Do Men Need Prenatals Too?

Guys, are you and your partner getting serious about baby-making? While the future mom-to-be is taking prenatal vitamins to get her body ready for pregnancy, you may have started thinking about your own fertility situation. A lot of men out there ask us, “Are there prenatal vitamins for men?” Well, not exactly, but there are lifestyle changes you can make to help get ready for baby. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Prenatal Vitamins for Men?

If you’re searching the web for men’s prenatal vitamins, we have bad news for you: there is no such thing as prenatal vitamins for men. Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to provide women with nutrients they may need for a healthy pregnancy.

Prenatal vitamins contain the nutrients that help support your baby’s fetal development, including folic acid, iodine, DHA and vitamin D.

If you’re searching the web for men’s prenatal vitamins, we have bad news for you: there is no such thing as prenatal vitamins for men. Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to provide women with nutrients they may need for a healthy pregnancy.


6 Preconception Health Tips for Men

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t steps you can take to help get your body ready for conception as well! Here are a few lifestyle tips you can follow:

1. Take a Multivitamin

While there’s no such thing as prenatal vitamins for men, taking a men’s multivitamin will help you get the vitamins and minerals you may need for optimum overall health. Ask your doctor about adding vitafusion Men’s Multivitamin to your daily routine, which provides immune system support, muscle support, and energy metabolism support to meet your everyday health needs.* Plus, vitafusion gummies come in tasty fruit flavors and can be taken without water, making them easy to take on-the-go. So it’s a vitamin you’ll actually remember to take!

2. Get More Sleep

Catching plenty of ZZZ’s is always good for health and overall functioning, and that can include fertility. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends that most adults sleep at least seven hours a night,1 so plan your sleep schedule accordingly.

Having trouble sleeping? Follow a few simple sleep hygiene practices to help you work toward seven or more hours:

  • Go to bed and wake up at the same time. (Yes, even on the weekends!)
  • Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Close blinds completely, and try sleeping with an eye mask and earplugs. Keep a fan on to cool the air and create relaxing white noise.
  • Keep screens out of the bedroom, even your phone! And switch off those screens at least one hour before bedtime.
  • Avoid eating large meals, and drinking caffeine and alcohol, at least several hours before bedtime.

You might also want to take a melatonin supplement. vitafusion Melatonin gummies help support sleep and help regulate your sleep-wake cycle so you wake up refreshed.* Ask your doctor about adding vitafusion Melatonin to your daily routine to help catch those much-needed ZZZ’s.

3. Cut Back on Alcohol

If you’re a big drinker, it’s a good idea to cut back, especially while you’re trying to conceive. Studies show that while light to moderate drinking actually doesn’t seem to affect male fertility, binge-drinking, on the other hand — in men, that’s five or more drinks in two hours, or 14 drinks per week — can have negative effects on sperm. Heavy binge-drinking can decrease testosterone production, increase the rate that testosterone is cleared from the bloodstream, and increase men’s estrogen levels. And all these factors can lower testosterone levels overall, which can harm sperm production, altering the count, size, shape and motility of those little swimmers.

Top view of wholegrain and cereal composition shot on rustic wooden table. This type of food is rich of fiber and is ideal for dieting.

 

4. Quit Smoking

You probably already know that smoking isn’t exactly good for you or the people around you. But did you know that men who smoke are more likely to have a low sperm count?! Quitting smoking is never easy. But it might be easier to quit now, before you start a family.

5. Be Cool

We love a long soak in a hot tub as much as the next person. But too much heat in your nether regions can affect your sperm quality.4 While you’re getting ready for conception, avoid hot tubs, saunas, heating pads, and tight clothing. Don’t worry, it’s not forever. After conception, you can hit the hot tub again!

6. Hop Off the Bike

Now is not the time to take up bicycling! Whether you like spinning indoors or riding a bike outside, all that jostling can affect your sperm count.4 So stay off of two wheels until that bun is officially in the oven!

We love sharing our insights about vitamins and health. But that doesn’t mean it should be a substitute for professional medical advice. For that, you should talk to your doctor!

1 American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM); “Healthy Sleep Habits.” Sleep Education. 2017.
2 Ricci, E, et al; Reprod Biomed Online. 2017.
3 Mayo Clinic Staff; “Healthy Sperm: Improving Your Fertility.” Mayo Clinic. 2018.
4 American Pregnancy Association; “Preconception Health for Men.” American Pregnancy.

Published by Colleen Welsch

Colleen Welsch has been writing about women's nutrition, health, fitness, and the clean beauty industry for many years. Born and raised in Ohio, Colleen recently returned to the U.S. after spending a year in Spain. In her spare time, Colleen loves traveling and petting dogs.