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PoliticsPentagon temporarily rescinds mandatory testosterone screening guidance for troops
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The Pentagon has temporarily rescinded recently published clinical guidance for a new mandatory testosterone-deficiency screening policy for U.S. service members aged 30 and older, a U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday. The guidance, titled 'Clinical Guidance for Health and Human Performance Optimization,' was posted on the Pentagon's website on Wednesday but was removed by Thursday, along with an accompanying statement from spokesperson Sean Parnell. A Pentagon official stated that the draft document published on September 2, 2026, has been temporarily rescinded to allow for updates, with interim guidance remaining in effect. The detailed guidelines had outlined separate screening paths for men and women during annual health assessments, aimed at improving military readiness by identifying and managing hormonal and energy-availability issues. Men aged 30 and older would have been screened via a questionnaire that could trigger a blood test and potential testosterone therapy. Women would also be screened via a questionnaire, with treatment options for hormonal imbalance conditions, including testosterone use for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. Links to the memo and statement now show 'Page Not Found' on Pentagon and Defense Health Agency websites.
Source report
The Pentagon has temporarily rescinded recently published clinical guidance for a new, mandatory testosterone-deficiency screening policy for service members aged 30 and older, a U.S. official confirmed to Reuters on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon posted the “Clinical Guidance for Health and Human Performance Optimization” on its website. By Thursday, both the memo and an accompanying statement from spokesperson Sean Parnell had been removed.
“The draft (document) published on September 2, 2026, has been temporarily rescinded to allow for updates,” the official said, adding that interim guidance remains in effect.
The detailed clinical guidelines had outlined separate testosterone deficiency screening paths for men and women, to be conducted during their annual health assessments. The guidance was set to take effect immediately, with the Pentagon stating it aimed to improve military readiness by identifying and managing hormonal and energy-availability issues.
Links to the memo and statement on both the Pentagon and Defense Health Agency websites now display a “Page Not Found” message.
Key Details of the Rescinded Guidance
- Men aged 30 and older would have been screened via a questionnaire, which could then trigger a blood test for testosterone levels and, if necessary, testosterone hormone therapy.
- Women would also have been screened through a questionnaire, potentially leading to treatment for conditions related to hormonal imbalance. Testosterone would have been used in women only for diagnoses with proven efficacy, such as Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, characterized by a distressing level of low sexual interest.
Source
Navy TimesWestern
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Pentagon temporarily rescinds mandatory testosterone screening guidance for troops aged 30 and older