US defense secretary Pete Hegseth's order mandating testosterone-deficiency screening for all active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and above has drawn criticism from several medical experts, who question the scientific basis of the policy.
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Announcing the policy this week, Hegseth said routine screening would help ensure troops maintain optimal hormone levels to improve resilience, endurance and operational effectiveness.
However, doctors warn that widespread testing could result in unnecessary treatment and potential health complications.
Doctors question evidence behind universal screening
Many specialists say there is little evidence to support routine testosterone testing for all military personnel over 30. Five of the six men's health experts contacted by Reuters said the policy lacks strong scientific backing and could expose healthy individuals to unnecessary medication.
Dr Kevin McVary, a urologist and member of Rugiet's medical advisory board, noted that improvements in energy or cognition have mainly been observed in patients who already showed symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
Additionly, current recommendations from the American Urological Association and the Endocrine Society advise testosterone therapy only for patients with confirmed hormone deficiency accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, low bone density or decreased muscle mass.
Doctors cautioned that treating people without clear medical indications could amount to overtreatment and expose them to avoidable health risks.
Concerns over fertility and other side effects
Medical experts have also warned that inappropriate testosterone therapy can significantly affect male fertility by reducing the body's natural hormone production, potentially causing testicular shrinkage and impairing sperm production.
Other possible side effects include thickened blood, prostate-related issues, acne, hair loss, enlargement of breast tissue, abnormal heart rhythms and mood changes.
Experts also pointed to research that prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to remove a previous warning linking testosterone therapy to heart attack and stroke risk.
The directive is part of a series of healthcare policy changes under the Trump administration that have generated debate among public health experts.
Recent decisions have also included reversing the military's long-standing flu vaccine mandate, later partially reversed after a flu outbreak, and reshaping federal vaccine advisory panels.
