Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a programme to screen military service members for testosterone deficiency, offering voluntary hormone replacement therapy to those identified as having low levels. Service members aged 30 and older would receive annual screenings as part of routine health assessments, with those under 30 able to opt in. Hegseth framed the initiative as restoring natural capabilities and enhancing troop readiness, claiming it would improve performance, resilience, and long-term health without constituting artificial enhancement.

Medical researchers have raised significant objections to the plan's scientific foundation. Dr. Adrian Dobs, an endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins University, argues that testosterone diagnosis is far more complex than the proposal suggests, with hormone levels varying depending on time of day, type of test, and individual stress levels. She contends that testosterone does not improve cognitive function or extend lifespan, contrary to Hegseth's claims, and notes that standard medical practice involves identifying and treating underlying conditions rather than simply administering hormone therapy. The Pentagon has not disclosed which scientific research or medical experts informed the decision, nor has it clarified whether female service members would undergo similar assessments.