Hims Hard Mints review

Hims Hard Mints are a prescription treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) sold by the telehealth company Hims. Hims’ website says these chewable, flavored mints contain active ingredients like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) and tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis). 

Sildenafil and tadalafil are medications that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which are also two of the most common medications used to treat ED. The Hard Mints are compounded medications that are not FDA-approved, but may be prescribed off-label at the discretion of a healthcare provider  when a patient’s needs cannot be met by a commercially available drug or during shortages. 

Depending on your prescription, Hims offers Hard Mints either as a daily medication or on an as-needed basis. 

In this article, we’ll explain how Hims Hard Mints work, how effective they are at treating ED, and the pros and cons of using a chewable medication compared to traditional tablets. We’ll also look at alternative ED treatments to help you decide whether Hard Mints are the right choice or if there is an option that could be better suited for you.

Note: This article is Ro-sponsored content intended for informational purposes only. It should not be taken as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your condition or treatment, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what Hims Hard  Mints are and whether they might be the right fit for you:

What they are: Hims Hard Mints are compounded medications designed to treat ED. They are chewable tablets available as daily and as-needed formulations, and contain active ingredients sildenafil and/or tadalafil. According to Hims’ website, the amount of active ingredients are personalized to fit the individual's needs. Some potential options include:

• Daily Hard Mints that contain 11.2 mg of tadalafil.

• As-needed Hard Mints that contain 56 mg of sildenafil and 8.5 mg of tadalafil. 

How they work: They are chewed, swallowed, and absorbed in the digestive system. According to their website, as-needed mints can take between 30 and 60 minutes to work.

Pros: Discreet, portable, no pill swallowing, and contains traditional ED ingredients.

Cons: Slower onset than some alternatives, more expensive than generics, a multi-month subscription is required, and Hims’ reputation is mixed.

Good for: Hims says that its Hard Mints are personalized to fit your needs, and are a good option for men who have trouble swallowing pills.

Not ideal for: Men seeking faster results (see our alternative options for suggestions!), budget-friendly pricing (such as generic medications), or month-to-month flexibility.

Find your starter ED treatment

Get started

The active ingredients in compounded Hims Hard Mints — sildenafil and/or tadalafil — belong to a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. These drugs help improve erectile function by supporting the body’s natural ability to create and maintain an erection.

Here’s how PDE5 inhibitors work: When you’re sexually aroused, your brain sends signals that release nitric oxide in the blood vessels of the penis. Nitric oxide then stimulates the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a chemical messenger that relaxes smooth muscle tissue in the penis. As the muscles relax, blood flows more freely into two sponge-like chambers called the corpora cavernosa, causing the penis to expand and harden.

Usually, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP once sexual activity is finished, allowing the erection to subside. In men with erectile dysfunction, this process may not work smoothly; PDE5 might break down cGMP too quickly or not enough blood enters the penis to sustain firmness. PDE5 inhibitors block this breakdown, helping cGMP stick around longer so blood can flow where needed. The result is an erection that’s typically firmer, more reliable, and easier to maintain during sex.

It’s important to note that PDE5 inhibitors don’t create erections on their own. Meaning, you still need sexual stimulation to trigger the release of nitric oxide that sets the whole process in motion. These medications support and amplify your body’s natural erectile response, making them the most commonly prescribed first-line treatment for ED worldwide.

Like other ED medications, Hims Hard Mints use PDE5 inhibitors. This means their side effects are generally expected to be similar to generic or brand name sildenafil or tadalafil medications since they contain the same active ingredients. These effects are typically mild to moderate and often improve as your body adjusts.

The most commonly reported side effects of PDE5 inhibitors include:

• Flushing

• Upset stomach, heartburn, or indigestion

• Headache

• Runny nose or nasal congestion

• Body aches, including back pain

• Temporary visual effects such as color vision changes (objects may seem to have a blue tinge)

Because Hard Mints are compounded chewables and not FDA-approved branded medications, their safety and effectiveness haven’t been evaluated to the same degree as standard prescription drugs. That said, the active ingredients they contain (sildenafil and/or tadalafil) are in FDA-approved medications that are widely used for erectile dysfunction treatment. For detailed safety information on Hims Hard mints, please visit the Hims website. 

Risks and considerations:

• Higher doses of sildenafil or tadalafil can increase the chance of side effects.

• PDE5 inhibitors are not suitable for men with certain heart conditions or blood pressure abnormalities. In addition, PDE5 inhibitors may not pair well with certain drugs used to treat these conditions, such as nitrates or blood pressure medications. Combining them with sildenafil or tadalafil may cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.

