Pentagon Introduces Testosterone Testing for Service Members Over 30

On September 2, the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced new, mandatory guidance for identifying testosterone deficiency in service members aged 30 and older. The document follows up on an announcement made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July.

The guidance, which takes effect immediately, establishes standardized screening and treatment procedures for both men and women.

According to the Pentagon's statement, the measures are aimed at boosting military readiness by identifying and addressing issues related to hormonal balance and energy supply.

Hegseth, who has long advocated for testosterone use, announced the new mandatory policy last month. This has raised questions among experts about whether such a policy has a solid scientific basis.

Under the new guidance, men aged 30 and older are required to undergo blood tests for testosterone, while younger men are only tested voluntarily or if a doctor identifies risk indicators.

The guidance does not make routine testosterone blood testing mandatory for women. However, it does call for screening to detect hormonal imbalances, as well as fatigue or menstrual cycle disruptions linked to conditions known as energy deficiency and relative energy deficiency in sport.

Doctors are concerned that mass testosterone screening could lead to unnecessary or potentially harmful treatment. They also stress that there is no reliable evidence that general screening for low testosterone levels among service members improves U.S. combat readiness.