US Military To Check Testosterone Levels Of Troops, Offer Hormone Therapy: What It Means
US Military To Check Testosterone Levels Of Troops, Offer Hormone Therapy: What It Means Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 10:43 IST The programme
US Military To Check Testosterone Levels Of Troops, Offer Hormone Therapy: What It Means Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 10:43 IST The programme is intended to identify service members with low testosterone levels and offer them voluntary hormone replacement therapy where medically appropriate. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new military health initiative that will require active-duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and above to be screened for testosterone deficiency as part of their annual medical evaluations. The programme, which takes effect immediately, is intended to identify service members with low testosterone levels and offer them voluntary hormone replacement therapy where medically appropriate. Announcing the policy in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Pete Hegseth said the goal was to ensure troops are physically prepared to perform at their best.
“We owe our warriors the absolute best medical care in the world," Pete Hegseth said, adding that maintaining healthy testosterone levels was important for long-term strength, resilience and operational readiness. The US Defence Secretary stressed that the programme was not intended to promote performance enhancement or muscle-building treatments outside established medical guidelines. What The New Policy Means According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, testosterone deficiency screening will now be mandatory for all active-duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older. For troops under 30, the tests will remain optional. The Pentagon said that the screenings will help establish a comprehensive health baseline across the force and enable doctors to identify personnel who may benefit from targeted treatment. Those diagnosed with low testosterone levels will be offered voluntary testosterone replacement therapy under medical supervision.
News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will this policy improve military readiness long-term? The US military's new policy to screen troops aged 30 and above for low testosterone and offer hormone therapy aims to improve long-term health and operational readiness. What are the potential side effects of hormone therapy? Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can carry potential side effects, including acne, skin irritation from gels or patches, enlargement of breast tissue, increased blood pressure, blood clots, irregular heart rhythms, and reduced sperm production which may affect fertility. Could this program expand to younger troops? The US military's new program screens active-duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and above for low testosterone levels and offers voluntary hormone replacement therapy.
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