U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the introduction of mandatory annual testosterone testing for military personnel aged 30 and over.
According to Hegseth, the aim is to identify possible testosterone deficiency, which can affect service members’ health and operational performance. Those diagnosed with low levels will be able to choose whether to undergo testosterone replacement therapy, while personnel under 30 will be able to request testing on an optional basis.
The announcement drew criticism from Democrats, who accused Hegseth of hypocrisy. They pointed out that, while he has excluded transgender people from the Armed Forces, he is now promoting hormone therapy for cisgender male service members, which resembles the gender-affirming hormonal care chosen by many transgender people.
The initiative comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is moving to ease certain restrictions on testosterone treatments.
Democratic Representative Summer Lee said sarcastically, “So now you support gender-affirming care?” Senator Tammy Duckworth added, “That certainly sounds like gender-affirming care to me.”
The initiative is being announced as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services moves to relax restrictions on testosterone replacement therapies, including for men whose levels are low because of aging.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) involves administering testosterone as a medication to someone with confirmed low hormone levels and related symptoms, such as reduced libido, fatigue and loss of muscle mass.
Source: Reuters
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