Male Excel vs Hims (2026): Different Treatments, Different Bills

Male Excel vs Hims is not a like-for-like TRT choice. Male Excel offers replacement testosterone; Hims currently offers enclomiphene, a different medicine. Male Excel's injection base is $219 monthly before extras; Hims' lowest rate requires $990 upfront. Neither is the first stop for an unconfirmed diagnosis or near-term fertility plans.

By TRT Provider Guide · Last verified September 2026 (sources checked September 16, 2026) · Public-source editorial research, not clinically reviewed · Method: How We Review TRT Providers

The part most people miss is what each company's "$99" actually buys, and what their own terms say happens to your money if you quit. We pulled both apart line by line below.

Best for: comparing two cash-pay offers after discussing the treatment with a clinician. Not for you if: you need insurance billing or an FDA-approved testosterone product from these current offers. Trying for a baby soon or working from only one low result? Start with a clinician, not a subscription. [1] [9] [16] [17] [14]

How we make money: TRT Provider Guide has affiliate relationships with Male Excel and Taurus Meds and may earn commissions through qualifying links. Hims and Hone Health links here are ordinary information links. Provider links here go to public information, not tracked referral or clinical-eligibility pages. Commissions don't decide which option fits you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

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Male Excel vs Hims: what changes at a glance?

Male Excel's current offer includes testosterone itself; Hims' current offer does not. Both use prices that need extra context: Male Excel separates membership from medicine, while Hims' lowest monthly rate requires ten months upfront. Here's the side-by-side comparison, checked September 16, 2026; the rest of the page explains every row. [1] [9]

Want testosterone itself? Check Male Excel's published state exclusions and service FAQ → Reading the FAQ is not a clinical assessment. A licensed prescriber must decide whether treatment is appropriate.

Not sure you need testosterone at all? Use TRT Provider Guide's Find My TRT Path tool to organize the next questions.

The three numbers that matter

• Male Excel testosterone: $99 to start, then a required $99 monthly membership plus advertised medicine-bundle rates from $120–$132 a month, before shipping and other possible extras. [1]
• Hims enclomiphene: from $99 a month only on a 10-month plan paid upfront ($990), plus the applicable testing charge. The $69 panel and $94 kit appear in different published offers. [9] [12] [13]
• December 31, 2026: the current federal extension permits qualifying testosterone prescribing without a prior in-person visit through this date. Audio-video care and other federal and state conditions still apply. [23] [24]

TRT Provider Guide is the independent decision resource for testosterone replacement therapy — helping U.S. adults understand how low testosterone is evaluated, compare online and local care models and providers, and choose the next step that fits their health needs, fertility plans, budget, state, and care preferences, with every material claim verified and dated.

Jump to what sounds like you:

• I want testosterone itself → What you get with Male Excel
• Fertility is a priority → Which is better if you want kids?
• I want a pill rather than testosterone → Does Hims actually offer TRT?
• I'm not sure I even have low T → How should low testosterone be confirmed?

What we actually verified — September 16, 2026

Checked: Both companies' live storefronts, pricing pages, FAQs and terms; Male Excel's guarantee; Hims' lab-kit page, price guide and cancellation help; FDA updates; the current Kyzatrex label; DEA rules; the FTC complaint and Hims' response; and the Endocrine Society's guideline and July 2026 statement.

Provider-stated, not tested by us: follow-up schedules, clinician access, what membership includes, and delivery.

Not confirmed: Your complete checkout bill, Male Excel's applicable shipping fee and refill calendar, Hims' renewal charge after month 10, which Hims lab offer applies to you, and exactly which SERM is in Male Excel's Triclozene.

We did not open an account, buy a plan, cancel anything, or receive treatment. Full details below.

The right TRT provider is not the same for every person — it depends on whether low testosterone has been properly evaluated, your symptoms and health history, your fertility plans, your state, your insurance or cash-pay preference, your treatment-format preference, your budget, and whether online or in-person care is the better starting point. Some situations belong with primary care, urology, endocrinology, reproductive urology, or urgent or emergency care when the symptoms warrant it. Because a general answer cannot resolve those for you, use TRT Provider Guide's Find My TRT Path tool to map your situation to the right care route and the questions to ask before you pay.

Find My TRT Path is educational. It doesn't diagnose low testosterone, decide eligibility, or guarantee a prescription.

This page is educational information, not medical advice. Chest pain or trouble breathing needs emergency care. A new swollen, painful leg needs urgent medical assessment; emergency care is needed if breathing trouble or chest pain is also present. [19]

Scope: this comparison covers U.S. adult men evaluating testosterone deficiency, not adolescent care, gender-affirming hormone care, or performance-enhancing use.

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Does Hims actually offer TRT?

Not as of September 16, 2026, according to Hims' current storefront and FAQ. Hims' "Testosterone Rx" plans use compounded enclomiphene, a pill that signals the body to make more of its own testosterone. Hims lists a weekly testosterone shot and an oral capsule called Kyzatrex as FDA-approved products coming in 2026, with no current price or start date. [9] [10]

Hims' own FAQ says it doesn't currently offer TRT injections. Its current low-T options are a daily pill with enclomiphene alone, or enclomiphene plus tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis). Its newer "Testosterone Rx+" adds a supplement blend of zinc, vitamins B6 and B12, and L-arginine. [9] [11]

A quick translation, because the words matter here:

• TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) means you take testosterone itself. [17]
• Enclomiphene is a different kind of drug, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It nudges your pituitary gland to release more luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the signals that tell your testes to make testosterone and sperm. [28]
• Enclomiphene was studied in men with secondary hypogonadism: low testosterone with low or inappropriately normal LH, rather than primary failure of the testes. Those results do not establish that it works for every cause of low testosterone, and one LH result does not choose a treatment. [17] [28]

So Hims isn't a cheaper version of Male Excel. It's a different treatment.

