Pentagon mandates testosterone tests for male troops over 30 amid doubts
The Pentagon has issued formal guidance for mandatory testosterone testing for male US service members aged 30 and above, setting out how a programme announced in July by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will work. The policy initially excludes women and has raised questions from medical experts about whether such widespread screening is needed or effective.
Hegseth had said screening troops for "testosterone deficiency" was needed to help them operate at their "absolute best". Medical groups, however, generally do not recommend automatic screening of testosterone levels, and usually advise treatment only for men who report symptoms such as low libido and depressed mood and have two blood tests confirming low hormone levels.
The guidance released on Thursday says the screening is for "testosterone deficiency in the male service member". Hegseth's July memo had directed mandatory screenings for all troops, but the new document says the female clinical practice guideline "is being reviewed and will be posted upon approval". The Pentagon has not said whether female troops would be evaluated for estrogen-based therapy as they enter perimenopause.
Interest in testosterone has grown alongside claims by men's health influencers and podcasters that it can increase energy, build muscle and make men feel younger. Experts, however, say those wider benefits are not supported by science. Testosterone levels decline naturally with age and can affect sexual function, mood and bone density, but doctors have long debated how to diagnose these problems and whether to treat them with hormone replacement. Federal studies over the past decade have found that increasing testosterone can improve erectile dysfunction, low libido and some other issues in men. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department wants, "by proactively identifying and treating suboptimal hormone levels," to "invest in the health of its warfighters, strengthen their performance, and maximise force readiness."
The Pentagon's policy departs from the usual medical approach by requiring testosterone screening for all male personnel aged 30 and above, while allowing younger members to request screenings. Otherwise, the guidance is largely in line with medical standards and acknowledges the limited benefits of replacing the hormone. It states: "Evidence does not support its use to improve energy, vitality, physical function, or cognition." Instead, the document mentions "demonstrated benefits" for sexual function and certain body measures, including bone density. Replacement therapy is not mandatory for those found eligible, and the guidance notes long-established side effects, including a possible drop in sperm count. Military doctors are instructed not to prescribe testosterone therapy to anyone hoping to have children in the near future.
The guidance also points to practical difficulties for troops on deployment. It says the hormone's "use in the deployed environment raises supply, custody, storage, and continuity considerations that should be resolved before departure rather than in theatre." Injectable testosterone requires controlled room temperature storage and controlled substance accountability, and troops on replacement therapy must ensure they have enough supply even though US law limits prescriptions for controlled substances such as testosterone. The caution in the guidance contrasts with Hegseth's remarks in July that the demands of the modern battlefield require "maximum psychological and mental readiness" and that testosterone therapy was part of the solution. Overall, the Pentagon has moved ahead with mandatory testosterone screening for male service members aged 30 and above, while leaving unresolved questions over women, medical need and deployment-related use.
