US Military Begins Testosterone Screening for Service Members

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military will now screen service members for testosterone levels, a move aimed at "restoring and optimizing" their capabilities. The program will require those 30 and older to undergo annual testing, with younger soldiers able to request screening at their convenience.

Those found to have low testosterone will be offered voluntary replacement therapy. Hegseth emphasized that the initiative is not about artificial enhancement but about ensuring soldiers remain strong, resilient, and capable for current and future service.

The Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the protocol is effective immediately for all active‑duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older, citing the need for a "healthy, capable, and decisively dominant" fighting force.

Dr Mohit Khera, a professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine, highlighted the benefits of screening: increased muscle mass, decreased fat deposition, reduced risk of depression, and potential improvements in bone density. He warned that testosterone therapy should only be administered when symptomatic, noting potential infertility and cardiovascular risks for young men.

This announcement follows recent actions by health authorities to lower prescribing barriers for testosterone therapy, including United States Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s push to address the country’s "fertility crisis" and the FDA’s move to relax safety label requirements.

The U.S. defense community now moves toward a systematic approach to hormone health, balancing physical preparedness with medical oversight to safeguard the well‑being of its troops both on the battlefield and beyond.