June is Men’s Health Month, but making changes to get healthy is something you can do at any point during the year.
Preconception health often focuses on what women can do before getting pregnant. However, preconception health is important for men, too. The health of a man’s sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. According to the American Urological Association (AUA) some things that can reduce the health or number of a man’s sperm include:
- Having Type 1 diabetes
- Heavy alcohol use
- Age
- Being severely overweight
- Harmful substances, including certain bug sprays and metals such as lead
- Health issues such as mumps, kidney disease or hormone problems
- Medicines (prescription, over-the-counter and herbal supplements)
- Radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer
- Some drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and anabolic steroids
- Smoking cigarettes
Here are five steps men can take to prepare before pregnancy:
- Get to and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is directly linked with increased male infertility. Being either overweight or underweight increases a person’s risk for serious health issues. Short-term changes often don’t produce lasting results. That’s why it’s important to eat healthy food and get regular physical activity. This includes eating plenty of fresh foods, like fruits and vegetables, which might help improve sperm health. Try cooking a healthy meal or going on daily walks to make it more enjoyable. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s myplate.gov website includes recipes that can make planning healthy meals easier. And, if only one of you needs to make changes, be sure to be supportive of your partner’s goals.
- Learn your partner’s health history. A family health history is a record of any health conditions and treatments that you, your partner and everyone in your family have had. It’s important to start researching your family history before getting pregnant. Some chronic health conditions can lead to birth defects or complications. Talk with your healthcare provider about health conditions that run in your partner’s family as well as your own.
- Reduce exposure to toxic substances. Exposure to toxic substances and other harmful materials at work or at home can impact men’s reproductive systems. This includes chemicals, metals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces (poop). These exposures can make it harder for a couple to get pregnant. Talk with your healthcare provider about what you may be exposed to and what steps you can take to reduce risk.
- Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or taking street drugs. All of these can make it harder for a couple to get pregnant. In fact, men who smoke cigarettes are more likely to have low sperm counts. Heavy drinking can also affect sperm quality. If you need support quitting, talk with your healthcare provider. Help is available. .
- Do a mental health check. Mental health is how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad or stressed sometimes, but if these feelings don’t go away, they can get in the way of daily life. Stress can also affect men’s sexual function and negatively affect sperm production. If you or your partner is struggling with mental health issues, talk with your provider. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
Resources for Dads and Partners
Get ready for fatherhood with resources to keep you, your partner, and your baby healthy. Learn more about Becoming a Dad.