• As with any prescription medication, these should only be taken under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider.

In short, the side effects of Hard Mints are likely to mirror those of traditional ED medications. Most men tolerate PDE5 inhibitors well, but they’re not appropriate for everyone, particularly individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions. For specific medical advice about your own condition and treatment, please talk to your medical provider.

Still considering whether Hard Mints could be right for you? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons: 

Pros

• Personalized: Hims says its Hard Mints are personalized to fit your needs.

• Discreet, chewable format: Hard Mints offer a minty alternative to traditional ED pills — no swallowing required.

• Contain active ingredients in traditional ED meds: They contain well-studied PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, which are  also found in Viagra and Cialis. These ingredients are in medications with a strong track record of efficacy and safety.

• Options for higher tadalafil doses: Unlike the standard daily low-dose tablets (2.5 mg or 5 mg), Hard Mints can be compounded with higher amounts of tadalafil to suit individual needs.

• Convenient online ordering: Through Hims' telehealth system, the entire process, from consultation through delivery, can be handled remotely, reducing inconvenience associated with numerous  in-person visits with a healthcare provider and pharmacy trips.

Cons

• Slower onset time than competitors: Hims says that its Hard Mints typically take around 30–60 minutes to begin working. Comparatively, sublingual options like Ro Sparks can start working in as little as 15 minutes on average, after they dissolve.

• Higher cost than generics: According to a Hims online visit, Hard Mints cost $3.60 to $7.50 per use, depending on the dosage and how many are ordered at a time. This can add up quickly versus traditional generic ED medications or other options available from competitors.

• Multi-month subscription commitment: Hims uses a subscription model, often requiring a multi-month commitment, which can make it more difficult to skip or cancel deliveries. According to a Hims online visit, there are no options to start off monthly for compounded ED meds. There is also a $5 shipping fee on every order. 

• Reputation and regulatory concerns: As of the time of writing, Hims & Hers is under an FTC investigation due to complaints about its advertising practices and difficulty canceling subscriptions. Many online reviews mirror these complaints.

Hims has built significant name recognition in the telehealth space, but its reputation among customers is mixed. On Trustpilot, the company holds an average rating of 3.0 out of 5. Reviews are largely divided between those who appreciate the convenience of online care and those who report negative experiences. The most common complaints focus on billing and refunds, with some users frustrated by difficulties in canceling subscriptions or getting money back for unused products.

The company is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)with an A+ rating, though reviews on BBB reflect similar concerns as Trustpilot. As of 2025, Hims & Hers has accumulated over 3,000 complaints over the past three years, with over 2,000 resolved in the last year alone.

Outside formal review platforms, discussions on Reddit and other forums reveal a comparable mix of experiences. Some users highlight the convenience and discreet nature of Hims products, noting that treatments like Hard Mints are easy to use. Others, however, express dissatisfaction with the mints' performance, pointing out concerns with taste and issues around shipping.

Adding to this reputational complexity is a reported FTC investigation into Hims & Hers’ advertising and subscription practices. Announced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in August 2025, the inquiry centers on whether the company misled customers or made cancellation unnecessarily difficult. Hims has stated that it is cooperating with the FTC. 

Overall, Hims occupies an unusual position: a well-known and accessible telehealth brand with proven products, but one that faces ongoing skepticism about customer service and transparency. For potential Hard Mints buyers, this means the convenience of online ordering from Hims comes with reputational caveats worth considering.

Hims Hard Mints are designed for men who have ED, , who are in good overall health and not taking medications that interact with PDE5 inhibitors, and who need a personalized option to fit their ED needs. If you’ve been prescribed sildenafil or tadalafil in the past but they didn’t work for your lifestyle (for example you have trouble swallowing pills), a provider may consider  Hard Mints as a better fit for you as well. 

Hard Mints can be a good option for men who struggle with swallowing pills or who prefer a minty experience that feels more discreet. They may also appeal to those who want access to higher tadalafil doses than the standard 2.5 mg or 5 mg daily tablets, giving them more flexibility in managing erectile dysfunction.

Who may not want to pick Hims’ Hard Mints?

On the other hand, Hard Mints are not for everyone. Men looking for the most budget-friendly ED treatment or those who prioritize the fastest possible onset may find as-needed Hard Mints less ideal than alternatives, such as generic tablets or sublingual medications.

