Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a new screening program for testosterone deficiency among service members, aiming to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.” The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ required medical screenings for those 30 and older, with troops under 30 able to volunteer for testing.

Background

The move comes as other Trump administration officials have begun to advocate for easier access to testosterone replacement therapies. However, the messaging from Hegseth and others blends known science on the hormone with broader, less substantiated claims.

Testosterone levels in men decline naturally with age and have long been linked to issues like erectile dysfunction, low libido, mood changes, and weight gain. Experts have debated for years how to diagnose these problems and whether they should be treated by replacing the hormone.

Reaction

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and Iraq War veteran, said the announcement sounded like a form of gender-affirming care, referencing Hegseth’s stance against transgender troops. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Air Force veteran, said it proves that Secretary Hegseth takes direction from the far corners of the manosphere.

Both lawmakers called on Hegseth to make hormone testing available for both men and women, citing the need to identify fertility issues early, as studies show that both women and men in the military face higher rates of infertility than the general population.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.