US announces new policy to test troops for low testosterone

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday announced a new screening programme for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, saying the initiative is intended to ensure military personnel perform at their “absolute best.”

Under the new policy, annual testosterone screenings will be included in mandatory medical examinations for service members aged 30 and above, while troops under 30 can opt to be tested voluntarily. In a video posted on social media, Hegseth said testosterone replacement therapy would also be voluntary, Associated Press reported.

Although Hegseth referred broadly to troops, the announcement appeared to focus on testing male service members for hormone irregularities.

The move comes as officials in President Donald Trump’s administration push for broader access to testosterone replacement therapy. However, Hegseth’s remarks and those of other administration officials combine established scientific evidence with wider claims that remain less substantiated.

When asked what the policy was intended to address, the Pentagon pointed to Hegseth’s comments that the programme would help keep troops “strong, resilient and capable” and that the demands of modern warfare require “maximum psychological and mental readiness.”

Testosterone use has faced scrutiny within the US military in recent years, particularly among special operations forces and Navy SEALs. The death of a SEAL recruit during training in 2022 led to the discovery of testosterone and other substances in his possession, exposing more widespread drug use in the elite programme than previously acknowledged.

In 2023, the Navy introduced a drug-testing programme to detect “any hormonal substance, chemically or pharmacologically related to testosterone, that promotes muscle growth.”

Hegseth stressed that the new initiative is “not about artificial enhancement.”

The announcement also comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump administration officials seek to make testosterone therapy more accessible. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration proposed easing prescribing restrictions on testosterone gels, pills, patches and injections. Under current FDA guidelines, the drugs are approved only for men with hypogonadism, a condition that causes significantly low testosterone levels.

Research on testosterone therapy remains mixed. A series of National Institutes of Health studies involving older men found that treatment improved erectile dysfunction, libido and some aspects of mood, but had little or no effect on fatigue, memory or overall well-being. Other studies have indicated potential benefits for muscle-building, strength and bone density.

Despite these findings, current medical guidelines generally advise against routine testosterone screening. Doctors are instead encouraged to consider testosterone therapy only for men with persistent symptoms and consistently low hormone levels confirmed through two separate blood tests. Because testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, accurate readings are usually taken in the morning after fasting.

Democratic lawmakers criticise policy

The policy drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and Iraq War veteran, said the announcement sounded “like gender-affirming care to me,” referring to Hegseth’s opposition to transgender troops.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Air Force veteran, said it “proves that Secretary Hegseth takes direction from the far corners of the manosphere.”

Both lawmakers urged Hegseth to make hormone testing available to both male and female service members.

“Let’s extend hormone screenings for all of our brave servicemembers to help us identify fertility issues early — since studies show that both women and men in our military disproportionately face higher rates of infertility than the general population,” Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.

Hegseth has previously said he does not believe women should serve in combat roles and that such positions should meet the “highest male standard.” Since becoming Pentagon chief, he has blocked some military promotions for women and dismissed female leaders.

He has also introduced other changes affecting military healthcare. In April, Hegseth ended the military’s long-standing flu vaccine mandate, citing “medical autonomy” and religious freedom. In June, a flu outbreak at the US Air Force’s boot camp sickened nearly 300 people.