Health experts warn of fertility risk over US military's testosterone plan

July 17, 2026

The US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced mandatory testosterone screening for all male military personnel aged 30 and above, with the option for those diagnosed with low levels to receive testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Medical experts interviewed by the BBC are expressing serious concerns about this policy, warning that widespread screening could result in misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment. Testosterone replacement therapy carries significant risks including infertility, testicular shrinkage, and long-term hormonal dependence, particularly for men who don't actually need it.

Who is affected

Approximately 375,000 active-duty male military personnel over age 30
An additional 305,500 men in the National Guard and reserves over age 30
Dr. James Anaissie (Texas-based urologist commenting on the policy)
Dr. Joseph Alukal (Columbia University professor of urology criticizing the program)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (implementing the policy)
The Pentagon/Department of Defense (roughly 1.3 million active-duty troops overall)

What action is being taken

All male troops aged 30 and older will be required to undergo routine testing for low testosterone
The Pentagon is implementing this new mandatory screening policy
Soldiers found to have low testosterone levels will have the option to begin testosterone replacement therapy

Why it matters

This policy matters because it could lead to thousands of servicemembers receiving unnecessary medical treatment with serious consequences. Testosterone replacement therapy can cause infertility and significantly lower sperm counts, with recovery taking up to a year or longer. The treatment creates lifelong dependency, as bodies become accustomed to supplementation and may struggle to produce adequate testosterone naturally after stopping. Additionally, aggressive screening could result in inaccurate diagnoses since low blood test results alone don't confirm clinical need for treatment, potentially exposing otherwise healthy men to unnecessary health risks in pursuit of perceived performance enhancement.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC