Regardless of the reason(s) why you’re seeking a personalized GLP-1 medication, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is where you’re going to get it from. Not all online providers are created equal, so it’s important to do a little research before jumping in. 

As a personal trainer and nutrition coach, GLP-1s have become a very consistent topic that I speak with my clients about on a daily basis. I help them determine if adding a GLP-1 to their weight loss plan is a good choice, educate them on how to make the most of it should they decide to do so, and then help them connect with a reliable and trustworthy provider.

I’ve researched a lot of weight loss medication providers over the years (yes, I was on this before they became mainstream!) and one thing that I’ve noticed as of late is that most of these providers are essentially the same. They are utilizing the same doctors, same pharmacies, same procedures, etc. The differences lie in accessibility, cost, and customer service.

Two brands that have garnered a lot of attention lately are Eden and Hers. I’ve gone through the intake process with both, and am excited to share my findings with you along with my recommendations for which one (Hers or Eden) might be best suited for you and your situation/needs.

My Experience With Eden

I’ll start with my experience giving Eden’s platform a try. Eden has been around for a few years but has blossomed more lately with the weight loss medication market. Eden does more than just sell GLP-1s, which might be beneficial for those who potentially want additional treatments for things like hair loss, hormones, and longevity (another up-and-coming market in the health space). 

Getting the ball rolling with Eden is pretty similar to pretty much every other telehealth platform out there - you begin by taking a quiz, and inputting some basic information about your current weight, goal weight, etc. Right away, Eden will let you know if you qualify for medication based on your current BMI. But Eden doesn’t have the same BMI limit parameters that most providers do. The standard BMI (body mass index) qualifiers for obtaining a GLP-1 or other weight loss prescription medication is typically >27 with a qualifying medical condition (like hypertension or diabetes) or >30. Eden does this a bit differently, lowering the barrier to entry by allowing those with a BMI of >23 to be qualified.

Eden makes it very clear that if you have a BMI between 23-27, you would be using the medications as “off-label,” which means that you would be using them outside of what the FDA has approved for labeling. This doesn’t mean that the medication isn’t safe to use, it just means that the FDA hasn’t officially approved it for those with lower BMIs. It is still 100% legal to prescribe these medications for those with lower BMIs so long as the person obtaining the medication understands the usage and consents.

I really like that Eden opened the BMI window up to allow people with slightly lower BMIs to get access to these medications should they choose to do so. There are so many women out there who are struggling with their weight, have tried everything, and are now seeking additional help through a GLP-1. My stance on the matter is that, as grown adults, we should be empowered to make medical decisions for ourselves so long as they are safe, doctor-approved, and monitored.

Eden offers both name-brand medications as well as compounded medications. At the time I am writing this, I am only seeing compounded semaglutide as an option, no tirzepatide, which can be a bummer as tirzepatide tends to be more effective (but also usually costs ~$100 more per month).

Speaking of pricing, Eden is pretty competitive with their pricing for compounded semaglutide with the following options: 

• Monthly: $296/month 
• Quarterly: $276/month
• 6-month: $246/month
• Annual: $196/month

Plus, they offer $100 off your first month, making Eden a very reasonable option for those seeking a compounded medication. Another perk of Eden is that they won’t charge your credit card for the medication until one of their doctors has physically read your profile and given you the final approval. This is different than most GLP-1 prescribers who will charge your card first and then refund you if it gets to the doctor and ends up being disapproved.

To be honest, I am not really sure what the experience with Eden looks like after you are approved for medication as I have never actually gone through with ordering through Eden, however, I would assume the experience is much like every other provider where you have access to messaging with your doctor should you have any questions or need to make any changes to your medication.

My Experience With Hers

Hers has been around for a while, offering a bunch of different telehealth options, including prescription birth control, which I used a few years back. Hers has a good reputation for being a reliable provider for common problems and now they offer GLP-1 injections. 

I started the Hers weight loss medication intake process and was quickly denied based on my BMI. Hers requires you to have a BMI of 27 or more with a qualifying condition or a BMI of over 30 in order to qualify. This is pretty standard, however, it’s quickly becoming outdated. There are several providers these days that have significantly lowered the BMI threshold, allowing for “off-label” use or “cosmetic weight loss,” which doesn’t have a BMI requirement at all. I predict most providers will eventually move to a more lax approach to prescribing. 

Hers is nice because, like Eden, they give the option of getting access to the name-brand GLP-1s as well as compounded ones. They also have a number of other, non-GLP-1, weight loss medications available like Metformin and Bupropion for those who want to try another route. Hers is similar to Noom (who I compared to Willow recently) in that they will advise you to take one of these other medications if they don’t think GLP-1s are a fit. Personally, I am not a fan of that because these other medications are not comparable to GLP-1 medications.

Although I didn’t order a GLP-1 through Hers, I did use them for birth control a few years back and had a great experience. Hers is easy to navigate, the doctors were responsive, and medication was shipped to my door monthly, hassle-free. I imagine they operate similarly with GLP-1s. 

I noted that Hers doesn’t currently have a compounded Tirzepatide product, so if you’re looking for that you might want to try another GLP-1 provider like Willow or Josie GLP-1 for Women 35+ (who actually even has compounded Tirzepatide in pill form, too!). 

Pricing for Hers’ compounded semaglutide is starting at $165/month, which I am guessing includes a $100 off your first month offer, and then the price would go up from there. The brand-name medications are significantly more expensive.

Wrapping Up

Honestly, Eden and Hers are very similar. If you’re someone who is overweight or obese and has a qualifying BMI, you should be able to get great treatment from either provider. However, if your BMI is less than 27, going with Eden will be your best bet as they have a lower BMI requirement of 23. 

Pricing-wise, I think Eden has a slight advantage as well when you factor in the $100 discount off your first month - that’s pretty enticing, especially for those who want to go with the monthly plan to start. The commitment is low and it’s easy to cancel.

Build Healthy Habits With Strength Training + High Protein Meals

Regardless of which provider you choose, my main message as a personal trainer and weight loss coach is that it’s vital that you establish healthy habits alongside your prescription weight loss medication. This includes strength training and eating adequate amounts of protein to support your muscles throughout the process.

If you need help and guidance with this, I’d love to help! Consider joining the Simply Strong App for weight training, high protein recipes, and consistency building.