Federal Judge Challenges Pentagon’s Testosterone Policy Amid Transgender Troops Lawsuit
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has introduced a new policy to screen and treat military personnel for low testosterone levels, drawing scrutiny from a federal judge who oversees a lawsuit challenging the military's ban on transgender service members.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, presiding over the case contesting President Donald Trump’s transgender military ban, raised concerns on potential inconsistencies between the Pentagon’s approach to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for cisgender troops diagnosed with testosterone deficiency and hormone treatments provided to transgender men serving in the armed forces.
Judge Reyes noted that Trump’s 2019 ban mandates the armed forces maintain high physical and mental health standards without routine medical treatments or special provisions for transgender troops. She requested both parties to clarify the medical and logistical similarities and differences in administering TRT to transgender men versus cisgender service members.
Additionally, the judge sought details on the Pentagon’s rationale for treating transgender men differently compared to other troops under the new testosterone screening policy and the transgender military ban.
Hegseth unveiled the screening initiative last week, describing it as a measure to optimize service members’ performance. The program entails annual testosterone level assessments for troops aged 30 and older, with younger service members eligible to volunteer. Participation in testosterone replacement therapy, if diagnosed with deficiency, is voluntary according to Hegseth.
While testosterone levels naturally decline with age and are associated with symptoms such as decreased libido, mood changes, and weight fluctuations, medical experts have debated diagnostic thresholds and the necessity of hormone replacement treatment.
The transgender military ban, first introduced by President Trump and currently blocked by ongoing litigation, prohibits routine medical treatments related to gender transition in the armed forces. The lawsuit was initiated by transgender active duty and former service members aiming to lift the ban.
Judge Reyes, appointed by President Joe Biden, is overseeing this highly consequential case that interrogates the military’s health policies in the context of transgender rights and treatment standards.