Women’s hormone replacement left out of Hegseth’s ‘High-T’ Department of War guidance

The Department of War finalized clinical guidance for testosterone screening for male service members, but left out similar best practices for treating women in the military for hormone disruptions that might affect performance.The Pentagon reissued clinical guidance for screening all male service members for testosterone deficiency on Friday, roughly two weeks after withdrawing its initial hormone replacement protocols for both men and women in uniform.The testosterone screening program, which is mandatory effective immediately for all male service members over age 30, was announced by War Secretary Pete Hegseth on July 15 in what he called on social media an effort to build a “High-T Military.” The initial clinical guidance, which was issued Sept. 2 and retracted the next day, included not only testosterone replacement therapy protocols for men with what is commonly called “low-T,” but also estrogen and progesterone supplementation guidance for female service members. The new guidance issued Friday only includes recommendations for screening male service members, including warnings for clinicians to discuss the potential for supplemental testosterone to disrupt the service member’s fertility. But clinical guidance for female hormone supplementation has been removed from the document entirely, which instead reads: “The female clinical practice guideline is being reviewed and will be posted upon approval.”Medical experts familiar with military operations have previously told the Washington Examiner that hormone supplementation for both men and women can be beneficial for overall health for service members who have experienced intense combat conditions and, as a result, suffer from hormone imbalances. Elite service members, such as Navy SEALS or Green Berets, in particular experience intense sleep deprivation, calorie restrictions, and physiological stress that can disrupt hormone production long-term for both men and women. Testosterone supplementation for male service members with diagnosed hypogonadism has been shown to alleviate other symptoms associated with intense combat experience, including mental health problems, improved sleep, and reduced pain.JOHNSON SLAMS PETE HEGSETH IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES: ‘IT’S A PUBLICITY STUNT’Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that the hormone-balancing initiative is part of the broader goal of ensuring “a ready, lethal fighting force prepared to dominate the battlefield and achieve peace through strength.”“By proactively identifying and treating suboptimal hormone levels, the Department continues to invest in the health of its warfighters, strengthen their performance, and maximize force readiness,” Parnell said.