3 Things Men Should Do 3 Months Before Getting Pregnant

Your lifestyle can have a significant impact on your fertility and the health and wellness of your baby to be. There are several things you can do before a positive test.

Men’s health influences a couple’s overall fertility, as well as the potential outcomes of their offspring. You can optimize the quality and health of your sperm by addressing 3 key factors:

• Adjustments to your lifestyle

• Addressing any medical concerns

• Avoiding harmful exposures. 

Adjust Your Lifestyle

Key lifestyle modifications include quitting smoking, limiting alcohol to a minimal use and avoiding recreational drugs including cannabis. It is also recommended to avoid heat in the genital area such as the use of saunas and hot tubs during this time. You can optimize your nutrition with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin D and folate and minimize highly processed and high sugary foods.

Address Any Medical Concerns

It’s important to see your Family Doctor or Primary Care Provider to screen for conditions and medications that might interfere with fertility or to address any health concerns such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity or a substance use issue. Sexual health screening for varicocele, sexually transmitted infections, and even a sperm analysis can be very helpful. Medications and supplements such as exogenous testosterone, finasteride and chemotherapy can interfere with your fertility. It is important to speak to your doctor before making changes to your medication in order to review the potential benefits and risks.

Avoid Harmful Exposures

If you are needing help to quit smoking there are lots of effective treatments and supportive resources available. Many men at this stage in their life are motivated to quit smoking because doing so has such a positive impact on their health and the health of their family. 

If you work with or are exposed to chemicals and toxins such as heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and air pollution be sure to wear protective equipment and consider consulting with an occupational health specialist or speaking to your family doctor. We are also learning more about fertility and exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenols and other substances found in plastics and packaging. You may also want to limit your use of household products containing these chemicals wherever possible.

There are many things to consider when you and your partner are planning to get pregnant. Important topics that may have been previously avoided such as your communication styles, your finances, and your future plans often need to be addressed. Check out our other blogs to learn more about these topics. In the meantime, consider what you can adjust, address and avoid in order to optimize your medical and fertility health.