Pentagon temporarily rescinds guidance on testosterone screening for US troops

"The draft [document] published on September ​2, 2026, has been temporarily rescinded to allow for updates," the official ​said, adding that interim guidance remains in effect. The detailed clinical guidelines had ⁠laid out separate testosterone deficiency screening paths for men and women that were to ​happen during their annual health assessments.

Read More:Military leaders warn Hegseth on Iran war. The guidance was set to take effect immediately, and ​the Pentagon said it is aimed at improving military readiness by identifying and managing hormonal and energy-availability issues.

"Page not found"A "Page Not Found" banner appeared on websites for both the Pentagon and Defence Health Agency when clicking ​on the links for the memo and statement. Wednesday's guidance said that men aged 30 ​and older would be screened through a questionnaire that could then trigger a blood test for ‌testosterone levels ⁠and, if needed, testosterone hormone therapy.

Women would also be screened through a questionnaire, which could then move to treatment for conditions related to hormonal imbalance. Testosterone would be used in women only for one of the diagnoses for which there is evidence of ​efficacy, such as Hypoactive ​Sexual Desire Disorder, ⁠characterised by a distressing level of low sexual interest.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has promoted the use of testosterone, announced the ​screening mandate in July, raising questions among experts about whether there ​was a ⁠scientific basis for such a policy. The US Food and Drug Administration plans to hold a meeting in mid-September with experts to discuss the medical use of testosterone.

Doctors have raised ⁠concerns ​that broad testosterone testing could lead to unnecessary or ​potentially harmful treatment, saying there is little evidence that universal screening for low testosterone among military personnel would ​improve US combat readiness.