Pentagon's Mandatory Testosterone Testing for Soldiers Sparks Controversy

According to a report by Reference News Network on September 5, Reuters reported on September 2 that following U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's statement in July, the Pentagon released detailed guidelines on September 2 for mandatory screening of active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and older for low testosterone levels.

The guidelines, which take effect immediately, establish standardized screening and treatment pathways for both men and women. The Pentagon stated that this move aims to enhance military readiness by identifying and managing issues related to hormone and energy availability.

According to the guidelines, men aged 30 and older will undergo mandatory testosterone blood testing, while men under this age will only be tested if they request it or if a clinician identifies warning signs.

For women, the guidelines do not mandate routine testosterone blood testing but require screening for fatigue and menstrual cycle irregularities, which may be associated with hormonal imbalances and conditions such as relative energy deficiency in sport.

Austin, who advocates for the clinical use of testosterone, announced this mandate last month, raising questions among experts about the scientific basis of the policy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to hold an expert meeting in mid-September to discuss the medical uses of testosterone.

Reportedly, doctors are concerned that widespread testosterone level testing could lead to unnecessary or potentially harmful treatments. They say there is little evidence that universal screening for low testosterone conditions among military personnel would improve the United States' readiness status. (Translated by Wang Haifeng)