"Coming in 2026" isn't something you can buy yet

Hims' testosterone storefront shows two tiles marked "Coming in 2026": a once-weekly testosterone cypionate shot and Kyzatrex, a twice-daily oral testosterone capsule. Both are labeled FDA-approved. Neither has a price or a launch date, and Hims' own fine print says the expected launch may change. [9]

A product tile marked "Coming in 2026" is not evidence that you can obtain that product today. Hims' current FAQ still says TRT injections are not available. [9] [10]

Our take: if you want testosterone, don't prepay 10 months of enclomiphene hoping to switch later. You'd be buying the wrong drug while you wait.

One label detail if you're waiting for Kyzatrex

The current Kyzatrex label, updated August 26, 2026, says safety and efficacy in men with age-related hypogonadism have not been established. Its change log says the older contraindication for hypogonadism without a structural or genetic cause was removed in July 2025. A limitation saying evidence is unestablished is not the same as a current contraindication. [19]

The rules around that language are moving. In June 2026, the FDA asked makers of testosterone products to remove the age-related limitation from their labels. That request does not mean every published label has already changed. If Hims launches Kyzatrex, ask whether you fit the label as it reads that day. [21] [22]

Male Excel's pill isn't testosterone either

Male Excel lists Triclozene under its "Testosterone Therapy" menu. It isn't replacement testosterone. Its product page describes a SERM plus desiccated thyroid and selenomethionine, a selenium compound. [7]

Here's the catch: Male Excel's own pages name two different SERMs for this pill. The product page headline says enclomiphene citrate. That same page's title tag, and Male Excel's pricing page, say clomiphene citrate ("generic Clomid"). Clomiphene is a mix of two forms of the drug; enclomiphene is one of those forms. They are related, but not the same medicine. [1] [7] [29]

If you're considering Triclozene, ask Male Excel in writing which one is in your bottle, and read the pharmacy label when it arrives.

Same word, different drug

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Male Excel or Hims: which one fits you?

Pick the treatment discussion first, then the company. If a clinician is considering replacement testosterone, Male Excel is the only one of these two currently listing it as available; Hims' current plan is an enclomiphene discussion with a lower advertised rate only on some commitments. Several kinds of readers should start with neither. [1] [9] [13] [17]

Want to compare Male Excel's stated 60-day reviews with the bill? Read its current membership and medication prices →

Leaning toward a pill instead? Read Hims' current testosterone-program offer before you prepay (an ordinary information link). Somewhere in between? Find My TRT Path will help organize the questions to ask.

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How much do Male Excel and Hims really cost?

Male Excel's published rates produce a $2,727 12-month base estimate for shots or $2,871 for cream, before extras; those are not complete first-year bills. Hims' enclomiphene is from $99 a month only when you prepay 10 months ($990), plus the applicable testing charge. A "monthly price" is not the same as what leaves your account on day one. [1] [9] [12] [13]

What the estimate means: the stated start fee plus 12 months at the advertised monthly rates. It is a comparison baseline, not a checkout quote or a payment schedule.

The cost ledger

The math: Male Excel shot = $99 + ($99 × 12) + ($120 × 12). Cream = $99 + $1,188 + ($132 × 12). Triclozene = $99 + $1,188 + ($95 × 12), or $2,727 using the conflicting $120 medicine card. Hims 10-month plan = $99 × 10 = $990; $99 × 12 = $1,188 is an annualized rate only. These calculations use published starting rates checked September 16, 2026, not patient quotes. [1] [9] [13]

What prevents a complete first-year total: Male Excel's exact refill dates, applicable shipping, any replacement or additional tests, optional medicines and taxes; Hims' applicable kit price or credit, exact formulation, renewal amount and processing date. A missing charge is not a $0 charge. [1] [4] [12] [14]

Why Male Excel's advertised price isn't your monthly bill

Male Excel's pricing cards say "starting at" $95, $120, or $132 a month. The fine print on those same cards says the price doesn't include the Medical Membership, which is required. Add the $99 membership and a shot plan is $219 a month before shipping. [1]

Two more things to plan for:

• Your charges will alternate under the published every-other-month model. Medicine ships as a 60-day supply and bills every other month, while the membership bills monthly. For shots, that's $339 in a refill month ($240 for medicine plus $99 membership) and $99 in a month without a refill, before the start fee and extras. [1]
• You may pay for a seventh fill inside year one. Six 60-day fills cover 360 days. If fills land on a strict 60-day clock starting on day one, a seventh charge can arrive before your first anniversary. With 12 membership charges and the start fee, that would push the shot base to $2,967 (cream: $3,135), before extras. Seven fills cover 420 days, so some medicine extends past year one. We couldn't confirm which schedule Male Excel uses, so ask.

Male Excel also says your price changes if your dose changes. A separate Male Excel subdomain pricing page advertises a $30 monthly membership and $20 shipping per order; the main site says $99 for membership and does not state its shipping amount. We could not confirm that the subdomain terms apply to the main offer. Don't mix the cheapest line from one offer with a different offer's medicine price; go by the written quote you get before payment. [1] [8]

Why Hims' "$99 a month" isn't a monthly bill either

That rate only applies to the 10-month plan, and Hims says it's paid upfront and in full. The treatment commitment is $990 plus the applicable testing charge, not a series of $99 monthly payments. The public pages do not establish your exact sequence of charges before and after clinical approval. [9] [12] [13]

The lab kit price depends on which Hims page you read. Hims' January 2026 price guide lists a $94 initial lab kit. Its current Men's Core Panel page says $69, with a $69 credit toward a later eligible Hims purchase if you return the kit within 30 days (restrictions apply). A credit isn't cash back. Ask which offer applies before you pay. [12] [13]

Plan for month 11, too. Hims' terms say subscriptions renew automatically, your first renewal may be charged early, and you need to cancel at least two days before the renewal processing date. If a second 10-month block renews inside your first year at the same $990 rate, you'd have paid $1,980 in treatment-plan fees, covering 20 months—not used 20 months of medicine. The actual next charge was not confirmed. [14]

Pill vs. pill: Hims enclomiphene vs. Male Excel Triclozene

These aren't identical medicines, but they sit in the same lane: a daily pill instead of testosterone.

