Pentagon moves forward with mandatory testosterone testing for most male troops

The Pentagon has introduced formal guidelines for mandatory testosterone testing for male service members aged 30 and older, a policy currently excluding women but facing criticism from medical experts regarding its necessity and effectiveness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the new program in July, arguing it was necessary to help troops operate at their "absolute best." The updated clinical guidance, released recently, explains how the program would function.

These efforts to screen for low testosterone coincide with a surge in interest in the hormone, sparked by men's health influencers and podcasters who often recommend it to boost energy, muscle mass, and overall youthfulness. However, many experts dispute the widespread claims that testosterone supplements can deliver these benefits.

The new guidance specifies that the initial mandatory testing will apply solely to male service members. Hegseth's earlier memo from July had called for mandatory testing for all troops, but the released clinical guidelines clarify that the screening applies specifically to those experiencing "testosterone deficiency in the male service member." The Pentagon has not disclosed whether female troops could be evaluated for estrogen-based therapies as they undergo perimenopause.

Testosterone levels naturally decrease with age and can impact sexual function, mood, bone density, and other factors. While some federal studies suggest that increasing testosterone can alleviate erectile dysfunction, low libido, and other issues in men, medical guidelines generally recommend testing only when men report symptoms like low libido and depression, and only after confirming low hormone levels through two blood tests.

The Pentagon's policy diverges from these guidelines by mandating testing for all male personnel aged 30 and older, as well as allowing younger troops to request screenings. Otherwise, the new guidelines largely align with medical standards, acknowledging that hormone replacement therapy does not improve energy, vitality, physical function, or cognition. The guidelines highlight "demonstrated benefits" for sexual function and specific body measures like bone density.

However, the policy does not require hormone replacement therapy for eligible service members. It does caution about potential side effects, including reduced sperm count, which military doctors are instructed not to prescribe for service members planning to conceive in the near future. Additionally, the controlled nature of testosterone presents practical challenges for troops, particularly in the deployed environment, where storage and supply considerations must be addressed before deployment.