Preconception health is an important issue for men.
Your ability to have children is affected by how healthy you are. Here are some ways that you can stay healthy and make sure your future child is healthy as well.
Nutrition, exercise and a healthy body
Why is it important?
By eating right and exercising daily, not only are you building a strong and healthy body (for when you are chasing your little one around) you are also preventing a low sperm count and abnormal sperm that can lower your chances of having a child.
What can I do?
Maintain a healthy weight and eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains present in the traditional Latino diet.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
- Walk to work and/or school instead of driving
- Play soccer
- Go to the gym
Visit your doctor at least once a year for a regular check up and to treat any medical conditions that can affect your health.
Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs that can affect your ability to have children.
Where can I get more information?
Mental and emotional health
Why is it important?
A healthy mind is important for your own well-being and it can also affect the health of your children and family.
What can I do?
- Develop strong relationships with your partner, family and friends.
- Communicate and share responsibility with your partner. You two are in it together and working with one another will help things go smoothly before, during and after pregnancy.
- Reduce stress and give yourself time to do so.
- Get a full night’s sleep
Seek help for current mental health issues such as depression and work on achieving mental wellness.
Environmental health
Why is it important?
Exposure to certain chemicals can reduce your sperm count or even damage them, affecting your chances of having a healthy baby.
What can I do?
- Avoid exposure to radiation or chemotherapy that can damage sperm.
- Avoid hot environments that will lower sperm count (e.g., hot tub).
- Avoid toxic chemicals that may damage sperm such as:
- Pesticides
- Chemical fertilizers
- Heavy metals (nickel, mercury, lead, etc.)
- Benzene
- Talk with your health care provider about medications with the following ingredients:
- Tagamet (cimetidine) - treats ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Sulfasalizine - treats ulcerative colitis, Chron’s disease
- Nitrofurantoin - antibiotic often used to treat urinary tract infections
- Steroids
Where can I get more information?
Find out more
For more information on how you can set yourself up to have a healthy child visit these links: