What to Look for in a Male Prenatal Vitamin

Feb 17, 21 ● 6 min

If you are in the process of trying to get pregnant, prenatal vitamins are an absolute must for women! But what about men? Do men need to take a prenatal vitamin too?

By Urologist and male fertility expert Dr. Andrew Sun

If you are in the process of trying to get pregnant, prenatal vitamins are an absolute must for women! But what about men? Do men need to take a prenatal vitamin too? Research shows that some key antioxidants can play a role in sperm health. The Prenatal for him was carefully developed using peer-reviewed studies that reflect the latest research in male fertility.

What goes into our men’s prenatal?

So, what goes into making our Prenatal for him, and can it improve your chances of pregnancy? Let's take a look at the research that supports the formulation of these multivitamins for male fertility.

Selenium: Daily selenium supplementation in conjunction with vitamin E supplementation has been shown to improve sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology of infertile men, especially those with idiopathic asthenoteratospermia.

CoQ10: Daily CoQ10 supplementation improves sperm concentration, sperm motility, seminal fluid CoQ10, and total antioxidant capacity, allowing for reduced oxidative stress on the sperm as well as reduced sperm DNA damage.

Vitamin D: Daily vitamin D supplementation in conjunction with calcium supplementation has been shown to have potential positive impacts on live birth rate and serum inhibin B levels in oligozoospermic and vitamin D-deficient males. Additionally, low serum inhibin B is correlated with low sperm count, revealing that vitamin D is a key factor in spermatogenesis. Look for vitamin D in your prenatal multivitamin or supplement with vitamin D gummies for adults.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C has antioxidizing properties which allow it to neutralize free radical activity and protect sperm from reactive oxygen species which can cause potential damage. Studies have shown that supplementation with Vitamin C can decrease sperm DNA damage, as well as improve other sperm parameters including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.

Lycopene: Daily lycopene supplementation has been shown to improve sperm parameters as a result of its antioxidant properties which allow it to reduce oxidative stress on the sperm due to excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby decreasing the risk of sperm DNA damage. Additionally, lycopene has also been found to increase sperm count and viability through decreasing lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane and sperm DNA damage.

Vitamin E: Daily vitamin E supplementation in combination with selenium was noted to improve sperm motility as well as morphology, especially in men suffering from infertility or idiopathic asthenoteratospermia.

DHA: Daily supplementation of DHA has resulted in remarkable improvements in sperm and seminal fluid health after only 10 weeks of treatment. A large Danish study found that fish oil supplementation (which contains high amounts of DHA) was associated with improved testicular function and semen volume.

Boosting sperm health

Natalist’s male prenatal vitamins are designed to improve reproductive success through improving sperm viability. Our ingredients have been analyzed in-depth from a multitude of recent research studies and clinical trials, however, it is important to note that everyone’s body is unique. Factors such as pre-existing medical conditions, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and general poor health can result in decreased male fertility. If you are experiencing trouble with infertility, please consult your provider to learn more about how you and your partner can better increase your chances of conceiving.

Natalist’s male prenatal vitamins are designed to improve reproductive success through improving sperm viability.

Improving the body’s physical and psychological health

The best way to increase sperm quantity, optimize sperm movement, and better sperm morphology is to improve the body’s physical and psychological health.

It is important to maintain a healthy body weight as increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with decreased sperm viability and decreased testosterone, a hormone critical to sperm production. Furthermore, focusing on maintaining a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables may result in better sperm health through the introduction of antioxidant rich food sources to the body. Additionally, physical exercise is highly important to male fertility and general health.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can decrease male fertility, so quitting smoking and drinking only in moderation are key to maintaining healthy levels of sperm production. It is also important to avoid toxins, including pesticides and other harmful chemicals, as they can decrease sperm quantity and quality.
Do not neglect the importance of mental health - stress, anxiety, and poor sleep can all cause a decrease in hormones that are necessary for sperm production.
Finally, a few other tips to improve male fertility include using f ertility-friendly lubricants and protecting the testicles from exposure to high temperatures (no more dips in the hot tub!). Increased scrotal temperature hinders effective sperm production, so it’s important to keep that area cool.

📖 Read our guide to Male Fertility ⟶

50% of all infertility cases include a male factor, usually the result of poor sperm quality. Higher rates of male infertility are associated with increasing age, poor lifestyle habits, obesity, lack of exercise, and certain environmental factors. Sperm health is really a proxy for overall health - an unhealthy body yields unhealthy sperm, while a well-nourished, active, and healthy body produces healthy, viable sperm. While the key to improving fertility potential therefore lies in improving general health, there is growing scientific evidence that supplementation with certain vitamins may also provide an extra boost in improving sperm quality.

50% of all infertility cases include a male factor usually the result of poor sperm quality.

In addition to lifestyle changes and nutritional optimization, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a doctor who specializes in male fertility for a formal evaluation, which includes a detailed history and physical examination. Additionally, a semen analysis and hormone tests should be ordered to check your current fertility potential, and to find targeted areas for improvement.

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Dr. Andrew Sun

Professional Experience

Dr. Andrew Y. Sun is a fellowship-trained urologist and expert in the fields of Male Fertility and Sexual Medicine with a passion for helping men optimize their health and well-being.... Read More