WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to explain why it is promoting testosterone treatment for some service members while citing hormone therapy as a reason to exclude transgender troops.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced that active-duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older will now receive annual screenings for testosterone deficiency. Those found to have low levels can choose to undergo testosterone replacement therapy, which Hegseth claims may benefit health and military effectiveness.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes pointed out the inconsistency during a lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s restrictions on transgender military service. The administration’s position is that transgender troops might need ongoing medical care, which they argue could affect readiness and deployment.
Reyes instructed both parties to explain the medical and logistical differences between giving testosterone to transgender men and to other service members. She also asked for details on screening protocols, monitoring, costs, and the Pentagon’s reasoning for treating these groups differently, ahead of an August 7 hearing.
Medical experts have questioned whether it makes sense to routinely screen healthy troops. Five out of six specialists interviewed by Reuters warned that unnecessary testosterone treatment could lead to infertility, hormonal issues, or heart problems. Most guidelines only recommend therapy for patients with symptoms and consistently low testosterone levels.
The Pentagon has not provided much information about how the program will work or what it will cost.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
