US military's mandatory testosterone testing raises concerns among health experts

The Department of Defense announced that all male troops aged 30 and older will undergo regular testing for low testosterone, with those diagnosed eligible for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The policy, detailed in a video released by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, is intended to keep soldiers at peak performance.

Medical experts cautioned that widespread screening could lead to inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary treatment. Dr. James Anaissie, a urologist who co-authored a study on testosterone deficiency, said, >"It'll decrease your fertility and lower your sperm count significantly. Your testicles are going to shrink," and noted that recovery of sperm production after unnecessary TRT can take a year or longer.

Columbia University professor Dr. Joseph Alukal described the program as "misguided," warning that aggressive screening may result in men receiving lifelong hormone therapy they do not need. He explained that discontinuing TRT can suppress natural testosterone production, leading to worsened symptoms.

Experts highlighted that clinical guidelines require both low blood testosterone levels and related symptoms before prescribing TRT. Without symptoms, treatment is not recommended, according to the American Urological Association. Potential side effects of unnecessary TRT include infertility, irregular heartbeat, blood clots and breast tissue changes.

The initiative comes as TRT use in the United States has risen sharply, reaching an estimated 11 million users in 2024. Critics argue that the surge is driven more by popular culture and influencer promotion than by a genuine increase in clinically diagnosable hypogonadism.

Logistical concerns were also raised about administering regular injections and monitoring hormone levels in deployed settings, which could complicate combat readiness.