Pentagon’s Testosterone Screening Program—What Service Members Need To Know - how do men feel about this?

As we know, The Pentagon has announced a new testosterone-screening program, with testosterone replacement therapy potentially offered to service members who are found to have low testosterone.

The article states it will screen service members over 30 for testosterone deficiency and potentially offer testosterone replacement therapy. The article also raises some pretty significant questions about whether there is actually evidence that broad screening and treatment will improve military readiness. It also outlines some big risks for doing offering this to individuals who are asymptomatic (I.e, shrunken testes, lower sperm count, etc.)

The DoD distinguishes testosterone replacement for male service members with clinically low testosterone from “gender-affirming hormone therapy” used in gender transition. In medical literature, however, testosterone is also considered a gender-affirming hormone when used in masculinizing therapy for transgender men (e.g., Endocrine Society guidance).

So how do people think about this distinction? If testosterone is being screened for and prescribed to optimize performance in one context but restricted in another based on purpose, where should the line be between medical indication and policy classification?

Separately, the article also raises a broader question: is there sufficient evidence that population-level screening and treatment of otherwise healthy men for low testosterone improves outcomes? The Endocrine Society has noted there isn’t enough evidence to recommend routine screening of asymptomatic men.

The announced policy makes the annual screening mandatory for the over-30 population, so refusing the screening could potentially lead to negative consequences for the service member.

Interested in perspectives from you guys? Do you perceive this as monitoring and policing masculinity? Looking down the road - any concerns about the DoD starting to mandate these shots?