{
  "id": 8138471,
  "title": "Pentagon to proceed with controversial testosterone testing after pause",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/pentagon-to-proceed-with-controversial-testosterone-testing-after",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-18T00:32:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/18/pentagon-to-proceed-with-controversial-testosterone-testing-after-pause"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pentagon has announced the resumption of mandatory testosterone deficiency testing for US service members aged 30 and above, aiming to enhance military readiness, according to a spokesperson. This decision comes after a temporary pause, during which the policy was reviewed and updated. The initiative, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July, initially included screening for women through a questionnaire, with potential treatment for related hormonal imbalances. However, in early September, the Pentagon temporarily halted the testing due to the need for further revisions. The reinstated programme now provides clear guidelines for identifying and treating male testosterone deficiency, ensuring a uniform approach to screening and treatment. Medical experts have expressed concerns that inappropriate prescription of testosterone could negatively impact service members' health, potentially leading to issues such as infertility and other related complications.",
  "summary": "Medical experts have described the mandatory deficiency testing among US service members aged 30 and older as unnecessary and potentially harmful.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Pentagon to proceed with controversial testosterone testing after pause",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/pentagon-to-proceed-with-controversial-testosterone-testing-after-8139724",
        "published": "2026-09-18T00:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Pentagon issues new guidance for testosterone testing after rescinding previous one",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/pentagon-issues-new-guidance-for-testosterone-testing-after",
        "published": "2026-09-18T01:40:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}