Rising Concerns Over Unnecessary Testosterone Prescriptions in the U.S.
WHO:
Fortune - President Trump, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Dr. Justin Dubin, Dr. Helen Bernie, Dr. Shalender Bhasin, Dr. Mohit Khera
CNN - Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt
WHAT:
Fortune - The military will begin screening for low testosterone among service members who are 30 or over.
CNN - A study of 341 career firefighters in Florida showed that about 11% had low testosterone and another 26% were borderline.
CNN - The U.S. military has conducted trials showing that raising testosterone levels does not always improve performance in young, healthy men.
Fortune - Only 12% of testosterone prescriptions are medically necessary.
Fortune - The military will begin screening for low testosterone among troops.
Fortune - The FDA removed a safety warning about possible heart risks associated with testosterone therapy.
Fortune - A study published in 2023 followed 5,000 men with a history of heart disease, showing no difference in heart attack or stroke between those receiving testosterone and those receiving a placebo.
CNN - A study of 341 career firefighters in Florida found that about 11% had low testosterone and another 26% were borderline.
WHERE:
Fortune - Indiana University, Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School
CNN - Orlando Health, University of Central Florida
WHEN:
Fortune - The FDA proposed rewriting prescribing instructions last month.
Fortune - Testosterone was first approved in the 1950s.
Fortune - The FDA mandated study was published in 2023.
CNN - The military's screening for low testosterone was announced on Wednesday.
WHY:
Fortune - The increased willingness to prescribe testosterone reflects growing acceptance of men's sexual health problems, influenced by the introduction of Viagra in the 1990s.
Fortune - The move to ease testosterone prescriptions aligns with advice from online influencers and health gurus.
Fortune - Increased willingness to prescribe testosterone reflects growing acceptance of men's sexual health problems.
CNN - The interest in testosterone testing has shifted from locker rooms to podcasts and headlines, indicating a growing concern among men about their health.
HOW:
CNN - A diagnosis of low testosterone requires multiple blood tests to rule out other factors affecting hormone levels, including lifestyle factors like sleep, alcohol, weight, and stress.
Fortune - The FDA's new guidelines suggest testosterone can be used for age-related symptoms like low libido and erectile dysfunction.
CNN - Diagnosis of low testosterone requires multiple blood tests to rule out other factors affecting hormone levels.
(UPDATED July 17, 2026 12:21 UTC)
The U.S. military will soon start screening service members aged 30 and over for low testosterone levels, a move influenced by a growing acceptance of men's sexual health issues. A recent study of 341 career firefighters in Florida revealed that about 11% had low testosterone, while another 26% were borderline, highlighting the importance of this initiative. Diagnosing low testosterone involves multiple blood tests to eliminate other factors that could affect hormone levels, such as lifestyle choices related to sleep, alcohol consumption, weight, and stress.
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(UPDATED July 17, 2026 10:33 UTC)
President Trump, along with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, announced that the military will begin screening for low testosterone among troops, following a recent study that showed only 12% of testosterone prescriptions are medically necessary. The FDA has also removed a safety warning about potential heart risks associated with testosterone therapy, which aligns with a growing acceptance of men's sexual health issues and the influence of health gurus. New guidelines suggest that testosterone can be prescribed for age-related symptoms like low libido and erectile dysfunction, but diagnosing low testosterone will still require multiple blood tests to rule out other factors.