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Judge orders Hegseth to explain US military’s new testosterone policy
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Pete Hegseth's plan to screen male soldiers aged 30 and above for low testosterone and offer replacement therapy has faced legal scrutiny over inconsistencies with the treatment of transgender troops.
- A federal judge questioned why cisgender soldiers are offered testosterone treatment while hormone therapy is cited as disqualifying for transgender service members under Trump-era policies.
- The judge ordered the Pentagon to explain the rationale behind these differing policies and address questions about the cost and administration of testosterone replacement therapy before a hearing on August 7.
- Medical experts have criticized the testosterone screening mandate, warning that unnecessary or inappropriate testosterone treatment could harm soldiers' fertility and long-term health, potentially undermining military readiness.