• Hims: its January guide lists $99–$199 monthly equivalents depending on plan length, with medicine, shipping and provider support described as included. At those rates, the listed plan totals are $990 for 10 months, $695 for 5 months and $597 for 3 months; confirm the current offer for your formula. [13]
• Male Excel Triclozene: a $194 monthly base using the $95 medicine card plus $99 membership, or $219 using the conflicting $120 card, plus the $99 start fee and extras. The product page includes thyroid and selenium ingredients; Male Excel states it reviews treatment every 60 days. The exact SERM and clinical need for each ingredient still need an answer. [1] [2] [7]

On the advertised $99 rate versus Male Excel's $95 medicine card plus membership, Hims has the lower annualized base: $1,188 versus $2,427 including Male Excel's start fee. That is a rate comparison, not a verified first-year cash saving: the medicines differ, Hims requires prepayment, and the extra charges and renewal terms are not all resolved. [1] [9]

HSA and FSA: direct payment isn't the same as reimbursement

Neither company bills insurance for the compared hormone program. HSA/FSA payment and reimbursement are separate questions. [1] [10] [14] [32]

• Male Excel labels its medicines "FSA/HSA Eligible," and its FAQ says you may be able to use FSA, HSA, or HRA funds for reimbursement. It also says it doesn't provide letters of medical necessity, which some plans require. [3]
• Hims says it doesn't accept FSA or HSA as direct payment for these plans. That statement alone does not determine whether your administrator could reimburse an eligible expense. [10] [32]

If your plan does accept an expense and your tax situation permits the benefit, paying with pre-tax dollars can lower the after-tax cost. At a 22% federal rate, $2,727 × 22% = $599.94, or roughly $600—but only if that whole amount is eligible under the relevant rules. That's an illustration, not tax advice or a Male Excel-only saving. Don't assume every membership charge qualifies; check with your plan administrator first. [32]

The honest downside of Male Excel

Male Excel does not give you one flat, all-in price, and this comparison does not establish it as the cheapest route to testosterone therapy. If the lowest possible bill is your top priority, compare an in-network doctor's quote or a lower-cost cash quote (see the care routes below) before committing. [1]

Male Excel charges for care separately from medicine: that $99 membership pays for its stated provider reviews and follow-up testing, according to the company. The homepage describes a provider review every 60 days and blood work every six months. Those are useful service commitments to compare, not proof of better care or a guarantee that every needed check is included. Hematocrit, the share of blood made up of red cells, needs monitoring during testosterone care; blood pressure requires its own measurement, not a blood panel. Ask what happens sooner if a result or symptom needs attention. [1] [2] [17] [19]

What customers say about cost and follow-up

In a September 11, 2026 Trustpilot review, Walter Lovett wrote that "procedure and cost was explained to me in detail" and praised follow-up. Trustpilot marks the review verified. [34]

A September 13, 2026 review by Benjamin, also marked verified by Trustpilot, was positive overall but questioned why another blood test had not been arranged after almost four months. That is a reason to ask for a written monitoring schedule, not proof that a test was overdue or that a particular schedule is safe. [34]

These are individual experiences, not proof of results or typical costs. Male Excel's Trustpilot score was 4.5 from 6,467 reviews when checked September 16, 2026. The company invites customers to review; Trustpilot's verified label is not our independent check of care or reviewer relationships. We don't use general Hims company reviews to establish how its testosterone program performs. [34]

If the stated review schedule and separate membership fit what you want to pay for, see Male Excel's current pricing and plan details →

Read our full Male Excel cost breakdown · Read our Hims testosterone cost breakdown

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What do you get with Male Excel?

Male Excel describes daily under-the-skin testosterone shots or twice-daily cream, with provider reviews every 60 days and blood work every six months. Its price cards include thyroid medicine, but its homepage says thyroid support is used when clinically appropriate; the current testosterone is compounded, not an FDA-approved product. You pay a monthly membership on top of the medicine. [1] [2] [16]

Best for: men discussing replacement testosterone who want online care, value the stated check-ins, and accept the proposed compounded formulation and schedule. Not for you if: you need an FDA-approved testosterone product, want to use your own pharmacy, or live in one of the 11 excluded states. Near-term fertility plans need a fertility-aware clinician first. [2] [3] [4] [17]

The treatments

• Testosterone cypionate injection: Male Excel describes a small daily shot under the skin with insulin-type syringes. Advertised bundle from $120 a month, before membership and extras. [1] [2]
• Testosterone Lipoderm cream: Male Excel describes twice-daily use. Advertised bundle from $132 a month, before membership and extras. [1]
• Triclozene: the non-testosterone pill covered above. A $95 card is published, but another card says $120; membership and extras are separate. [1] [7]

Male Excel calls its daily approach "microdosing" and says it keeps levels steadier than weekly shots. That's the company's claim. Ask your provider what evidence supports daily dosing for you. [2]

The homepage says its testosterone is compounded in the United States. Male Excel's FAQ names two dispensing pharmacies, AnazaoHealth and WellDyneRx in Florida. These are provider disclosures, not our verification of your assigned pharmacy's current licenses or the product it would dispense. Its terms say it won't send your prescription to a different pharmacy, so you can't use your local drugstore through that arrangement. [2] [3] [4]

The thyroid medicine in the advertised testosterone bundles

Every Male Excel testosterone price card includes a daily desiccated thyroid tablet. That is not proof that every patient must take it: the homepage says thyroid support is used when clinically appropriate. Male Excel's own safety information says the thyroid product is meant for hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), shouldn't be used for weight loss, and isn't an FDA Orange Book product. [1] [2]

There is a separate regulatory issue here. The FDA says animal-derived desiccated thyroid medicines are not FDA-approved and are not eligible for compounding under the usual drug-compounding framework because they are regulated as biological products. It also identifies quality and potency concerns. That does not establish what an individual patient would receive from Male Excel, but it makes the exact thyroid product, manufacturer and reason for prescribing it questions to settle before payment. [30]

