Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday a new annual screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among U.S. troops, stating it is necessary to allow service members to operate at their "absolute best."
The screenings will be conducted annually for troops aged 30 and older as part of their required medical evaluations. Service members younger than 30 will have the option to volunteer for testing. While Hegseth referred to troops generally in a video announcing the policy, the focus appears to be on men.
The Pentagon did not specify the exact conditions the new policy aims to address but referred to Hegseth’s remarks about keeping troops “strong, resilient and capable” and meeting the demands of the modern battlefield for “maximum psychological and mental readiness.” The policy states that receiving testosterone replacement therapy, if recommended, will be voluntary.
The announcement follows scrutiny of performance-enhancing substance use, particularly among special operations troops and Navy SEALs, in recent years. A SEAL recruit’s death during training in 2022 led to the discovery of testosterone and other substances, highlighting widespread drug use within the elite program. In response, the Navy established a drug-testing program the following year to screen for substances related to testosterone that promote muscle growth. Hegseth clarified that his new initiative is "not about artificial enhancement."
The Pentagon has not provided information on the specific research or academic studies underpinning the new policy, nor did it confirm if female troops would be screened for lower estrogen levels during perimenopause.
Testosterone levels naturally decline with age in men and have been associated with issues such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, mood changes, and weight gain. However, the diagnosis and treatment of these issues through hormone replacement have been subjects of ongoing debate among experts.
Hegseth's initiative coincides with broader efforts by Trump administration officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to facilitate easier access to testosterone replacement therapies. The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed easing prescribing limits for various testosterone delivery methods, including gels, pills, patches, and injections. The current FDA labeling restricts these medications to men diagnosed with hypogonadism, a condition characterized by significantly low testosterone levels.
Despite official medical guidelines, proponents have promoted testosterone for its potential to aid in looking younger, building muscle, and maintaining mental sharpness, though these uses are not widely accepted by medical experts. Recent studies, however, have offered support for testosterone's benefits in specific conditions and have addressed some safety concerns, including cardiovascular risks, leading the FDA to remove a previous boxed warning about potential heart attack and stroke risks last year.
Studies have indicated that testosterone therapy in older men can improve erectile dysfunction, libido, and certain mood aspects, with less pronounced effects on fatigue, memory, or overall well-being. Other research has pointed to potential improvements in muscle mass, strength, and bone density.
Current medical guidelines generally advise against routine, widespread testing of testosterone levels. Instead, physicians are typically recommended to discuss testosterone therapy with men experiencing concerning symptoms and confirmed low hormone levels through at least two separate blood tests. Accurate testosterone readings can be challenging due to daily fluctuations, with morning, fasting measurements usually being the most reliable.