Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the Department of Defense will implement a mandatory annual testosterone deficiency screening for all service members over the age of 30. Hegseth stated the screenings will be integrated into the military's periodic health assessments and that service members under 30 may also participate on a voluntary basis.
Hegseth said the initiative is intended to improve the long-term health, resilience, and operational performance of service members. Under the new program, individuals diagnosed with a deficiency may elect to undergo testosterone replacement therapy. Hegseth characterized the policy as a means of maintaining lethality and psychological readiness within the force.
Medical experts have previously noted that high-stress environments and intensive military training can lead to hormonal dysregulation. At a 2025 FDA panel, Army Major Theodore Crisostomo-Wynne, a urologist, testified in a personal capacity that chronic stress and blast exposures contribute to decreased testosterone levels, particularly within the special operations community.
The Pentagon has not yet released specific administrative guidance regarding the implementation of the screenings. The Defense Health Agency referred inquiries back to the Department of Defense. Currently, the American Urological Association estimates that the prevalence of testosterone deficiency varies widely among different populations, ranging from 2% to 50% depending on the study and diagnostic criteria used.