"Are You Okay, Dad? Brother?"... 1 in 18 Men Deficient, U.S. Military to Begin Annual Screenings

Annual Health Screening for Those Aged 30 and Above
Hormone Replacement Therapy Available if Deficiency Detected

The U.S. Department of Defense is introducing a new healthcare program requiring annual testosterone (male hormone) deficiency screenings for all military personnel aged 30 and over, and allowing hormone replacement therapy when necessary.

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According to CBS News on July 15 (local time), U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced in a video released on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter) that the Department of Defense will implement an annual testosterone deficiency screening program for military personnel aged 30 and over.

Secretary Hegseth stated, "The goal is to ensure that service members maintain appropriate testosterone levels so they can perform at their best," adding, "We are fulfilling our promise to provide world-class healthcare services."

Under the new program, service members aged 30 and above will undergo annual testosterone tests as part of their routine health assessments. Service members under 30 may also choose to be tested voluntarily if they wish.

If the test results recommend treatment, those who choose to do so may opt for testosterone replacement therapy.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, is participating in the 'Pete and Bobby Challenge,' which consists of push-ups and pull-ups, with military personnel at the Pentagon building. U.S. Department of Defense YouTube.

Secretary Hegseth explained, "Managing long-term health is about maintaining strength, resilience, and mission capability not only through the next deployment, but also into life after the uniform."

However, the Department of Defense has not yet released detailed implementation guidelines for this policy. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) told CBS that inquiries should be directed to the Department of Defense.

According to the American Urological Association (AUA), the threshold for low testosterone varies by study, resulting in a wide prevalence range—from 2% to as high as 50%.

Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official Marty Makary cited a 2007 study during a panel discussion on testosterone replacement therapy last year, stating that "among men aged 30 to 79, 5.6% experience low testosterone accompanied by symptoms such as depression or decreased muscle strength." Researchers note that military training and operational environments can also affect service members' testosterone levels.

Major Theodore Chrysostomo-Wynn, a urologist with the U.S. Army, said at the same panel discussion that "high operational intensity and extreme stress can reduce service members' testosterone levels in the short term, and sometimes in the long term as well." He clarified that he was participating in a personal capacity, not speaking on behalf of the Department of Defense or Defense Health Agency.

Major Chrysostomo-Wynn explained that "chronic stress, blast exposure, traumatic brain injury, and sleep disturbances are reported to cause hormonal imbalances and changes in mood and cognitive function." He added that among a variety of medical and psychological factors, the decline in testosterone and hormone changes are almost universal findings in affected patients.

In the video, Secretary Hegseth described military personnel as "the U.S. military’s most decisive tactical advantage." He emphasized, "Modern battlefields demand the highest state of psychological and mental readiness," and pledged, "By managing health indicators early, we will help service members maintain combat readiness and provide fitting support to those who dedicate themselves to the nation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.