How long Hims products last depends on which treatment you’re using. Hims offers medications for hair loss, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and weight loss, and each one works on a different timeline. Some take effect in minutes, others need months of consistent use before you’ll notice a change. Here’s what to expect from each.
Erectile Dysfunction Medications
Hims prescribes two main ED medications, and they differ significantly in how long they work. Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) lasts about 4 to 6 hours per dose. You take it roughly 30 to 60 minutes before sex, and its effects taper off after that window. Tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) lasts much longer, up to 36 hours per dose, which is why it’s sometimes called the “weekend pill.” Tadalafil can also be taken daily at a lower dose, which keeps a steady level in your system so you don’t have to plan around timing.
For both medications, the effects are strongest within the first few hours. Food, especially high-fat meals, can slow absorption and delay how quickly sildenafil kicks in. Tadalafil is less affected by food. Neither medication creates an automatic erection; you still need arousal for them to work.
Hair Loss Treatments
Hair loss is where patience matters most. Hims offers finasteride (oral or topical) and minoxidil, both of which require months of daily use before visible results appear. The 3-to-6-month mark is typically when initial signs of reduced shedding and early regrowth start showing up. But the medication doesn’t reach peak effectiveness until about 12 months of consistent use.
Many people experience a temporary shedding phase in the first few weeks, which can feel counterproductive. This happens because weaker hairs are being pushed out as the growth cycle resets. It’s a normal part of the process, not a sign the treatment is failing.
The critical thing to understand with hair loss treatment is that it only works as long as you keep using it. If you stop taking finasteride, shedding and hair loss typically resume within a matter of weeks. Any regrowth you gained will gradually reverse. This makes hair loss medication an ongoing commitment rather than a temporary fix. Annual check-ins help ensure the treatment is still working well and the dose remains appropriate.
Premature Ejaculation Spray
Hims sells a desensitizing spray containing lidocaine, designed to reduce sensitivity and help delay ejaculation. This is one of the fastest-acting Hims products. Spray formulations penetrate the skin of the glans within 5 to 10 minutes of application, with some reaching effective desensitization in as little as 5 minutes. The general recommendation is to apply it at least 5 minutes before sex.
The desensitizing effect lasts through a typical sexual encounter but isn’t meant to persist for hours. You apply it, wait for it to absorb, and then it works for that session. Some people wipe off excess before intercourse to avoid transferring the numbing effect to a partner.
Weight Loss Medications
Hims now offers compounded GLP-1 medications for weight loss, which work on a completely different timeline than anything else in their lineup. These are typically weekly injections that suppress appetite by mimicking a gut hormone. Each dose reaches maximum effectiveness in about 72 hours, but that doesn’t mean you’ll feel a dramatic change right away.
Most people don’t notice significant appetite suppression after their first dose. GLP-1 treatments use a gradual dose escalation, starting low and increasing over several months. It can take weeks before you feel a meaningful reduction in hunger, and several months before reaching the highest effective dose. This slow ramp-up is intentional, as it helps minimize side effects like nausea.
For tracking progress, losing more than 5% of your body weight in the first three to four months is a strong indicator that the medication is working well for you and that you’re more likely to maintain that loss at the 12-month mark. Research on similar medications shows that people who lose 10% to 15% of their body weight by six months tend to sustain those results over time. Like hair loss treatment, weight loss medications generally require ongoing use to maintain their effects. Stopping often leads to gradual weight regain.
How Long a Hims Subscription Lasts
Hims ships most products on a recurring schedule, typically monthly or quarterly depending on the treatment. Hair loss and ED medications usually arrive in 30- or 90-day supplies. If you’re on a quarterly plan, each shipment is designed to last three months. The subscription auto-renews unless you pause or cancel, and you can adjust your delivery frequency through your account. Keep in mind that some treatments, particularly finasteride for hair loss, are meant to be used indefinitely, so the subscription model aligns with how the medication actually works.