U.S. Military Expands Testosterone Screening for Troops

The U.S. Military has initiated a new health screening program that mandates annual testosterone deficiency screenings for active duty and reserve military personnel aged 30 and above, as ordered by U.S.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This policy aims to improve combat readiness and overall performance.

However, medical experts argue that there is little scientific evidence to support the need for universal screenings. They warn that unnecessary testosterone treatment could increase risks of infertility, heart rhythm problems, and bone fractures.

Hegseth stated that the screenings will be voluntary and accompanied by medical counseling to help service members determine if treatment is appropriate, ensuring troops maintain optimal hormone levels for performance. Interviews with specialists revealed no strong evidence that routine testosterone screenings improve combat readiness.

Current medical guidelines recommend testosterone therapy only for patients who exhibit confirmed deficiency symptoms such as fatigue and low libido. Experts caution that low testosterone levels may be treatable through lifestyle changes rather than hormone replacement.