Pentagon resumes mandatory testosterone testing for US troops over 30

Experts have called policy unnecessary and said testosterone injections could increase risks of infertility.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during an event at the Pentagon on Friday, September 18, 2026, in Virginia, US [Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo]

The United States military says it is moving forward with a policy of mandatory testosterone testing among US service members aged 30 and older, following an earlier pause and questions from medical experts.

The Pentagon released new guidelines for the policy, championed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth , on Friday.

list 1 of 3 Pete Hegseth says US military to start testosterone screening for over 30s

list 2 of 3 The long-term implications of Pete Hegseth’s US military purges

list 3 of 3 Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon: A list of controversies that define his tenure

Hegseth first announced the policy in July, stating that it was needed to identify potential “testosterone deficiency” and enable soldiers to operate at their “absolute best”.

The move aligns with interest from online podcasters and health influencers who have touted testosterone injections as a means of becoming healthier and more muscular.

A Pentagon release quotes Hegseth as saying the measure is about “restoring and optimising your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight”.

Medical experts have described the programme as unnecessary and said that it could cause potential health complications such as infertility for service members, if applied incorrectly. The Pentagon temporarily paused an earlier version of the policy in September in order to “allow for updates”.

The new guidelines apply only to male service members and establish uniform screening standards and treatment pathways for testosterone deficiencies. Testing will take place during periodic health assessments and annual evaluations, and younger service members can request testing if they want.

Hegseth has promoted a heavy focus on policies that he says are necessary to maximise military preparedness but that critics say are importing right-wing culture war issues into the military.

The Trump administration has banned transgender service members, rolled back protections meant to minimise civilian harm in military operations, and ousted military officials seen as at odds with the government’s priorities.

“While we invest heavily in our weapon systems, platforms and gear, our most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter,” Hegseth said.

专家称该政策没有必要，并表示注射睾酮可能会增加不孕的风险。

美国国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯于2026年9月18日星期五在弗吉尼亚州五角大楼举行的活动上发表讲话。[马克·谢费尔贝因/美联社照片]

美国军方表示，在之前暂停并受到医学专家质疑后，将继续推进对 30 岁及以上美国军人进行强制性睾酮检测的政策。

五角大楼周五发布了由国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯倡导的这项政策的新指导方针。

列表 1/3：皮特·赫格塞斯称美军将开始对 30 岁以上人员进行睾酮筛查

列表 2/3：皮特·赫格塞斯在美国军方进行清洗的长期影响

皮特·赫格塞斯执掌五角大楼期间的三大争议事件之三：定义其任期的争议事件清单

赫格塞斯于 7 月首次宣布了这项政策，称其目的是为了识别潜在的“睾酮缺乏症”，使士兵能够以“最佳状态”作战。

此举与网络播客和健康领域的影响者们的兴趣相符，他们一直吹捧睾酮注射是变得更健康、肌肉更发达的一种方式。

五角大楼发布的一份声明援引赫格塞斯的话说，这项措施是为了“恢复和优化你的自然能力，保护你的寿命，并确保你拥有维持战斗所需的生物学基础”。

医学专家认为该计划没有必要，并表示如果实施不当，可能会导致军人出现不孕等潜在健康问题。五角大楼曾在9月份暂停了该政策的早期版本，以便“进行更新”。

新指南仅适用于男性军人，并制定了统一的睾酮缺乏症筛查标准和治疗方案。检测将在定期健康评估和年度体检中进行，年轻军人可根据自身意愿申请检测。

赫格塞斯大力推行一些他认为对最大限度地提高军事战备至关重要的政策，但批评人士称这些政策将右翼文化战争问题引入了军队。

特朗普政府禁止跨性别者服役，取消了旨在最大限度减少军事行动中平民伤亡的保护措施，并罢免了被认为与政府优先事项相悖的军方官员。

“虽然我们在武器系统、平台和装备方面投入巨资，但我们最关键的战术优势始终是单个作战人员，”赫格塞斯说。