U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine arrive at Dover Air Force Base to attend the dignified transfer of U.S. Army service members killed in Jordan and Iraq, amid the Iran war, in Dover, Delaware, U.S., July 22, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Medical experts are warning against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial testosterone testing policy for service members.
Hegseth announced the policy last week, requiring annual testosterone testing for all service members over 30 as part of his "High-T Department of War" initiative.
The policy faces legal challenges, with a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to explain how it aligns with existing bans on hormone treatment for transgender service members.
Two medical experts told The Intercept Friday the procedure may reduce fertility in male soldiers.
Dr. Adrian Dobs of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine explained to The Intercept that testosterone replacement therapy creates dependency and reduces sperm counts in men who take it.
“Men who take testosterone will have a reduction in their sperm counts,” Dr. Dobs said.
Dr. Alvin Matsumoto warned, mandatory screening produces unreliable results since testosterone levels vary based on time of day and meals, potentially leading to unnecessary hormone therapy for otherwise healthy troops.
Watch the video below.