Pentagon Issues Updated Testosterone Guidance for Male Service Members
WASHINGTON, DC — The Pentagon has republished updated testosterone screening guidance for male service members aged 30 and older. The guidelines explicitly state that testosterone treatment is “not a performance enhancer” and clarify that evidence does not support its use to improve energy, physical function, or cognition.
The Washington Post reported on Friday, September 18, that the Pentagon republished the guidance after briefly releasing and rescinding an earlier version in September. Under the policy, male service members aged 30 and older will undergo testosterone screening, with those showing low levels being offered voluntary hormone replacement therapy.
Limits on Treatment and Health Warnings
Citing a 2020 American College of Physicians guideline, the Pentagon noted that evidence does not support testosterone therapy for boosting energy, vitality, physical function, or cognition.
A patient information sheet included with the guidance warns of fertility risks. “Testosterone shuts down your body’s own production of sperm,” the guidance states, noting that while most men recover after stopping treatment, recovery is not guaranteed. It further warns that when testosterone levels are normal, treatment is unlikely to help and may cause harm.
The updated rules apply to all male service members aged 30 and older during entry into the military or during annual health assessments. Service members younger than 30 may also request screening. For those with low testosterone, doctors will discuss voluntary replacement therapy alongside potential health risks.
Screening Protocol and Military Conditions
The screening process requires two separate tests on different days. To ensure accuracy, the Pentagon stated that testing will not occur within 30 days of training involving extreme physical or mental distress, severe sleep deprivation, or illness.
Symptoms and risk factors such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes will be evaluated. The guidance acknowledges that symptoms of low testosterone “overlap substantially” with the effects of sleep restriction, calorie deficits, and mood disorders.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on Thursday that the department is investing in “the health of its warfighters” by “proactively identifying and treating suboptimal hormone levels.” The policy was originally announced in July by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of a broader focus on military fitness. In a July video titled The High-T Department of War, Hegseth stated, “Our most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter.”
Female Troops Excluded from Current Rules
Although Hegseth’s initial announcement did not distinguish between male and female service members, the republished guidance applies exclusively to men. The report noted that screening and treatment guidelines for female service members will be addressed at a later date, though the Pentagon declined to provide a specific timeline.
The Pentagon also did not clarify whether service members who failed physical fitness tests due to low testosterone would be permitted to retake those tests after receiving treatment.
Medical Experts Raise Concerns
The policy has drawn questions from physicians and researchers. Experts cited in the report noted that higher testosterone levels do not necessarily equate to superior strength or better health, adding that there is no medical consensus that testosterone improves longevity. They also pointed out that hormone levels naturally fluctuate—complicating the screening process—and reiterated the risk to sperm production.
While the new guidance acknowledges that testosterone therapy offers benefits for sexual function and bone mineral density, it maintains that evidence does not justify its use for enhancing physical performance or cognitive function.