Like most ED medications, Hard Mints contain PDE5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil and/or tadalafil), which are not safe for men who take nitrate medications for chest pain or certain blood pressure drugs. Combining these medications can sometimes cause dangerous drops in blood pressure. Men with severe cardiovascular conditions, such as a recent heart attack, stroke, or severe arrhythmias, are typically advised to avoid ED medications altogether unless specifically cleared by a healthcare provider.

Beyond medical safety, some men may find Hard Mints less appealing due to their onset time and cost. Hims reports that Hard Mints generally take at least 30 minutes to start working. This is slower than options like Ro Sparks, a sublingual formulation that dissolves under the tongue and can work in as little as 15 minutes on average, after it dissolves.

Others may prefer a different daily form. For example, Ro offers Daily Rise Gummies as a chewable daily tadalafil option, which might be more appealing for those who want a lower daily dose in a gummy format.

In short, Hims Hard Mints may not be ideal for men with certain health conditions, those who need faster results, or those seeking a different everyday ED medication format.

Hims requires you to commit to at least a three-month supply of Hard Mints when ordering, with no monthly option available, according to an online visit. Prices vary depending on whether you choose the daily tadalafil formula or the on-demand sildenafil/tadalafil combination.

• Shipments start at $126 for three months for the combo as-needed Hard Mints (about $42/month).

• At the higher end, a three-month supply of daily tadalafil Hard Mints costs $240 (about $80/month).

This places Hard Mints firmly on the higher side compared to standard generic sildenafil or tadalafil tablets, which can often be purchased at a much lower cost. And since Hims does not currently offer month-to-month flexibility, users must be comfortable committing to  a minimum of 3-months up front before even knowing whether the medication works for them. 

If Hims Hard Mints aren’t for you, there may be more accessible alternatives that better fit your lifestyle. 

If speed matters most to you when it comes to as-needed ED medication, Ro Sparks could be a better choice. Unlike Hard Mints, which are chewed and swallowed, Sparks dissolve under the tongue. Because the tablet is sublingual (i.e. it dissolves under your tongue), the medication can enter your bloodstream more quickly. This means it can work in as little as 15 minutes on average after it dissolves. Sparks includes a similar dose of sildenafil, but more tadalafil in a single tablet (22 mg vs up to 11.2 mg). Plus, unlike as-needed Hims Hard Mints, Ro Sparks  can be ordered monthly — a big plus for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to 3 months before knowing if it works for them.  

For those interested in the convenience of daily Hard Mints but in a different chewable format, there are also daily ED medications in gummy form, such as Daily Rise Gummies. These products, which are formulated with tadalafil, are designed for once-daily use to provide around-the-clock coverage. ED gummies may appeal to men who dislike pills or want a familiar gummy form factor. Like Hims Hard Mints, Ro Sparks and Daily Rise Gummies are not specifically FDA-approved for ED but contain individual ingredients that have been FDA approved for the treatment for ED.

If cost is a concern, generic versions of sildenafil and tadalafil are still good options and typically cost less than Hims Hard Mints. However they are typically available in a pill formulation that needs to be swallowed, not chewed. 

In short, whether you choose generics for their value, Ro Sparks for its speed and flexibility, or gummies for their convenience, there are many alternatives to Hard Mints that may better suit your needs and lifestyle.

Daily Rise Gummies

Help treat BPH symptoms with daily tadalafil gummies

Learn more

Hims Hard Mints deliver standard ED ingredients in a chewable form. If you have trouble swallowing pills or if you need a personalized option, this compounded formulation could be a good alternative. But before you commit to three months upfront, here’s what you should consider: 

• Hims as-needed Hard Mints take about 30 minutes to kick in. Chewables still take time to absorb, which means you’ll usually wait about 30 minutes before results kick in — not ideal for men who prefer more spontaneity. Ro Sparks, on the other hand, starts working just 15 minutes (on average) after they dissolve since they are taken sublingually or under the tongue. 

• Multi-month upfront pricing can be off-putting. Hims doesn’t appear to offer monthly subscriptions to start off, meaning you have to spend over $100 to get started. This may be a downside for men looking to test the waters with compounded ED meds. 

• Company reputation is mixed. Hims has a 3.0 rating on Trustpilot, and reviews mention issues with cancellations and refunds. The company has also faced FTC scrutiny over its advertising practices, which may cause some buyers to pause.

The TL;DR: If you value a chewable format and are comfortable with higher upfront costs, Hims Hard Mints could be worth considering. But if you’d rather pay less, have more flexibility, or want faster-acting options, generics or alternatives that are similarly used off-label for ED like Ro Sparks and Daily Rise Gummies may be better suited to your needs.