Here's the question to ask. Male Excel's starter kit lists free T3 as its only thyroid marker. It doesn't list TSH, the test clinicians commonly use to start checking thyroid function. Ask whether the thyroid medicine is optional, what testing shows you need it, and what a testosterone-only price would be. [6] [31]

Your first test

The $99 start fee covers an online consultation, an at-home finger-prick blood-spot kit, and a treatment plan. The kit checks five markers: total testosterone, estradiol, DHEA-S, free T3, and PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Male Excel says results arrive about five business days after its lab receives your sample, and describes its company-affiliated North Carolina lab as CLIA-certified. We did not independently verify the assigned lab's certificate. [3] [4] [6]

What the starter kit doesn't list: LH, FSH, TSH, or hematocrit. Members can get a larger 54-marker panel later, according to Male Excel. A later panel does not by itself answer which tests are required before the first prescription. Ask whether repeat diagnostic testing and replacement samples cost extra; the terms allow charges for some replacement samples. [2] [4] [6]

Who treats you

Male Excel says you keep one dedicated provider, with reviews every 60 days and full panels every six months. Its site names Peter Fotinos, MD, and Lorna A. Brudie, DO, as clinical leaders; this does not mean either will be your clinician. Care comes through Male Excel Medical, P.A. and related physician-owned practices in several states, according to its terms. Confirm your own prescriber's name, professional license and authority to treat you in your state. [2] [4]

Support is not the same as a medical appointment. Male Excel publishes phone support hours of 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week, and describes access to its care team and medical providers. Those descriptions do not establish response times, same-day appointments, or who responds to an urgent clinical question. Ask for the escalation process before relying on messaging. [1]

Where Male Excel's approach differs from the guidelines

Male Excel says it treats symptoms rather than lab numbers alone and uses the term "optimal" levels. The Endocrine Society's July 2026 statement says symptoms alone don't diagnose low testosterone; its guideline requires compatible symptoms or signs and consistently low results, then an individualized treatment and monitoring plan. The service description is not enough to establish whether your evaluation will meet that standard. Ask: "What testing confirms the diagnosis before you prescribe, and how do you choose and monitor a treatment goal for me?" [1] [2] [17] [18]

Where Male Excel earns credit

Male Excel publishes safety details you can check. You'll find testosterone safety information, a warning about topical testosterone rubbing off on children and partners, Schedule III status, a link to the FDA's MedWatch reporting system, a published state list, and a plain note that DEA and state laws may require an in-person exam. It also advertises no-contract billing and says you can pause treatment anytime; the refund and refill limits still apply. Its terms say medication packaging may not be child-resistant, another point to check when medicines are kept at home. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Read our full Male Excel review

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What do you get with Hims?

Hims' current offer is a daily compounded enclomiphene pill, sometimes combined with tadalafil and a supplement blend, after an at-home blood test and clinical review. Hims describes online messaging and a level check about three months in. Its lowest rate requires ten months upfront; its current FAQ also lists shorter plans, and Hims says it doesn't accept HSA or FSA directly for this program. [9] [10] [11]

Best for: men whose clinician is considering enclomiphene for an appropriate secondary pattern, who want a pill and are comfortable with the exact formulation and prepayment. Not for you if: you want testosterone itself today or require direct HSA/FSA payment. A clinician must evaluate the cause of low testosterone; the enclomiphene trials do not establish a benefit for primary testicular failure. Shorter plans, when available, have higher monthly rates. [9] [10] [13] [28]

How it works

1. Answer an online health intake. [9]
2. Get an at-home lab kit with prepaid overnight return shipping. [12]
3. A provider reviews your labs and history and prescribes treatment only if clinically appropriate. Hims says some states require a video visit first. [10]
4. Hims says it checks your levels about three months in. Ask what additional follow-up is needed for your medicine and what the price includes. [9]

Hims describes ongoing access to its care team through messaging. That is not a promise that a physician is available immediately, that every reply comes from your prescriber, or that messaging is suitable for emergencies. [9] [14]

The lab test

Hims' current Men's Core Panel page lists 22 markers, including total and free testosterone, estradiol, LH, TSH, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, plus cholesterol, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. That's a broader listed starting panel than Male Excel's five-marker kit. LH helps a clinician investigate the cause of low testosterone, but more markers do not by themselves prove a more accurate diagnosis or better care. [6] [12] [17]

One oddity: the panel page says you collect one blood sample, while the FAQ on the same page says you collect two. Neither description establishes two tests on separate mornings. Ask how and when samples are collected and whether a low result is repeated on another day before prescribing. [12] [17]

What enclomiphene can and can't do

• Hims labels its enclomiphene products as compounded and not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded products for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing. [9] [11] [16]
• Hims says research on side effects is limited and lists possible effects such as headache, hot flashes, mood changes, nausea, breast tenderness and fatigue. That company warning is not a measured incidence rate for its exact compounded product. [11]
• Hims flags vision changes, signs of a blood clot and new psychiatric symptoms as reasons to seek medical help promptly. Review the complete safety information for the exact formula with the prescriber; tadalafil-containing plans have additional warnings and interactions. [11]
• The clinical trials discussed here concern selected men with secondary hypogonadism, not men seeking athletic gains or people with normal testosterone. Hims' offer is not proof that enclomiphene is suitable for primary testicular failure. [28]

The supplement blend

Testosterone Rx+ adds zinc, vitamins B6 and B12, and L-arginine. Those ingredients are not testosterone, and their inclusion does not make the compounded combination FDA-approved. Ask what each ingredient is for and whether a plain enclomiphene option is available at your price. [11] [16]

Which pharmacy fills it

Hims' general terms name six partner pharmacies: Apostrophe, XeCare, Curexa, Red Rock, AnazaoHealth, and Strive. The terms permit prescriptions to move among partner pharmacies without advance notice, so check the label on every refill. This network list does not identify which pharmacy will compound your prescription or independently establish its licenses. Hims' terms also describe an outside-pharmacy option for certain prescriptions; that does not guarantee a particular custom blend is available from your chosen pharmacy. [14]

Read Hims' current testosterone offer · Read its full subscription terms · Read our Hims testosterone review

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Are Male Excel's and Hims' current medicines FDA-approved?

