Pentagon mandates annual testosterone screening for service members over 30

The Department of Defense announced that service members older than 30 will undergo yearly screening for testosterone deficiency during their periodic health assessments. Personnel who receive a recommendation for treatment may elect to begin testosterone replacement therapy. Service members under 30 may also opt for voluntary testing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the program aims to ensure that troops maintain appropriate hormone levels for operational readiness. The Pentagon has not yet issued detailed guidance on implementation, and the Defense Health Agency directed inquiries to the department.

The prevalence of low testosterone varies widely in medical studies, ranging from 2% to 50%, according to the American Urological Association. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary cited a 2007 study indicating that 5.6% of men aged 30 to 79 exhibit low testosterone with related symptoms.

Research presented at a 2025 FDA panel highlighted that high operational tempo and stress can reduce testosterone levels among service members, sometimes persistently. Army Major Theodore Crisostomo-Wynne, a urologist at Madigan Army Medical Center, noted a condition observed in special-operations personnel, described as “Operator Syndrome,” linked to chronic stress, blast exposure, traumatic brain injury, and sleep disruption, which may involve hormonal dysregulation.

The new screening initiative is intended to address these health concerns early, supporting long-term medical care for military personnel.