Pentagon resumes mandatory testosterone screening for service members over 30

The Department of Defense confirmed that it is moving forward with a mandatory testosterone deficiency testing program for U.S. service members aged 30 and above, reversing a short-lived halt announced in early September. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth initially rolled out the mandate in July, and the guidance also called for women to complete a questionnaire to identify hormonal imbalances that might require treatment.

The pause was described as a period for “updates,” but the Pentagon has not disclosed what revisions, if any, were made before resuming the program. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the new directive immediately establishes uniform screening and treatment pathways for male testosterone deficiency. Health professionals have cautioned that unwarranted testosterone prescriptions could increase the risk of infertility and other adverse effects among service members.