The current testosterone preparations Male Excel describes as compounded, and Hims' compounded enclomiphene products, are not FDA-approved products. Male Excel's Triclozene blend also must not be confused with an approved clomiphene product; its own ingredient descriptions conflict. FDA-approved testosterone products do exist, but Hims' announced options remain marked as coming later. [1] [2] [7] [9] [16] [29]

What "compounded" means

Compounding means combining or altering ingredients to make a medicine for a patient's needs. It is not the same as FDA approval: the FDA says it does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing. The lack of approval is neither proof that every preparation is unsafe nor proof that a particular preparation is suitable. The exact ingredients, prescriber, pharmacy and legal compounding pathway matter. [16]

Enclomiphene has no FDA-approved use. A U.S. Defense Department safety program notes that its drug development was discontinued in 2021. Clomiphene is different: an approved clomiphene product may be prescribed off-label for a man, but that does not make enclomiphene or a compounded combination an approved drug. [29]

The 2025–2026 testosterone label changes

• February 2025: The FDA required testosterone labels to add results from the TRAVERSE trial, add blood pressure warnings, and remove boxed-warning language about increased heart attack and stroke risk. [20]
• June 2026: The FDA asked makers to remove the label limitation about age-related low testosterone and to update prostate and enlarged-prostate warnings. [21] [22]

You may still see older warning language on company websites. Male Excel's safety text still mentions a possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke; that does not establish which warnings apply to every dispensed product. In TRAVERSE, rates of cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack and nonfatal stroke were similar with testosterone gel and placebo in the studied men with hypogonadism and cardiovascular disease or risk factors. The current Kyzatrex label reports more pulmonary embolism in the gel group: 0.9% versus 0.5% with placebo. The Endocrine Society also notes more fractures and remaining long-term uncertainty. None of this proves that every compounded product or alternative treatment has the same benefits or risks. [1] [18] [19] [20]

If an FDA-approved testosterone product matters to you, start with primary care, urology or another appropriate prescriber. Ask for the exact product and check coverage with your insurer rather than assuming the visit or prescription will be paid. Compare online and local care.

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Which is better if you want kids?

Testosterone therapy can suppress sperm production, so it is not the starting point when near-term fertility is the priority. Short enclomiphene trials found maintained sperm concentrations in selected men, but those results do not guarantee pregnancy or preserved fertility for you. If you're trying now, see a reproductive urologist or another fertility-aware clinician before choosing either program. [17] [28]

The Endocrine Society's guideline recommends against starting testosterone therapy in men planning fertility in the near term. Here's why. Testosterone from outside the body tells your brain to turn down LH and FSH. Those are the same signals your testes need to make sperm. [17] [28]

Questions worth asking any prescriber: Is a semen analysis useful before treatment? What's the plan if sperm counts change? Is a fertility specialist involved? The 16-week enclomiphene studies do not establish long-term fertility or prove that Hims' or Male Excel's exact compounded combinations perform the same way. [28]

Read more about TRT and fertility.

Not sure which route fits your family plans? Find My TRT Path will map the questions for your clinician. It isn't a fertility assessment.

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How should low testosterone be confirmed before you buy either?

Low testosterone isn't diagnosed from symptoms or one number. The Endocrine Society calls for symptoms or signs plus consistently low, accurately measured testosterone, confirmed with repeat early-morning fasting testing. Neither company's public pages fully explain whether two separate morning tests are required and included before prescribing, so ask; missing website detail is not proof that testing never happens. [17] [18] [6] [12]

The Endocrine Society's guideline and its July 2026 statement reinforce the same core standard:

• July 2026 statement: Symptoms alone do not establish low testosterone. Confirm consistently low levels with accurate testing on at least two early mornings, while fasting, and consider the cause rather than treating age alone as a diagnosis. A commonly used threshold near 300 ng/dL is not a diagnosis by itself; results depend on the assay, reference range and clinical context. The statement recommends assays certified through the CDC's Hormone Standardization (HoST) program. [18]
• Clinical-practice guideline: Start with accurate total-testosterone testing and repeat confirmation. Measure free testosterone when indicated, such as a borderline total result or a condition affecting sex hormone-binding globulin (a protein that carries testosterone). LH and FSH help distinguish a problem in the testes from a problem in the hormonal signals reaching them. [17]

Four questions to ask before your first prescription

1. Is my diagnostic sample collected early in the morning while fasting, and will a low result be repeated on another day?
2. Will you check LH and FSH to find out why my level is low?
3. Is your testosterone test certified by the CDC's HoST program?
4. What evidence confirms the diagnosis before you prescribe, and which repeat or follow-up tests cost extra?

Once testosterone treatment starts, follow-up includes the response to treatment, adverse effects, testosterone levels and hematocrit. Blood pressure needs separate measurement. Prostate assessment and PSA testing depend on age, risk, shared decisions and the product's labeling—not one universal schedule for every reader. An enclomiphene plan needs its own monitoring discussion rather than an assumed copy of a testosterone protocol. Ask each company what happens, when, and whether it costs extra. [17] [19]

Only one low result so far? Use Find My TRT Path to organize your testing and care-route questions →

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Can you cancel Male Excel or Hims, and get money back?

