Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Pentagon Revives Mandatory Testosterone Testing for Male Troops Over 30
The Pentagon has brought back a rule requiring many male troops to be tested for low testosterone.
The rule applies to male service members who are 30 or older.
The testing will happen during regular health checkups and yearly physicals.
Younger troops can ask for a test or receive one if a doctor thinks it is needed.
Women are not included in the new rules yet.
The Pentagon says the program will create the same testing and treatment process across the military.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said testosterone could help military readiness.
Medical experts say broad testing may not be necessary and that testosterone treatment can have risks, including reduced sperm production.
The guidance says testosterone has limited proven benefits beyond certain medical problems.
The Pentagon immediately reinstated mandatory testosterone-deficiency testing for male service members aged 30 and older.
Testing will occur during periodic health assessments and annual physical examinations.
Service members under 30 may request testing or receive it when medically indicated.
The new guidance excludes women for now, with separate female-service-member guidance under review.
Medical experts question broad screening and warn inappropriate treatment may cause infertility and other health consequences.
- Who
- The Pentagon, male U.S. service members, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, and medical experts.
- What
- The Pentagon reinstated mandatory testosterone-deficiency screening for male service members aged 30 and older.
- When
- The guidance took effect immediately; Hegseth first announced the program in July, and an earlier version was temporarily rescinded in early September.
- Where
- The United States military.
- Why
- The Pentagon says screening will establish uniform treatment pathways and support troop health, performance, and force readiness; medical experts question the need for broad testing.
Medical Concerns
Pentagon Readiness Position
Broad screening
Medical Concerns
Medical groups generally do not recommend automatically screening all men for testosterone levels; they typically look for symptoms and confirm low levels with two blood tests.
Pentagon Readiness Position
The Pentagon says mandatory testing creates uniform screening and treatment pathways for male service members.
Benefits of testosterone
Medical Concerns
Experts say claims that testosterone broadly improves energy, cognition, muscle mass, or vitality are not sufficiently supported by evidence.
Pentagon Readiness Position
Pete Hegseth has promoted testosterone as a way to improve military readiness, while Pentagon officials say identifying and treating low hormone levels could strengthen performance.
Treatment risks and practicality
Medical Concerns
Medical experts warn that inappropriate treatment can reduce sperm production and cause infertility or other health consequences.
Pentagon Readiness Position
The guidance acknowledges risks and requires deployment-related issues such as storage, supply, and controlled-substance accountability to be addressed before departure.
- Covered group
- Male service members aged 30 and older
- Testing schedule
- Periodic health assessments and annual physical examinations
- Younger service members
- Testing is available upon request or when clinically indicated
- Female service members
- Separate clinical guidance is still being reviewed
- Treatment status
- Replacement therapy is not mandatory if a service member qualifies
- Medical risks
- External testosterone can reduce sperm production and may increase infertility risks if prescribed inappropriately
- FDA approval
- Testosterone products remain approved for men with low testosterone linked to an underlying medical condition
