Pentagon orders mandatory testosterone screening for service members aged 30 and above

The US Department of Defense has introduced detailed guidelines for a new mandatory testosterone screening programme covering active-duty

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Defense has introduced detailed guidelines for a new mandatory testosterone screening programme covering active-duty and reserve military personnel aged 30 and older. The policy, which took effect immediately, follows Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement in July and is intended to identify hormonal and energy-related health problems that could affect military readiness.

Under the newly issued guidance, male service members aged 30 and above will be required to undergo blood tests to determine their testosterone levels. Men younger than 30 will not normally be screened as part of the mandatory programme. However, testing may be carried out if a service member requests it or if a healthcare professional identifies symptoms or other medical concerns associated with low testosterone.

The Pentagon says the programme is designed to establish a consistent approach to detecting and managing testosterone deficiency and related conditions. Officials believe that identifying such problems could help address issues involving fatigue, reduced energy and physical performance, potentially contributing to the overall health and readiness of military personnel.

The policy also addresses hormonal health among female service members, although the approach is different. Routine testosterone blood testing will not be compulsory for women. Instead, military healthcare providers will assess women f. or symptoms such as persistent tiredness, changes in menstrual patterns and other signs that may indicate hormonal imbalance or inadequate energy availability.

The guidance specifically refers to conditions such as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), which can occur when a person’s energy intake is insufficient to meet the demands of exercise, training and normal bodily functions. According to the policy, recognising these conditions may help medical personnel address health problems that could interfere with a service member’s physical capabilities and operational duties.

The Pentagon has also provided recommendations concerning testosterone treatment for women. Doctors may consider prescribing testosterone on an off-label basis in certain circumstances, particularly for postmenopausal women suffering from abnormally low sexual desire. The guidance, however, does not recommend routine testosterone therapy for all female service members.

The new policy has sparked discussion among doctors and medical experts, particularly over the scientific justification for broad testosterone screening. Hegseth has been an outspoken supporter of testosterone use, and his earlier announcement prompted questions about whether there is sufficient medical evidence to support mandatory testing throughout the armed forces.

Some healthcare professionals have warned that widespread screening could potentially result in unnecessary medical interventions. Testosterone levels can vary naturally, and experts note that a low test result does not automatically mean that an individual has a condition requiring hormone replacement therapy. Additional medical assessment is generally needed to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

Questions have also been raised about the connection between universal testosterone screening and military effectiveness. Critics say there is currently limited evidence demonstrating that routinely identifying and treating low testosterone among otherwise healthy military personnel would significantly improve combat readiness or operational performance.

The policy is being introduced as the US Food and Drug Administration prepares to bring medical experts together in September to examine the use of testosterone treatments. That discussion could provide further insight into the potential benefits, risks and appropriate applications of testosterone therapy.

The Pentagon’s new programme marks a major expansion of hormonal health monitoring within the US military. Its effectiveness will ultimately depend on how deficiencies are diagnosed, how treatment decisions are made and whether the initiative produces measurable improvements in the health, performance and readiness of service members.