Canceling future charges, stopping an order already in motion, and getting a refund are three different things. Male Excel advertises no contract and pausing, but its terms generally make sales final, with a separate conditional 90-day guarantee for membership fees. Hims requires cancellation at least two days before renewal processing and generally does not refund partly used plan periods. [2] [4] [5] [14]

How Male Excel's guarantee actually works

The Excel Advantage Guarantee is real, but narrow. Its terms say:

• It's for new members who stay on the protocol for 90 continuous days.
• You must attend all scheduled appointments and follow all recommendations, and Male Excel may ask for proof.
• Improvement is judged by Male Excel's own assessment and what you report to your provider.
• You must ask for the refund within 30 days after the 90-day period ends.
• It refunds membership fees for those first three months only.
• Male Excel can change or end the guarantee without notice, though changes don't affect members already enrolled under the original terms. [5]

The FTC lawsuit against Hims

On July 29, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission, joined by Utah and California (through Los Angeles County Counsel), sued Hims & Hers in federal court in Northern California. The FTC alleges that Hims charged people soon after they submitted an intake form, before a provider consultation. It also alleges that Hims didn't clearly disclose when refills would process, made the cancel option hard to find, and shared sensitive health information with advertising platforms, including Meta and Snap, despite privacy promises. [25] [26]

These are allegations, not findings. Hims calls the claims baseless, says the lawsuit ignores evidence it provided during a nearly three-year investigation, and says it will fight them. The inspected complaint concerns platform practices and does not identify the testosterone program by name. The sources checked for this comparison did not establish a final judgment or settlement. [26] [27]

Why it matters here: Hims' testosterone plans are prepaid subscriptions. The allegations are about how subscriptions start, renew, and end.

Six steps that protect you with either company

1. Screenshot checkout. Capture the amount due today, the renewal amount, the renewal date, and the exact medicine name.
2. Set a reminder before the actual processing deadline, not merely before the month your supply ends. Hims requires at least two days' lead time; Male Excel's FAQ describes a 48-hour refill-notice window. A reminder three or more days before a known processing date gives you more room, but it does not override either policy. [3] [14]
3. Use the published cancellation process and save written confirmation. For Hims, the help article directs you through your subscription's management menu to discontinue the plan; repeat the process for each subscription. Contact support when the article says to do so. [15]
4. Get any refund or guarantee promise by email before you pay.
5. Ask what happens to an order already processing. Canceling a subscription may not stop a shipment in motion. [15]
6. Read the arbitration notice promptly. Both companies describe a 30-day opt-out window, with specific notice requirements and exceptions. Check when your window starts and the exact address or email in your accepted terms; a refund complaint is not automatically an arbitration opt-out. [4] [14]

Copy this message before you pay either company

Before I pay, please send a written breakdown for the exact plan you're offering me. What medicine and form would be prescribed, is it compounded, and which pharmacy would fill it? Which items are optional?

Please list separately: the first visit, test kit, any repeat tests, membership, each medicine, supplies, shipping, follow-up tests and visits, and any other required fees. Which lab price applies, and what are the credit rules?

What's charged before approval, and what's charged after? What's my first renewal date, amount, and cancellation deadline? What happens to an order already processing, a declined prescription, or unused prepaid months?

Please confirm availability in my state, who my clinician and pharmacy will be, and how I can get my full records.

No health details are needed for this general price-and-policy request. Paste it into either company's chat or email, and keep the reply. Clinical intake will separately require health information.

Keep records separate from cancellation. Ask the treating medical group how to obtain complete laboratory reports, prescription details and visit notes, whether a fee applies, and how long release takes. Neither set of public pages established a patient-specific records turnaround. Moving to another prescriber requires that clinician's own review; canceling a subscription does not arrange a safe medical transfer. [4] [14]

The guarantee covers membership, not your whole treatment bill. Read Male Excel's full guarantee conditions before paying →

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Which states do they serve, and what changes after December 31, 2026?

Male Excel says it prescribes hormones in every state except Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Hims says its offer is not available in all 50 states, but the pages checked did not provide a complete program-specific list. The federal extension through December 31, 2026 permits qualifying remote testosterone prescribing without a prior in-person visit; it does not override state law or a company's own limits. [3] [9] [23]

A state exclusion is a company service limit. It doesn't mean testosterone therapy is illegal where you live.

The December 31, 2026 date, in plain English

Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance and requires a valid prescription. Federal law generally requires an in-person evaluation for internet prescribing of controlled substances unless an exception applies. The current DEA/HHS extension allows qualifying DEA-registered clinicians to prescribe Schedule II–V medicines through an audio-video telemedicine encounter without a prior in-person visit through December 31, 2026, subject to legitimate medical purpose and other federal and state requirements. A questionnaire or text chat alone is not what this general testosterone flexibility authorizes. The extension does not settle what requirements will apply to your care in 2027. [23] [24]

If you start testosterone online now, ask: "If federal rules change on January 1, will I need an in-person visit? Who arranges it, and what does it cost?"

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Is Male Excel legit? Is Hims legit?

Both brands publish live care offers and identify the medical groups involved, but a brand name is not a license for every clinician, pharmacy or state. Hims & Hers faces a filed FTC complaint that it denies; Male Excel's prominent results figure comes from its own member reporting, not an independent treatment trial. Check the people and products assigned to you rather than treating a logo or survey as medical proof. [2] [4] [14] [25] [27]

Check the people and organizations behind your care

• Any certification badge: Verify the exact website and current status directly with the badge issuer, such as LegitScript. A badge is not proof that your individual treatment fits.
• Your clinician: Look up their license on your state medical board's website.
• The pharmacy: Check its license with your state board of pharmacy.
• The lab: Look up its CLIA certificate through the CMS lab search.

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Who should skip both for now?

