The Department of Defense will begin testing all military members over the age of 30 for testosterone levels during their annual physical exams, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced this week. Service members found to have low testosterone may be offered testosterone replacement therapy.
Hegseth stated that the initiative is intended to "restore and optimize your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight," rather than for artificial enhancement.
This program is the latest in a series of policy shifts under Hegseth that have emphasized a "warrior" ethos and, according to critics, performative masculinity. Previous changes include the temporary suspension of the annual flu vaccine mandate for service members and an investigation into the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The focus on testosterone levels mirrors a broader trend in the United States, with prescriptions for testosterone supplements increasing significantly. Data indicates that prescriptions grew from 7.3 million in 2019 to over 11 million by 2024 across all age groups.
However, medical experts question the widespread screening and supplementation approach. The Endocrine Society has stated there is "insufficient evidence" to support routine testosterone screening for asymptomatic individuals. Previous research suggests that testosterone is often overprescribed, with only a small percentage of men receiving prescriptions having undergone appropriate diagnostic testing.
Doctors debate the distinction between natural age-related declines in testosterone and those requiring clinical intervention. Low testosterone can also be an indicator of other underlying health conditions, such as obesity, which may be better addressed directly through lifestyle changes or other medications. The effectiveness of testosterone supplementation on mood, energy, sexual performance, and military effectiveness remains a subject of mixed evidence, and excessive use carries potential health risks.
While past concerns about cardiovascular risks associated with testosterone therapy have been eased by more recent research, current evidence does not strongly support the broad testing and supplementation strategy proposed by the Pentagon, according to reports.