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Pentagon reinstates mandatory testosterone testing for male troops, dropping women from the programme for now

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Pete Hegseth is pushing ahead with mandatory testosterone screening for male troops despite medical warnings of risks including infertility, with guidance for female service members promised but undated.
Pete Hegseth is pushing ahead with mandatory testosterone screening for male troops despite medical warnings of risks including infertility, with guidance for female service members promised but undated.

Medical experts have warned the policy is unnecessary and potentially harmful, with risks including infertility, yet Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing ahead regardless. The updated guidance, released Thursday, mandates testosterone screening for all male service members aged 30 and older as part of routine health assessments. A previous version of the programme, briefly pulled in early September "to allow for updates," had also covered female troops — but the revised rules apply to men only.

Hegseth unveiled the screening mandate in July, arguing it would allow troops to operate at their 'absolute best.'

The FDA last year removed its boxed warning about cardiovascular risk from testosterone products, though blood pressure warnings remain.

Guidance covering female service members is promised 'upon approval' — with no timeline given.

MoreYahoo News UKPentagon revives testosterone testing after pause, excludes womenThe IndependentPentagon reissues testosterone guidance for troops after pulling it and removing female hormone tipsAPThe Pentagon is moving forward with mandatory testosterone testing for most male troopsThe IndependentPentagon moves forward with mandatory testosterone tests for US troops
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