Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the U.S. military will begin offering annual testosterone screenings to service members ages 30 and older, with those diagnosed with low testosterone having the option to receive free testosterone replacement therapy if recommended by a physician.
Hegseth unveiled the initiative in a video posted on X, describing it as a voluntary health program designed to help troops maintain their readiness and long-term health rather than artificially enhance performance.
“This initiative, it’s not about artificial enhancement,” Hegseth said. “It’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capability, protecting your longevity, and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight.”
The defense secretary said the new program reflects the military’s commitment to providing high-quality medical care for those serving in uniform.
“We owe our warriors the absolute best medical care in the world, and this program delivers on that obligation,” he said.
Under the policy, service members who are 30 years old or older will receive annual testosterone testing. If testing indicates low testosterone and a physician recommends treatment, those troops will have the option of receiving testosterone replacement therapy at no cost.
Hegseth emphasized that participation in treatment remains entirely voluntary.
He said the decision to begin testosterone replacement therapy rests with individual service members if their doctor determines it is appropriate.
Although the annual screenings are automatically available for troops who are at least 30 years old, Hegseth also noted that service members younger than 30 may request the annual test if they wish.
The defense secretary framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to ensure America’s military personnel remain physically and mentally prepared for the demands of military service.
“As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting,” Hegseth said. “It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness.”
He added that identifying health markers early can help keep troops operating at peak effectiveness.
“And by addressing these health markers early, we’re keeping you on the leading edge of lethality and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation — the absolute best,” Hegseth said.
Medical organizations have noted that testosterone levels naturally decline with age.
According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone levels in men typically begin decreasing during their 30s and 40s at an average rate of about 2% each year.
The Mayo Clinic has also said that testosterone falling below a certain threshold can lead to a variety of symptoms. According to a 2016 report from the clinic, common effects of low testosterone include fatigue and reduced sexual interest. The report also states that low testosterone can contribute to muscle wasting and reduced muscle strength.
The article notes that low testosterone is not limited to men. According to the Cleveland Clinic, women with low testosterone may experience symptoms including decreased sex drive, depression and weakness.
In announcing the program, Hegseth did not distinguish between male and female service members when describing eligibility. As presented in his remarks, the initiative appears to apply to all troops.
The announcement marks a new military health initiative focused on routine screening and voluntary treatment for eligible personnel. Hegseth repeatedly stressed that the goal is to restore natural hormone levels when medically appropriate rather than provide performance enhancement.
By pairing annual testing with optional physician-recommended treatment, the Pentagon’s new program aims to identify low testosterone early while leaving the decision to pursue therapy in the hands of individual service members and their healthcare providers.
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