Start with a clinician rather than either subscription if the diagnosis is unconfirmed, near-term fertility matters, or your history needs more evaluation. Prostate or breast cancer, high hematocrit, untreated severe sleep apnea, or a heart attack or stroke within the past six months need special attention before testosterone therapy; those are not automatic eligibility rules for every non-testosterone medicine. If you need insurance billing, an in-network care route is the better starting point. [1] [10] [14] [17]

A few more reasons to pause:

• Your clinician suspects primary testicular failure. A high LH result can be part of that pattern, but it does not establish a diagnosis by itself. Urology or endocrinology can help clarify the cause; the cited enclomiphene trials do not establish benefit for this situation. [17] [28]
• You have new headaches, vision changes or a markedly low result. Tell a clinician rather than trying to choose a pill from a comparison chart. Depending on the full findings, pituitary evaluation may be needed; sudden severe headache or sudden loss of vision needs emergency assessment. [17] [37] [38]
• You're a tested athlete or in the military. WADA prohibits testosterone and the SERM category, including clomifene, under its anti-doping rules. Check the rules and medical authorization process that apply to you. DoD's warning lists clomiphene and enclomiphene as prohibited dietary-supplement ingredients; that is not the same as saying every medically prescribed use is forbidden. Service members should discuss prescriptions with their military clinician. [29] [33]
• Your symptoms may have another cause. The Endocrine Society says to look for other causes and potentially reversible contributors, such as obesity and certain medicines, rather than diagnose from low energy, mood or libido alone. [17] [18]

Want to compare a program that discusses both testosterone therapy and enclomiphene? Hone Health's own comparison page describes both and reports testosterone care in 35 states in its June 2026 account. That is a dated company statement, not our independent confirmation of today's full state list or your eligibility. Read Hone Health's description of its programs → (ordinary information link). [35]

In a state Male Excel skips, or comparing another online TRT clinic? Read Taurus Meds' current program information →, then ask whether your exact service is available in your state and request the full quote. Its homepage is not a verified state-availability or clinical-eligibility check. [36]

Still weighing it all? Use Find My TRT Path to organize your next care decision →

Compare more Hims alternatives

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Where do the companies' own pages disagree?

Some published details conflict; others describe different offers or different policy layers. None should be silently blended into one price or promise. Each is a reason to get your quote, renewal terms and medicine name in writing.

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How did we compare Male Excel and Hims?

We compared public documents, not treatment we received. On September 16, 2026, we read both companies' live pages and terms, checked medical and regulatory claims against the FDA, DEA, FTC, current prescribing information and Endocrine Society guidance, and recalculated every price example. We didn't open an account, buy a plan, contact a clinician, or cancel anything.

What we actually verified — September 16, 2026

Confirmed as published, not independently proven in practice: Hims' current enclomiphene offer and pending testosterone tiles; its ten-month prepayment condition; the different lab offers; its direct HSA/FSA payment statement, cash-pay terms and subscription conditions. Male Excel's main start, membership and medicine prices; conflicting Triclozene prices and names; 11-state exclusion list; pharmacy restriction; general refund and separate guarantee terms; no medical-necessity letters; and the separate subdomain's different membership and shipping terms. Sources 1–15 below document those statements.

Checked against primary medical and regulatory sources: FDA testosterone-labeling updates and requests; current Kyzatrex prescribing information; FDA compounding and animal-derived thyroid information; testosterone's Schedule III status; DEA telemedicine conditions through December 31, 2026; the FTC complaint and Hims' denial; Endocrine Society guidance; and the cited enclomiphene trials. Sources 16–33 below provide the evidence and its limits.

Provider-stated, not tested: Follow-up schedules, access to clinicians and support, delivery, named pharmacy networks, lab certification claims, Male Excel's member-survey result, and Hone Health's dated program and state count. We did not independently verify the licenses of clinicians or pharmacies that would be assigned to you.

Customer-experience signals: The named, dated Male Excel Trustpilot reviews discussed above and the score shown September 16, 2026. They describe individual experiences, not verified clinical results or typical costs.

Still unconfirmed (ask before you pay): Your complete bill; Male Excel's applicable shipping and refill calendar; which SERM is in Triclozene and whether thyroid is clinically needed; Hims' next renewal amount, applicable lab offer and final formulation; each program's exact repeat-testing rules and charges; your assigned clinician, pharmacy and lab; actual response times; records-release timing; and launch dates for Hims' announced testosterone products.

Our method, How We Review TRT Providers, puts the right care route first, then the exact medicine and any dealbreakers, then cost and service. We separate verified facts, provider-stated facts, customer experiences, and our own judgments. This comparison does not use numeric medical scores, and being listed here isn't an endorsement.

Read our editorial standards, privacy policy and corrections process. A dated provider statement is not a promise that your checkout, prescription or care will match it.

Update log:

• September 16, 2026: Public-source verification and calculations updated, including the current Kyzatrex label, thyroid disclosures, shipping-offer difference, review evidence and payment conditions.

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Male Excel vs Hims FAQ: what else should you know?

The two current offers differ in medicine, payment commitment and the questions still needing an answer. These FAQs close the practical gaps; none can decide whether treatment is appropriate for you. Confirm the exact offer and clinical plan before paying.

Does Hims prescribe testosterone?

Not according to its storefront and FAQ checked September 16, 2026. Hims' current offer uses compounded enclomiphene, which isn't testosterone. It lists an FDA-approved testosterone shot and Kyzatrex as coming in 2026, with no current price or launch date. [9] [10]

Is Hims "Testosterone Rx" real testosterone?

No. It's enclomiphene, a pill that signals your body to make more of its own testosterone. Hims labels it as compounded and not FDA-approved. [9] [16]

Is Male Excel real TRT?

Yes, its current offer includes testosterone as a daily shot or a cream. Male Excel says these preparations are compounded, so they are not FDA-approved products. Its Triclozene pill is not testosterone, and its pages disagree about which SERM it contains. [1] [2] [7] [16]

Which is cheaper, Male Excel or Hims?

Hims has a lower advertised monthly equivalent on its ten-month enclomiphene plan: from $99, paid $990 upfront. Male Excel's Triclozene base is $194 using the $95 medicine card plus membership, but another card gives a higher price. For testosterone itself, only Male Excel currently lists an available offer among these two: from $219–$231 monthly plus a $99 start fee and extras. These are not interchangeable medicines or complete first-year bills. [1] [9] [13]

Can I use insurance, HSA, or FSA?

