The US Pentagon has made testosterone screening mandatory for all service members aged 30 and older, effective immediately. The policy was announced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in July, despite concerns from experts about its scientific basis. According to the new guidance, men over 30 will receive blood tests for low testosterone, while women will be screened for disrupted menstrual cycles and fatigue. Doctors have raised concerns that universal screening could lead to unnecessary or potentially harmful treatment.
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The U.S. Pentagon has made testosterone screening mandatory for all active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and older, effective immediately. This new policy is aimed at improving military readiness by identifying and managing hormonal and energy-availability issues. According to the guidance issued on Wednesday, people in this age group will be subjected to screening for hormone levels or disrupted menstrual cycles. The decision follows a July announcement from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who has promoted the use of testosterone. This move has raised questions among experts about whether there is a scientific basis for such a policy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to hold a meeting in mid-September to discuss the medical use of testosterone.
Written for “Mandatory Military Hormone Screening” on 2026-09-03,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 3618 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-03
Pentagon makes testosterone screening mandatory for U.S. service members effective immediately
People aged 30 and up will be subjected to screening for hormone levels or disrupted menstrual cycles
The U.S. Pentagon issued detailed guidance on Wednesday for a new, mandatory testosterone deficiency screening policy for active-duty and reserve service members age 30 and older, a follow-up to a July announcement from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
asserted
Pentagon → make → Hegseth
The guidance, which is effective immediately, establishes standardized screening and treatment pathways for men and women that the Pentagon says are aimed at improving military readiness by identifying and managing hormonal and energy-availability issues.
asserted
Pentagon → establish → issues
Hegseth, who has promoted the use of testosterone, announced the mandate last month, raising questions among experts about whether there was a scientific basis for such a policy.
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who → promote → policy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to hold a meeting of experts to discuss medical use of testosterone in mid-September.
asserted
Administration → plan → September
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth unveils plan to test troops for low testosterone
Canada's top soldier expresses pride in 'who we are' after Hegseth targets cadets in post
According to the guidance, men age 30 and older will receive mandatory testosterone blood tests, while younger men will be tested only on request or if clinicians identify warning signs.
uncertain
clinicians → unveil → signs
For women, the guidance does not mandate routine testosterone blood tests, but it calls for screening for fatigue and disrupted menstrual cycles that can be associated with hormonal dysregulation and conditions called low-energy availability and relative energy deficiency in sport.
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that → mandate → sport
The document lays out guidelines for when it is appropriate to prescribe off-label testosterone in women, namely for postmenopausal women with unusually low sexual desire.
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it → lay → desire
Doctors have raised concerns that broad testosterone testing could lead to unnecessary, or potentially harmful, treatment, saying there is little evidence that universal screening for low testosterone among military personnel would improve U.S. combat readiness.
uncertain
screening → raise → readiness
