Pentagon Withdraws Testosterone Screening Guidance for US Troops

The Pentagon has temporarily withdrawn new guidance on testosterone screening for U.S. military personnel, just a day after it was issued.

The guidance had laid out how the military would screen service members for low testosterone and decide whether they needed further medical evaluation or treatment.

A U.S. official told Reuters that the guidance was pulled to allow the Pentagon to make updates.

The broader plan to screen troops remains in place, however, with interim guidance continuing to apply while the department works on a revised version.

• Pentagon temporarily withdraws testosterone screening guidance for US troops
• US Defense Department reviews testosterone testing rules after expert concerns
• Pentagon keeps military testosterone screening plan while revising clinical guidance

Pentagon Reviews New Screening Rules

The guidance, published on September 2, was part of a wider effort by the Defense Department to address health and performance issues among service members. It was titled “Clinical Guidance for Health and Human Performance Optimization” and provided different approaches for men and women.

Under the guidance, male service members aged 30 and above would be asked questions about possible symptoms of testosterone deficiency during their annual health assessments. Those who showed possible signs could then undergo a blood test to measure their testosterone levels.

Men younger than 30 would not be routinely screened. Testing could still be carried out if they requested it or if a doctor believed there were medical reasons to check their testosterone levels.

The guidance took a different approach for women. Instead of routine testosterone testing, medical staff would look for symptoms linked to hormonal problems and low energy availability, which can affect health and physical performance.

The Pentagon has said the wider initiative is intended to improve the health and military readiness of U.S. troops. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the testosterone screening program in July as part of efforts to focus more closely on the physical condition and performance of service members.

The withdrawal came quickly. By September 3, the guidance and a related statement from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had been removed from Defense Department websites. Links to the documents were no longer available.

Medical Experts Question Broad Testing

The Pentagon's decision comes amid concerns from some medical experts about the benefits and risks of widespread testosterone screening. Doctors have questioned whether testing large numbers of otherwise healthy service members could lead to unnecessary diagnoses or treatments.

Testosterone levels can change because of several factors, including age, health and other medical conditions. Doctors generally consider both a person's symptoms and confirmed low testosterone levels before deciding whether testosterone therapy is appropriate.

Testosterone replacement therapy can also carry risks and is not considered necessary for everyone with a low test result. This has led some experts to question whether a broad military screening program would necessarily improve troop readiness.

The issue is also being discussed more widely in the medical community. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is scheduled to hold an expert meeting in September to examine the medical use of testosterone. The discussion could provide additional context as the Pentagon reviews its own screening policy.

For now, the Pentagon has not announced when the updated guidance will be released. The temporary withdrawal suggests officials want to revise the document before putting the detailed clinical rules back in place.

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The broader U.S. military health policy remains active, but the Pentagon's next version of the guidance will determine how the program is ultimately implemented across the U.S. military.