Pete Hegseth said in July the U.S. military will begin testing troops’ testosterone levels as a way to “optimize performance” on the battlefield − and mixed reactions have flooded the internet in the days and weeks since.

The announcement came in the form of a memo and statement released by the Defense Department, and a video of Hegseth saying it will be the choice of service members whether they receive “testosterone replacement therapy.” He did not mention female troops.

While some commenters celebrated the news and many questioned the switch-up around gender-affirming care, others raised a concern: that increased testosterone levels could impact men’s sexual desires and even lead to sexual violence, a long-reported issue in the military. Experts say these concerns are largely unfounded, but the conversation is bringing to light misconceptions about testosterone and masculinity.

When discussing the military screening program shortly after the announcement was made, Fox News host Jesse Watters said: “You know what’s going to happen? The guys that don’t need it are going to take it to triple boost.”

“Women on base, you better be careful,” he said with a chuckle. “Port calls, women in Asia, you better be careful. Because these guys are going to be wild animals and you better watch out.” USA TODAY has reached out to Fox News for comment.

Experts say the situation is highlighting a bigger issue at hand than testosterone deficiency − an obsession with and major misunderstanding about masculinity.

Misconceptions about testosterone

Testosterone, which is a hormone produced in both men and women, plays an important role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, energy levels, mood and sexual function.

While bringing testosterone into a mainstream health conversation helps remove stigma around discussing symptoms that many experience, Dr. Arthur Burnett, professor of urology and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said he is concerned “a program like this could unintentionally reinforce misconceptions about testosterone.”

When it comes to treatment, it should be aimed at restoring a true deficiency back to normal, not “enhancing performance or redefining masculinity,” Burnett added.

“For men with clinically confirmed testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy can help restore normal libido, improve erectile function, increase energy and improve overall well-being,” Burnett explained. “The goal is to normalize sexual desire in men who have true testosterone deficiency − not to create excessive sexual interest, aggressive behavior or supernormal performance.”

Plus, taking testosterone without needing it can be harmful.

“If someone has a normal production of testosterone and is given exogenous (or, external) testosterone, we can shut down the normal endogenous (or, internal) production of testosterone, meaning the patient becomes ‘dependent’ of external testosterone. This can cause infertility in men,” said Dr. Rocio Salas Whalen, endocrinologist and obesity specialist at RMA of New York.

In his video, Hegseth said the initiative was not about “artificial enhancement,” but instead “restoring and optimizing your natural abilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight.”

However, testosterone naturally decreases over time. “That’s part of normal biology − not every lower value represents a medical deficiency,” Burnett added, noting a lab test showing a low testosterone level is not typically enough to justify treatment.

Instead, testosterone deficiency should be diagnosed through both appropriate laboratory testing and symptom evaluation. Other potential causes of symptoms, such as thyroid disease, sleep apnea, obesity, medication effects or depression, should also be considered and addressed, he said.

The false promise of masculinity

While testosterone deficiency is a real issue for some, Hegseth’s testosterone program may be more about the idea of masculinity rather than actually meeting a medical need, suggested Ronald Levant, a professor emeritus of psychology at The University of Akron and co-author of “The Problem with Men: Insights on Overcoming a Traumatic Childhood from a World-Renowned Psychologist.” 

“Masculinity is essentially a set of social norms that change from generation to generation … any connection to biology is tenuous at best,” Levant said.

The idea that being more macho will fix young men’s problems is an underlying message of the manosphere, which puts an emphasis on hypermasculinity, Levant explained. Extreme fringes of the manosphere have also praised violent attacks against women. “Looksmaxxers” are another subset of this group, some of whom turn to surgeries and supplements in an effort to achieve financial, romantic and overall happiness.

“They take testosterone and all sorts of other harmful compounds in the belief that it’ll make them more attractive,” he said, adding they don’t tend to consider nuance or evidence-based science. “You’re either ‘high T’ (testosterone) or ‘low T;’ you’re either alpha or beta.”

It’s a false promise, Levant said, explaining often it’s men’s emotional issues − not physical ones − that hinder their relationships.

“More emotional self-awareness, emotional intelligence among young men would make a huge difference,” he said.

A myth about sexual assault

Even if from a medical standpoint appropriate testosterone treatment won’t skyrocket sex drive, some of the reactions to Hegseth’s announcement framed sexual assault as “inevitable and biological,” explained Todd Post, a former contractor for SHARP, the military’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program.

This perpetrates the myth that “this is something that’s going to happen, and boys will be boys,” he explained, which “almost condones sexual assault.”

The latest data from 2024 shows reported sex crimes in the military have declined despite still being in the thousands. But Post suggests those reported numbers are likely lower than actual incidents for a variety of reasons, including challenges with the military’s reporting system.

According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, just 30% of sexual assault in the military is reported.

And it’s not just women. Male victims exist, too.

Unfortunately, stigma or appearing “weak” often keeps these men silent, Post added, an issue only worsened by a fixation with masculinity.

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800-656-HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.