**Pentagon Revives Testosterone Testing for US Troops**
The Pentagon has announced the reinstatement of a mandatory testing program for testosterone deficiency among male service members aged 30 and older. This decision, communicated by a spokesperson on Thursday, marks a return to a program that has faced criticism from medical experts who argue it may be unnecessary and could pose health risks.
The new clinical guidance, which is applicable solely to male service members, aims to establish consistent screening and treatment protocols for testosterone deficiency. The Pentagon has indicated that separate guidance for female service members will be issued in the future.
Concerns have been raised by medical professionals regarding the potential risks associated with inappropriate testosterone prescriptions, including infertility and other adverse health effects. The Pentagon had previously suspended an earlier version of the guidance in early September to allow for updates, although the specifics of these changes have not been disclosed.
Under the latest guidance, testosterone testing will be integrated into periodic health assessments and annual physical examinations for eligible service members. Younger personnel will have the option to request screening or undergo testing when clinically indicated.
Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, emphasized the immediate implementation of this guidance, which is designed to standardize the screening and treatment pathways for male testosterone deficiency. The initiative was initially announced by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July, who has advocated for the use of testosterone to enhance military readiness.
Previously, the guidance included provisions for female service members, who were to be screened through a questionnaire that could lead to treatment for hormonal imbalances. However, the current focus is exclusively on male troops.
The revival of this testing program coincides with recent changes in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stance on testosterone therapy for men. In the previous year, the FDA removed a boxed warning regarding increased cardiovascular risks associated with testosterone products after reviewing post-marketing studies. Despite this, warnings about elevated blood pressure remain in place.
In June, the FDA requested that manufacturers eliminate language suggesting that the safety and efficacy of testosterone replacement had not been established for men experiencing age-related hypogonadism, following an evaluation of newer evidence. Testosterone products are still FDA-approved for men with low testosterone levels linked to specific medical conditions.
For women, there are currently no FDA-approved testosterone products available. Medical organizations typically recommend testosterone therapy for women primarily to address persistently low sexual desire related to menopause. However, they caution that evidence supporting broader applications—such as enhancing energy, cognition, or muscle mass—is insufficient.
As the Pentagon moves forward with this renewed testing initiative, it remains to be seen how it will impact the health and readiness of US service members, as well as how it will be received by the medical community and the troops themselves.