00:00The Pentagon is adding something new to its annual physicals, testosterone screenings.
00:05Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that all U.S. service members age 30 and older will
00:09now be screened each year for low testosterone as part of their routine health assessment.
00:14If a service member is found to have low levels, they'll be offered testosterone replacement
00:18therapy, though Hegseth stressed the treatment will be completely voluntary.
00:23This initiative, it's not about artificial enhancement.
00:26It's about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity
00:32and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight.
00:37Hegseth said the program is designed to improve both long-term health and military readiness,
00:42arguing that today's battlefield demands peak physical and mental performance.
00:47The Defense Secretary noted that research suggests about one in four men over the age of 30 has
00:52low testosterone, even though most don't show obvious symptoms.
00:56As for female service members, there was no mention of similar testing.
00:59The announcement also comes as new data obtained by the New York Post shows the military issued
01:03a record 108,000 prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medications to active-duty troops
01:08last year.
01:09Medical experts say testosterone therapy can improve sexual function in patients with a confirmed
01:13deficiency, but recommend treatment only after appropriate testing.
01:17Peopleì
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