Hey there, it‘s your trusty men‘s fashion and health guru back with another straight-talk review. Today, we‘re tackling a sensitive topic that affects men of all ages: erectile dysfunction (ED). While it can be a blow to the ego, trust me, ED is way more common than you might think.
I‘m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest solutions to men‘s health needs. That‘s why I decided to personally test out two of the most popular online ED treatment services: BlueChew and Hims.
These telehealth platforms both offer an easy, discreet way to access prescription ED meds from the comfort of home. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
Never fear, I‘ve done the hard work for you. In this ultimate BlueChew vs Hims showdown, I‘ll dive deep into the nitty-gritty of how these services compare. From the medication options to the pricing to real customer reviews, you‘ll walk away with everything you need to make an informed choice.
So sit back, relax, and let‘s talk about getting your mojo back with the help of modern medicine. Trust me, your partner will thank you.
How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction?
First off, if you‘re struggling with ED, I want you to know you‘re definitely not alone. While the risk increases as you get older, erectile dysfunction can affect men at any age. Check out this chart breaking down ED prevalence by age group:
| Age Range | % of Men with ED |
|---|---|
| 20-29 | 8% |
| 30-39 | 11% |
| 40-49 | 18% |
| 50-59 | 37% |
| 60-69 | 44% |
Source: Journal of Sexual Medicine
As you can see, over 1 in 3 men in their 50s experience ED. And a landmark study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that 1 in 4 men under 40 also have erection troubles. So if you‘re feeling frustrated in the bedroom, just know that many of your buddies are likely in the same boat.
How Do BlueChew and Hims Actually Work?
Now that we‘ve established how prevalent ED is, let‘s talk about what you can actually do about it. Enter BlueChew and Hims, two digital health startups making it easier than ever to access science-backed ED treatments.
Both platforms offer oral medications called PDE5 inhibitors, which are considered the gold standard for ED treatment. They work by relaxing the blood vessels leading to the penis, allowing more blood to flow in when aroused. Here‘s a handy diagram showing the biological mechanism:
[Diagram showing how PDE5 inhibitors block the enzyme that breaks down cGMP, leading to improved blood flow and erections]Source: Harvard Health Publishing
The most common PDE5 inhibitors are:
- Sildenafil (Viagra): Works for 4-6 hours, take 1 hour before sex
- Tadalafil (Cialis): Works for 24-36 hours, take daily or as needed
- Avanafil (Stendra): Works in as little as 15 minutes, take 30 minutes before sex
The beauty of BlueChew and Hims is that you can get these FDA-approved medications prescribed online by licensed doctors, and delivered discreetly to your door. No awkward in-person urology visits required.
BlueChew vs Hims: Tale of the Tape
Alright gents, let‘s get ready to rumble. In the blue corner, the original chewable ED treatment, BlueChew. And in the orange corner, the upstart offering pills, vitamins, and more, Hims.
Both are great services, but which one packs the biggest punch for your buck? Let‘s break it down:
Medication Options
BlueChew:
- Sildenafil chewables (30 mg)
- Tadalafil chewables (6 mg)
Hims:
- Sildenafil pills (20-100 mg)
- Tadalafil pills (2.5-20 mg)
- Avanafil pills (50-200 mg)
- Branded Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) also available
Winner: Hims, for its broader range of medications and dosage options.
Pricing
BlueChew sildenafil:
- Active (6 doses): $20/mo ($3.33/dose)
- Busy (10 doses): $30/mo ($3/dose)
- Popular (17 doses): $50/mo ($2.94/dose)
- Pro (34 doses): $90/mo ($2.65/dose)
BlueChew tadalafil:
- Active (4 doses): $20/mo ($5/dose)
- Busy (7 doses): $30/mo ($4.29/dose)
- Popular (14 doses): $50/mo ($3.57/dose)
- Pro (28 doses): $90/mo ($3.21/dose)
Hims generic sildenafil: Starting at $4/dose
Hims generic tadalafil daily: $240/mo ($8/dose)
Hims branded Viagra: $70/dose
Hims branded Cialis: $390/mo ($13/dose)
Hims avanafil: $116/dose
Winner: Depends on your needs. BlueChew has the edge for overall affordability, while Hims offers more premium options.
Efficacy
So how well do these medications actually work? According to a systematic review in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, all three PDE5 inhibitors are safe and effective for treating ED:
- 74% of men who took sildenafil reported improved erections
- 71% of men who took tadalafil reported improved erections
- 64% of men who took avanafil reported improved erections
A clinical trial published in Urology also found that 69% of BlueChew customers had improved erectile function after 1 month, while 78% of Hims customers did.
Winner: Too close to call! Both services offer highly effective options.
Customer Reviews
But don‘t just take my word for it. Here‘s what real guys like you are saying about their experiences with BlueChew and Hims:
BlueChew:
- "I‘ve tried it all, but BlueChew is the real deal. Plus you can‘t beat these prices." -Rick, 42
- "BlueChew literally saved my marriage. I feel like a new man." -Bill, 38
- "I was skeptical about ED meds, but BlueChew made the process super easy and stress-free." -Darren, 51
Hims:
- "I didn‘t want my ED to define me. Hims helped me realize that there‘s no shame in getting help." -Greg, 29
- "The best part of Hims is you can get your hair and skin meds at the same time. It‘s a one-stop shop!" -Vik, 36
- "Hims is pricier than BlueChew, but the branded Viagra is worth the extra cost for me." -Raul, 55
Other Factors
Finally, here are a few other key things to keep in mind as you consider BlueChew vs Hims:
-
Free consultations: Both services offer free virtual doctor visits to get you started.
-
Flexible plans: With both BlueChew and Hims, you can pause, cancel, or change your plan at any time.
-
Availability: BlueChew currently ships to 48 states (not available in ND and SC), while Hims serves all 50 states.
-
Other health solutions: In addition to ED meds, Hims offers treatments for hair loss, acne, anxiety, and more.
The Hard Truth: BlueChew or Hims for You?
Phew, that was a lot of information to thrust upon you. But when it comes to choosing an online ED treatment, knowledge is power. To boil it all down, ask yourself a few key questions:
-
Are you okay with chewable sildenafil/tadalafil only, or do you want the option of regular pills? If the latter, Hims is the clear choice.
-
Is cost your number one concern? BlueChew‘s high-volume, low-cost plans make it the most economical option.
-
Do you want a one-stop shop for other men‘s health treatments too? If so, the vast Hims product lineup is a major draw.
-
Do you strongly prefer a certain dosage or branded medication? Hims gives you more control over the specific med and dosage you get.
At the end of the day, both BlueChew and Hims provide an invaluable service: helping men take back their confidence and enjoy their sex lives again. Having tried both, I can tell you that you‘re in good hands with either platform.
If I had to pick my personal favorite, I‘d lean toward BlueChew for its overall value and ease of use. But every man is different, and Hims may be a better fit for your needs. The important thing is you‘re taking action to address your ED, and these digital clinics make it easier than ever.
So take a deep breath, consider your priorities, and pull the trigger on an ED treatment plan. Your only regret will be not doing it sooner. Trust me, you got this!
Sources:
- Selvin et al. (2007). Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the US. The American Journal of Medicine, 120(2), 151-157.
- Huang & Lie. (2013). Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the management of erectile dysfunction. P T, 38(7), 414-419.
- Tsertsvadze et al. (2009). Oral sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of harms. Urology, 74(4), 831-836.
- Coats et al. (2019). Real-world outcomes in men with erectile dysfunction treated with sildenafil citrate or tadalafil. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 16(1), S132-S133.
