The Department of Defense’s decision to begin annual testosterone deficiency screenings for service members aged 30 and older has been welcomed by the men’s health industry, which says the policy will improve troop health and military readiness.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the initiative last week, saying the screenings will become a standard component of annual medical assessments for personnel over 30. Service members younger than 30 will also be able to request testing voluntarily, while those diagnosed with testosterone deficiency may choose whether to undergo testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
“This is a landmark moment for men’s health in America,” said Shalin Shah, chief executive officer of Marius Pharmaceuticals Inc., calling the policy an important step toward making hormone health a routine part of medical care.
Marius, based in Raleigh, NC, markets Kyzatrex, an FDA-approved oral treatment for testosterone deficiency.
An estimated 20 million men between the ages of 25 and 75 in the United States suffer from low testosterone. Despite its prevalence, hypogonadism remains undiagnosed and untreated, increasing the risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and a diminished quality of life. Healthcare experts say addressing testosterone deficiency is essential not only for improving patients’ well-being but also for reducing the long-term burden of chronic disease.
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Shah described the Pentagon’s decision as “an America Health First-type policy,” referring to the administration’s self-described philosophy. “Too many men have low testosterone and are unaware of the downstream consequences,” he said. “Annual testing, especially for America’s military, helps underscore its importance.”
Shah said active-duty military personnel are at elevated risk for hypogonadism because of chronic stress, disrupted sleep, chemical exposures and traumatic brain injuries sustained during service. Veterans, he said, face an even greater risk because they are older and have experienced those stressors over a longer period. “Nearly 50% of veterans between the ages of 40 and 89 have low testosterone,” he said.
In a recent Newsweek opinion piece, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg endorsed the Pentagon’s decision to include annual testosterone screening for service members aged 30 and older is a step toward improving military readiness. They said chronic stress, traumatic brain injury, sleep deprivation, and other service-related factors can contribute to low testosterone, affecting energy, mood, cognition, and overall performance. They also noted that the policy applies to both male and female service members.
Jindal and Kellogg contended that routine screening could improve the health of military personnel and praised the policy as a broader shift toward recognizing testosterone deficiency as a public health and readiness issue.
The Marius CEO said the Defense Department’s decision also presents logistical challenges that will need to be addressed, particularly for service members deployed overseas. He said treatment plans must account for the realities of military deployments, where access to refrigeration, syringes and injectable medications can be difficult.
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Because Marius already supplies products to the Defense Department, he said, the company is well-positioned to help ensure an adequate supply of therapy and improve treatment adherence.
Shah argued that oral testosterone therapy offers significant advantages over injectable formulations for deployed troops. Injectable testosterone has traditionally limited soldiers’ deployability because of storage and administration requirements, he said.
J. Abram McBride, M.D., a board-certified urologist at Colorado Springs Urological Associates, echoed that view. “Traditionally, testosterone therapy through injectables has made our soldiers non-deployable,” he said. “Orals are much preferred and easier when deployed down range.”
McBride added that oral testosterone may also be a better option for treating large numbers of younger service members because it is more favorable for fertility preservation and may reduce certain safety concerns.
The Department of Defense announcement follows a broader push by the Trump administration to expand access to testosterone therapies. Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed easing certain prescribing restrictions for testosterone replacement therapy, while federal regulators continue reviewing evidence surrounding age-related testosterone decline.
TRT is generally reserved for patients with confirmed clinical testosterone deficiency rather than age-related hormonal changes alone.
The Defense Department has not yet released detailed implementation guidance, including when screenings will begin or how the program will be rolled out across military installations.