In brief
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of testosterone levels for every service member 30 and older. Those who prove deficient will be offered hormone replacement therapy as part of routine annual health checks. Younger personnel can opt into testing, though the policy does not clarify whether women will receive coverage. The directive follows a broader push to liberalise testosterone prescriptions, and experts say it signals a shift towards a more masculine military culture.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that every active‑duty soldier whose age is 30 or older will undergo a blood test to determine testosterone levels every year. Testing will be part of the standard annual health assessment, offering a new dimension to military fitness and preparedness.
If the serum concentration falls below the threshold set for men, servicemen will be offered voluntary replacement therapy. The move, which was unveiled during the last week of the Trump era’s healthcare reforms, is framed as a way to keep men physically ready for the rigours of combat.
Personnel under 30 are left with a choice: they can opt in to the test but the programme does not mention whether women will have access to similar therapy. The lack of a clear policy on female hormonal treatment has led to questions about gender equity in the armed forces.
The directive follows a broader trend to widen medical professionals’ ability to prescribe testosterone to men, and critics argue the initiative reflects a desire to boost stereotypical masculinity within the military. Supporters claim the policy could mitigate treatable deficiencies that impact stamina, morale and duty readiness.
