Sept. 17, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News
The War Department released clinical practice guidelines today for medical professionals across the force on how to evaluate and treat potential testosterone deficiencies in male warfighters.
In July, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's memorandum, "Health and Human Performance Optimization to Enhance Military Readiness," directed screening of service members age 30 and older for testosterone deficiency during annual periodic health assessments.
The effort, Hegseth said, is meant to ensure that service members remain at peak performance levels throughout their careers. "While we invest heavily in our weapon systems, platforms and gear, our most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter," the Secretary said. "We have a sacred duty to maintain that advantage, which is why we must constantly look for new ways to optimize your performance, your resilience and your long-term health."
For service members with testosterone deficiency, replacement therapy or other hormone treatments will be an option. "This initiative ... is not about artificial enhancement; it's about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight," Hegseth said.
The clinical practice guideline, titled "Testosterone Deficiency in the Male Service Member," was released today by the War Department's Defense Health Agency.
The issuance applies to male service members. Screening and treatment for female service members will be addressed in a companion guidance document to be released at a later date.
According to the guidelines, "All male service members aged 30 years and older will undergo screening for testosterone deficiency as a component of the periodic health assessment, upon entry to the military, or at annual physical examination. Screening consists of a structured symptom, and risk-factor assessment. Male service members under age 30 will be screened on request, or where clinical indicators are identified by the examining provider."
If deficiencies exist, patients and providers can discuss treatment options, including addressing other health risks as part of treatment.
While male military personnel will have their hormone levels evaluated during annual health assessments, all service members can discuss any health and wellness concern — including those related to testosterone or other hormone imbalances — with their primary care providers at any time to ensure they maintain optimal readiness.
Clinicians and service members will work together to decide on treatment plans, if necessary, and those plans will be closely monitored and adjusted, as needed, by military medical professionals.