offer a convenient and efficient way to obtain erectile dysfunction (ED) medications. But with so many options available, it’s important to understand the differences between these online telemedicine services and choose the one that best suits your needs.
| Criteria | BlueChew | Hims |
| Product Focus | Exclusive focus on ED medications | Offers a wide range of men’s health products |
| Pricing | Varies depending on medication and quantity
$20-$120 monthly |
Varies depending on dosage and brand-name vs. generic options
$3 – $139 per dose |
| Free Trial | Available; first month free with the Active plan or $20 off of other plans | Not available at the moment |
| Reputation | A+ rating from BBB, positive customer reviews | A+ rating from BBB, mixed customer reviews |
| Privacy | HIPAA-compliant, discreet packaging | HIPAA-compliant, discreet packaging |
Telemedicine services have revolutionized how we access prescription medications, especially for erectile dysfunction. With the advent of telemedicine, patients can now consult with healthcare professionals online, receive prescriptions, and deliver their medications directly to their homes.
This process is not only convenient but also ensures privacy. Two of the leading telemedicine services that have significantly streamlined this process are BlueChew and Hims. In the following sections, we will explore the services offered by both companies, their consultation process, pricing, reputation, and customer reviews.
This practice uses technology to facilitate a patient-doctor consultation without needing a physical visit to the clinic. Obtaining ED medications from online pharmacies involves the following steps:
Though the process is generally the same across online pharmacies, the implementation has slight differences. We will explore these differences when comparing BlueChew and Hims.
BlueChew and Hims are both telemedicine platforms that offer virtual medical consultations and deliver ED medications right to your doorstep. However, they differ in their services and product offerings.
BlueChew is a lineup of chewable sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil tablets made in the United States, ensuring a more comfortable and convenient consumption method, especially for those with difficulty swallowing pills. If you are wondering where to buy BlueChew, remember it’s only available on their website. [1]
Hims, on the other hand, focuses on overall men’s health and wellness issues and offers commercially available erectile dysfunction treatments in addition to treatments for other common men’s health issues, including hair loss, premature ejaculation, or other conditions.
In the U.S., the law requires a prescription for ED medications. BlueChew and Hims offer online consultation services where medical providers evaluate your health condition and prescribe appropriate medication.
BlueChew’s consultation process stands out due to its ease and affordability. You must complete a medical profile form after creating an account on their website. This form covers basic information about your age, health and specific questions that help their medical providers determine if BlueChew’s medications are safe for you.
Related: BlueChew Review
Hims is another telemedicine provider that offers a variety of products for men’s health, including ED medications. The process begins by filling out a form on the Hims website detailing your medical history and specific concerns related to ED.
Once the form is submitted, you can immediately consult a healthcare professional via video, phone, or online chat. The doctor will assess your needs and prescribe the appropriate medication.
Related: Hims ED Review
BlueChew offers chewable versions of the following medications:
Hims has a wide array of healthcare products, including hair loss, skincare, and mental health treatments. But for this comparison, we will focus on their ED treatments.
Hims offers both brand-name and generic ED medications, including Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and a less-known option Stendra (avanafil).
The effectiveness of these treatments in treating ED is well established. Sildenafil is known to work within 30 minutes of ingestion and lasts for up to 4-5 hours. Tadalafil, on the other hand, can take longer to start working (around 1-2 hours) but can last up to 36 hours. [2]
Hims Stendra’s active ingredient is avanafil, which increases blood flow to the penis. Avanafil can work in less than half the time of other medications such as sildenafil. It works in 15-30 minutes but still wears off at around six hours. [2]
They also offer chewable Hard Mints with the following active ingredients:
BlueChew offers different pricing plans for its three products: sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. BlueChew’s chewable tablets cost $2.5 to $3.5 per dose. That can save the average user hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year. However, the pricing varies depending on the chosen plan and the quantity of medication.
| Sildenafil | Tadalafil | Vardenafil | ||||
| ACTIVE | 6 x 30mg | $20/month | 4 x 6mg | $20/month | 4 x 8mg | $20/month |
| 6 x 45mg | $30/month | 4 x 9mg | $30/month | |||
| BUSY | 10 x 30mg | $30/month | 7 x 6mg | $30/month | 8 x 8mg | $35/month |
| 10 x 45mg | $40/month | 7 x 9mg | $40/month | |||
| POPULAR | 17 x 30mg | $50/month | 14 x 6mg | $50/month | 15 x 8mg | $65/month |
| 17 x 45mg | $65/month | 14 x 9mg | $65/month | |||
| PRO | 34 x 30mg | $90/month | 28 x 6mg | $90/month | 30 x 8mg | $120/month |
| 34 x 45mg | $120/month | 28x 9mg | $120/month | |||
Hims offers brand name and generic Viagra and Cialis, as well as branded Avanafil, all FDA-approved medications. They also offer Hims Hard Mints: Tadalafil + Sildenafil Chewables, with prices starting at $8 for one use.