Neither compared program bills insurance. Male Excel labels its medicines HSA/FSA eligible but doesn't provide letters of medical necessity. Hims says it doesn't accept HSA or FSA directly for this program; that does not settle whether an expense is reimbursable. Check the exact expense with your plan administrator. [1] [3] [10] [14] [32]

Can I cancel anytime?

Male Excel advertises no contract and pausing, but its terms generally make sales final and its FAQ gives a 48-hour refill-notice window before billing. Hims requires cancellation at least two days before processing, its first renewal may come early, and partly used periods generally aren't refunded. Canceling a subscription does not necessarily stop an order already processing. [3] [4] [14] [15]

Does Male Excel have a money-back guarantee?

It has a narrow one. If you follow the protocol for 90 continuous days and your symptoms don't improve by Male Excel's assessment, you can request a refund of those three months of membership fees within 30 days. Medicine isn't covered. [5]

Which is better for fertility?

Testosterone therapy can lower sperm production. Short enclomiphene studies found maintained sperm concentrations in selected men, but that is not a guarantee of fertility or pregnancy with either company's products. If you're trying to conceive, discuss the care plan with a reproductive urologist or another fertility-aware clinician first. [17] [28]

Is enclomiphene better than TRT?

Neither is better for everyone. Enclomiphene was studied in selected men with secondary hypogonadism and low or inappropriately normal LH; testosterone replaces the hormone directly. A clinician needs the symptoms or signs, repeat testosterone results, history and cause-specific testing—not one LH number—to decide what is appropriate. [17] [28]

What states doesn't Male Excel serve?

As of the September 16, 2026 check, its hormone-care FAQ excludes Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Confirm the exact program before paying. [3]

When will Hims offer Kyzatrex or testosterone shots?

Hims says "in 2026" but hasn't published a date or price, and its fine print says the launch may change. Its current FAQ lists only enclomiphene-based plans. [9]

Will I need an in-person visit for online TRT in 2027?

That is not settled for your individual care. The current federal extension for qualifying audio-video prescribing without a prior in-person visit ends December 31, 2026; future rules and state requirements may change what is needed. Male Excel already says some patients may need an in-person exam. Ask who would arrange a required visit and what it would cost. [1] [23]

Do I need two blood tests before starting?

For a new diagnosis, the Endocrine Society calls for consistently low testosterone confirmed with repeat early-morning fasting testing, together with compatible symptoms or signs. Two samples from one collection do not establish two separate morning results. Ask whether an additional diagnostic test is required and included before a prescription. [17] [18]

Can I switch from Hims to Male Excel?

Male Excel says it accepts patients transferring from other clinics, but a new clinician decides what evaluation and testing are needed. Moving from enclomiphene to testosterone would be a treatment change, not simply the same prescription at a new company. Get records and check Hims' processing date and refund terms before making a financial commitment; don't change medicines based on this page. [3] [14]

Can I use either one just for erectile dysfunction?

Both sell ED medicines separately. This page compares their low-testosterone care. An ED medicine, enclomiphene, and testosterone are three different treatments, so tell the clinician which concern you want checked. [1] [9]

What if my testosterone is normal but I still feel off?

The Endocrine Society says symptoms alone don't diagnose low testosterone, and many things can cause low energy, libido or mood. Talk with a doctor about other causes, such as sleep, weight, thyroid disease, mood conditions or medicines, rather than assuming that hormone treatment is the answer. [17] [18]

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Still not sure which TRT care route fits you? Use our free Find My TRT Path tool.

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Sources

The numbered links throughout the page lead to the source for each claim. Provider sources establish what the company publishes, not an independent test of its care. Prices, availability and policy statements were checked September 16, 2026; historical documents are identified by their own dates.

1. Male Excel — Main hormone-treatment pricing
2. Male Excel — Homepage, program details and safety information
3. Male Excel — FAQs, states, refills, pharmacies and payment
4. Male Excel — Terms and Conditions
5. Male Excel — Excel Advantage Guarantee terms
6. Male Excel — At-home hormone test
7. Male Excel — Triclozene product page
8. Male Excel — Separate HRT-subdomain pricing offer
9. Hims — Testosterone storefront and FAQ
10. Hims — Testosterone guide and program FAQ
11. Hims — Testosterone Rx+ ingredients and disclosures
12. Hims — Men’s Core Panel, markers and credit conditions
13. Hims — Enclomiphene price guide, January 8, 2026
14. Hims — Terms and Conditions, August 31, 2026
15. Hims Help Center — How to cancel a subscription
16. FDA — Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers
17. Endocrine Society — Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism guideline
18. Endocrine Society — Statement on Testosterone Replacement Therapy, July 16, 2026
19. DailyMed — Current Kyzatrex prescribing information, updated August 26, 2026
20. FDA — Class-wide testosterone labeling changes, February 28, 2025
21. FDA — Testosterone Information, June 2026 update
22. HHS — FDA-requested testosterone labeling updates, June 18, 2026
23. DEA — Telemedicine extension through December 31, 2026
24. DEA — Drug scheduling, including testosterone
25. FTC — Announcement of Hims & Hers complaint, July 29, 2026
26. FTC and states — Filed complaint against Hims & Hers, case 3:26-cv-07871
27. Hims & Hers — Response to FTC lawsuit, July 29, 2026
28. Kim and colleagues — Enclomiphene versus testosterone gel in secondary hypogonadism, randomized trials
29. Department of Defense Operation Supplement Safety — Clomiphene and enclomiphene
30. FDA — Actions to address unapproved animal-derived thyroid medications
31. American Thyroid Association — Thyroid Function Tests
32. IRS — Publication 969: HSAs and other tax-favored health plans
33. World Anti-Doping Agency — Current Prohibited List
34. Trustpilot — Male Excel reviews; named September 2026 reviews and current score
35. Hone Health — Its description of its testosterone and enclomiphene programs
36. Taurus Meds — Current public program information
37. MedlinePlus — Headache danger signs
38. National Cancer Institute — Pituitary tumor signs and symptoms