If you’re a woman, you’re likely very enthusiastic about getting your ducks in a row when it comes to trying for a baby. Often the first port of is sorting out your prenatal supplement.

It goes without saying that a prenatal supplement is so important as it ensures you’re getting the right nutrients you need to prepare your body for pregnancy and to support your baby’s development.

One thing that’s often not as widely known is if men need a prenatal supplement too?

The answer, in short, is yes!

It is a common misconception that sperm quality is not as important as egg health when it comes to fertility.  The truth is, sperm makes up half the embryo and therefore is half the picture (remember it takes two to tango!) When is comes to supplements you should see it as if you’re taking a prenatal supplement, he should be too.

However, as men and women have different nutritional needs, this means it is important to choose a prenatal that is specifically designed for men.

Can Men take a Women’s Conception Supplement?

When taking supplements, you have to be careful and ensure you are staying with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs) of each vitamin, and this differs for men and women.

For example, women need more iron than men – adult men are recommended to take 8mg daily, while for women it’s 18mg.

While women’s prenatal supplement includes what is recommended for women; Folate, Iron, Choline among others – a men’s prenatal should include vitamins that are specifically designed to support male fertility.

What should a Men’s Supplement include?

Folic Acid

Similar to women’s preconception supplement, an important nutrient in a Men’s preconception supplement is folate or folic acid.

In women, folate plays a hugely important role as it supports your baby’s brain and helps to protect against neural tube defects. While on the other hand, folate can support for sperm function & DNA synthesis.

While most prenatal vitamins include folic acid (a synthetic form of folate), Proceive products, including Mens & Womens Conception, use L-Methylfolate, which is the most absorbable and bioavaible form.

CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant produced by the body. CoQ10 is important for the growth and maintenance. Studies have also found that supplements of CoQ10 can help improve sperm movement.[i]

Selenium

Selenium is known to play a key role in male reproductive health, particularly in the production of sperm, and in promoting their motility so it is crucial to get enough of it! Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm cell development. It involves the division and maturation of primitive testicular cells called spermatogonia. During spermatogenesis, sperm cells are susceptible to oxidative damage, which reduces their viability. It works in many ways but its major role in reproduction is it protects the sperm from oxidising which simply means that it is an anti-oxidant.

Proceive® Men contains 26 vitamins, minerals and amino acids and ensures that those who are preparing for conception and trying for a baby get all the support they need! 

Proceive® Max Men is tailored to support the nutritional needs of men over 40 when trying for a baby as well as those (of any age) who have been trying to conceive a year or more. It contains 33 carefully selected amino acids, vitamins, minerals, with each ingredient being in its most absorbable form.

What else can men do?

In addition taking a prenatal supplement there are a number of things that men can do to support the fertility process.

1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise
3. Manage Stress
4. Don’t Smoke and Minimising Drinking
5. Avoid Keeping Phones in Your Pocket
6. Stay Cool Down There

It takes two to tango when it comes to conception, if you’re under 35 and TTC for less than one year why not try our Dual Pack? It’s a cost effective way to ensure you and your partner are getting the nutrients you need when trying to for a baby.

[i]  Gianmaria Salvio et al; Coenzyme Q10 and Male Infertility: A Systematic Review; June 2021