7 The United States is Making Testosterone Replacement Therapy More Accessible for US Military personnel. In June this year, US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth announced that the military would be launching a new screening program for "testosterone deciency" among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their "absolute best." This after a study published in JAMA showed that 20% of male soldiers younger than 30 years had testosterone levels less than the threshold established by the American Urological Association of 10 nmol /L Testosterone screenings will be included in annual health checks. These are required for service members 30 year and older. Younger troops under 30 can volunteer to be tested. Hegseth said receiving testosterone replacement therapy would be voluntary. The move comes as The Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump administration ofcials are moving to make it easier for doctors to prescribe testosterone. Kennedy Jr. is a prominent advocate for expanding access to testosterone replacement therapy and personally uses testosterone as part of his anti-aging and wellness program. The Food and Drug Administration is also advocating for men to have easier access to testosterone replacement therapies. Proposed changes to current labelling would: • Remove the limitation of use stating that the safety and effectiveness of testosterone replacement therapy in men with agerelated hypogonadism have not been established. • Update information related to prostate cancer risk. • Revise warnings regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as enlarged prostate. “During Men's Health Month, we are putting science back at the center of men's healthcare,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “By updating testosterone therapy labels to reect current evidence, we are giving patients and physicians clearer information, supporting informed medical decisions, and improving care for millions of American men.” References 1 HHS Announces Requested Updates to Testosterone Therapy Product Labels June 18, 2026. Available at: https://www.hhs.gov/pressroom/fda-requests-updates-testosteronetherapy-labeling.html. Accessed on 18 October 2026. 2 Routine testosterone screening of US troops may require extensive follow-on care, study nds. Patricai Kime. Available at: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/yourmilitary/2026/10/15/routine-testosteronescreening-of-us-troops-may-require-extensivefollow-on-care-study-nds/. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
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