According to CBS, on September 2nd local time, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the Pentagon will begin requiring male military personnel aged 30 and above to undergo testosterone deficiency screenings.
On that day, the US Department of Defense Health Agency issued clinical guidelines for testosterone testing, and screening will be conducted during routine military health examinations.
Standards require that screening and blood tests be conducted on active military personnel and reservists aged 30 and above. Military personnel diagnosed with hypogonadism (low testosterone levels) will undergo follow-up examinations, and if necessary, treatment including testosterone replacement therapy may be administered.
This guidance also requires asking whether female military personnel have symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, and arranging further evaluations if necessary.
In a statement, the Department of Defense said that this move is aimed at “investing in the health of military personnel, improving their physical performance, and ensuring the maximum readiness of troops.”
In July this year, U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel announced in a social media video titled "The War Department of High Testosterone" that the military would implement mandatory testosterone screenings.
Hughes stated that testosterone deficiency tests will be conducted every year for all active military personnel aged 30 or above, including women. Male military personnel under the age of 30 can voluntarily participate in annual screenings. If a doctor recommends treatment, “the decision to receive testosterone replacement therapy is entirely up to the individual.”
He said: “This measure is not aimed at artificially enhancing physical functions, but at restoring and optimizing the body’s inherent abilities, ensuring the lifespan of soldiers and providing the physiological foundation necessary for combat operations.”
The health guidance document released on the 2nd day referred to testosterone levels as “key physiological indicators related to military combat readiness,” which directly affect muscle strength, bone density, aerobic fitness, symptoms of depression, and cardiovascular health.
The document also warns that the risk of decreased testosterone levels in military populations is particularly significant.
According to Reuters, many medical professionals warn that Hargess's approach may not be effective at all. If testosterone prescriptions are given inappropriately, it could increase the risk of infertility among soldiers or lead to other adverse consequences.
Remote Medical Platform Rugiet's medical advisory committee member and urologist Kevin McWhori said, 'We learned from patients that there is an improvement in cognitive acuity and endurance after treating low levels of testosterone. However, the evidence is not conclusive, and it comes only from patients who have been treated due to symptoms.'
Experts have also mentioned the serious impact of testosterone therapy on male fertility. Kevin McVary said, “Many young men in the military who are not yet married will experience testicular atrophy if they continue to receive testosterone injections. And it’s impossible to expect them to return to their previous state.”