Hims’ pricing for ED medications varies depending on the dosage and whether you order directly from their website or have the prescription sent to another pharmacy. Costs can range from a few dollars per pill to close to $1,000 for a monthly supply of brand-name ED medication.
BlueChew has been in business since 2014 and has maintained a strong reputation. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and receive positive customer reviews for the effectiveness of their medications.
While there are some customer complaints related to shipping issues, BlueChew has demonstrated its commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service.
Hims, along with its parent company Hims & Hers, Inc., has been available since 2017 and holds an A+ rating from the BBB. While they enjoy positive product reviews, customers have received negative reports regarding canceled or delayed appointments and difficulty canceling their monthly subscriptions.
They offer a generous free trial for new users using the BlueChew coupon code QUALITY. This trial includes a free online consultation, and if approved, you receive a one-month supply of the active plan for sildenafil, vardenafil of tadalafil chewables for free, or $20 off for any other plan you want to choose.
Related: BlueChew Free Trial
Currently, Hims doesn’t offer any free trial or free samples of ED medications.
BlueChew and Hims take several measures to ensure the privacy of your medical information. They comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws, ensuring that all consultations are as confidential as in-office appointments. [3] They also ship their products in plain packaging, ensuring your privacy.
BlueChew customer reviews are mainly positive, with many satisfied customers enjoying the favorable effects of improving their sexual life.
Hims reviews are also generally positive. The company has 3.8 out of 5 stars from over 1700 customer reviews.
Choosing between BlueChew and Hims ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prefer a chewable form of medication and value a free online consultation and overall ED treatment, BlueChew is the ideal choice.
However, if you’re looking for a platform that offers a broader range of healthcare products beyond ED medications, Hims may be a better fit.
Remember, it’s essential to consult with a medical provider before starting any new medication. By providing accurate information during the online consultation, you can ensure you receive the safest and most effective treatment for your condition.
The primary competitor to BlueChew and Hims is Roman. Roman offers a similar business model but has a wider range of products, including treatments for hair loss, genital herpes, and premature ejaculation.
It’s important to note that while Hims and BlueChew ship monthly, Roman offers monthly and quarterly options.
Your choice between BlueChew and Hims will depend on your specific needs. If you have other conditions besides ED, such as hair loss or skin problems, Hims might be a better choice due to their range of products. However, if you prefer chewable tablets or are looking for a more affordable option, BlueChew might be the right choice.
Yes, you need a prescription to use both BlueChew and Hims. They both provide online consultation services where a medical provider will issue a prescription if deemed appropriate.
BlueChew products are available through their website and can be shipped to most states in the United States. However, there are some exceptions, so it’s important to check if your state is eligible for delivery.
Hims products are available through their website and can be shipped to all 50 states in the United States. They offer nationwide coverage, making their products accessible to many customers.
If you are wondering if you can buy BlueChew in stores, it’s important to know that BlueChew chewables are only available on their official website.
Yes, BlueChew works – for most men with ED, sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil will effectively treat erectile dysfunction. This means most men will be able to use one of these prescription medications to achieve an erection of sufficient strength and duration for sex.
BlueChew and Hims are both reputable online pharmacies that provide accessible and convenient options for ED treatment. BlueChew specializes in chewable forms of ED medications and offers a focused approach to addressing this concern.
Hims, on the other hand, offers a broader range of men’s health products, including ED medications, hair loss treatments, and mental health support.
When deciding between these platforms, consider pricing, reputation, customer reviews, and the specific products and services that align with your needs. You can find the right online pharmacy for your ED treatment journey by making an informed decision.
1. [1] – Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, Smyth HE, Raidhan A, Nissen LM, Steadman KJ. A Difficult Pill to Swallow: An Investigation of the Factors Associated with Medication Swallowing Difficulties. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021 Jan 11;15:29-40. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S277238. PMID: 33469272; PMCID: PMC7810703.
2. [2] – Huang SA, Lie JD. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction. P T. 2013 Jul;38(7):407-19. PMID: 24049429; PMCID: PMC3776492.
3. [3] – Health Insurance Portability and accountability act of 1996 (HIPAA) (2022) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html (Accessed: 05 August 2023).
