The Pentagon has temporarily withdrawn a new clinical guidance document on mandatory testosterone screening for military personnel, just one day after its release. The document is being updated, with a final version expected shortly.
The Pentagon's rapid withdrawal of its testosterone screening policy, following expert criticism, raises questions about the medical basis and potential health risks for service members, impacting military readiness and individual well-being.
The Pentagon has temporarily withdrawn a new clinical guidance document outlining a mandatory testosterone screening policy for military personnel, just one day after its release. The document, titled “Clinical Guidance for Health and Human Performance Optimization,” was rescinded on September 3 to allow for updates, according to a Pentagon statement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced in July that the U.S. military would begin mandatory testosterone screening, claiming it would optimize capabilities and protect the longevity of service members. However, health experts have criticized the policy, with organizations like the Endocrine Society and the American Urological Association not supporting routine screening for low testosterone. Dr. Jason Goldman, immediate past president of the American College of Physicians, called it "bad policy all around."
According to Reuters, the rescinded guidelines proposed screening men aged 30 and older via a questionnaire that could lead to blood tests for testosterone levels and potential hormone therapy. Women were also to be screened through a questionnaire for hormonal imbalances. Experts like Dr. Bradley Anawalt, who specializes in endocrinology, have raised concerns about the potential health consequences, unnecessary evaluations, and inappropriate prescriptions of testosterone, noting risks such as decreased fertility, cardiovascular disease, and prostate cancer.