Testosterone Mandate for US Troops Contradicts Scientific Evidence
In July 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that U.S. service members aged 30 and above will be required to undergo annual testosterone testing, although he did not specify what constitutes "low" levels for treatment. This announcement aligns with a dramatic increase in testosterone prescriptions, which soared to nearly 12 million in 2025, marking a 154% rise since 2020, primarily driven by online clinics. Psychologist Adam Stanaland contends that the notion that higher testosterone results in stronger soldiers lacks evidence. Medical guidelines discourage universal screening due to natural variations in testosterone levels. Additionally, research indicates minimal connections between testosterone and aggression. The policy stands in contrast to the Pentagon's February 2025 decision to suspend gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender service members, with Stanaland suggesting it reflects concerns about masculinity.
Key facts
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in July 2026 that U.S. service members ages 30+ will have testosterone tested annually.
- Testosterone prescriptions in the U.S. reached nearly 12 million in 2025, up 154% since 2020.
- Online clinics have driven the rise in testosterone prescriptions, marketing it as a lifestyle upgrade.
- Medical guidelines recommend against blanket testosterone testing; screening healthy men may be harmful.
- A 2001 meta-analysis of 45 studies found only a small correlation between testosterone and aggression.
- A 2020 experimental review found weak evidence that testosterone causes aggression, primarily in dominant or impulsive men.
- A 2020 study of U.S. Army Rangers found sleep loss significantly reduced testosterone levels.
- In February 2025, the Pentagon halted gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender troops.
- Chronic stress, sleep deprivation, blast exposure, and poor nutrition can cause 'Operator Syndrome,' lowering testosterone.
- Psychologist Adam Stanalard's research shows that threats to manhood provoke aggression, especially in men feeling pressure to be masculine.
Entities
Artists
- Adam Stanaland
Institutions
- Pentagon
- U.S. Army Rangers
- University of Richmond
- Trump administration
Locations
- United States