US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a Pentagon programme to screen service members for low testosterone, presenting it as part of a broader drive to improve military health, readiness and performance. Under the plan, troops aged 30 and over would be tested every year during routine health checks, while younger personnel could choose to be tested voluntarily. The move matters because it expands hormone screening across the force and has already prompted debate over the medical evidence, who the policy is really aimed at, and whether it reflects a broader ideological push on masculinity in the armed forces.

Reports say treatment would be voluntary, with testosterone replacement offered where a deficiency is found, and Hegseth has argued this is about restoring natural capability rather than enhancing performance artificially. Coverage of the announcement noted that the policy appears focused mainly on male troops, even though more than 231,000 women serve in the US military, and the Pentagon has not publicly set out detailed treatment thresholds or wider clinical criteria. The decision also comes after previous scrutiny of hormone and supplement use in parts of the military, especially special operations, where concerns have been raised about both readiness and medical oversight.