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Preconception health is not only important for women. The health of a man also affects his ability to have healthy children. Although you may not be planning to have a child now, you may have one in the future. Nearly half of pregnancies in California are not planned and could happen at a time when a man’s health or social situation is not ideal for becoming a father. Also, if you are planning a pregnancy with your partner, there are many factors that can affect your fertility. It’s important to know what you can do now to help ensure that you are healthy and ready if you choose to have a child.

An important step is making a Reproductive Life Plan. Learn how.

There are also steps you can take today to help you achieve a Healthy Body, a Healthy Mind, and a Healthy Environment. Click the words in blue for more information.

Healthy Body

You may already know some ways to keep your body strong and healthy, but you may not know that your physical health can also affect your fertility. Here are some ways to prevent low sperm counts or abnormal sperm:

Achieve a healthy weight by eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and by exercising for at least 30 minutes every day.
Visit your doctor once a year for health screenings and to treat medical conditions. Also learn about medications, sexually transmitted diseases, and vaccinations that can affect your health.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs that cause abnormal sperm and fertility problems.
Take care of your teeth and gums and visit your dentist at least once a year.

Healthy Mind

Another important part of staying healthy is taking care of your emotional and mental health. A healthy mind is not only important for your personal well-being, but it can also affect the health of your future children and family. Here are few ways to reduce your stress and achieve mental wellness:

Develop healthy relationships with your partner, family, and friends.
Share responsibilities with your partner. Men play an important role in supporting the health of their partner before, during, and after pregnancy.
Allow yourself to de-stress and get help for feelings of sadness or depression to achieve mental wellness.

Healthy Environment

Your health is also affected by the environment in which you live. Certain environmental factors can cause damage to sperm or cause infertility. Here are some ways to prevent low sperm counts or abnormal sperm:

Avoid exposure to radiation or chemotherapy agents that can damage sperm.
Avoid hot environments at work or during recreation to prevent low sperm counts.
Avoid environmental toxins that you may use during hobbies or work to prevent damage to sperm.

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