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The Fertility Health of Dads is Important. Get Checked.

No matter where you are on your path to fatherhood, we recommend getting your fertility health checked by a medical professional. This checklist will help you get ready for your visit.

You’re ready to be a dad, and you’re going to be much more than just the guy that drives his wife to the hospital. That’s great news for your future family, because research confirms that a father’s dedicated involvement during preconception and pregnancy paves the way for the happiest and healthiest life possible for his partner and child.

“The amount and quality of time as well as level of involvement during pregnancy predicts how well equipped and involved the father will be after birth,” writes M. Jermane Bond, PhD, in his overview of the link between paternal involvement in preconception and pregnancy, and family health outcomes

Unfortunately, men are often excluded from preconception healthcare due to a bias toward women’s fertility concerns, time constraints, perceived high cost, and a lack of clarity about the role of a dad-to-be. Men are also often overlooked by healthcare providers when couples seek fertility care, despite the stats showing that up to half of all infertility cases involve male factors

It doesn’t have to be this way. Men’s healthcare, Bond writes, can routinely “include the basic components of preconception health, [such as] risk assessment, health promotion, clinical and psychosocial interventions.” Healthcare during preconception has a measurably positive effect on a man’s relationship with his partner, his approach to fathering, his self-esteem and continued good health

Men can, and should, seek fertility healthcare during the preconception period, the two to three months after they’ve decided to conceive a child before officially beginning to try. That’s about the length of time it takes for sperm to reach maturity. Sperm maturation is a crucial period during which epigenetic information about a father’s current well-being gets transmitted to his offspring, influencing how his child develops. This two to three month window is the perfect time for future fathers to invest in self-care to communicate the strongest legacy possible.

Proactive fertility care can also help men spot and address fertility issues before they cause more trouble. And couples experiencing infertility (defined as trying to conceive without success for a year or more) should proactively ask for testing that investigates potential male infertility factors, even if their primary healthcare provider doesn’t bring it up.

We consulted recommendations from the CDC and American Pregnancy Association to create this checklist to help you prepare for your fertility checkup, whether you’ve just started thinking about trying for a baby or are seeking answers about infertility.

Fertility Healthcare Visit Checklist for Men

Make the most of your fertility healthcare visit with this list from Beli Men’s Multivitamin 

1.  Schedule a fertility wellness exam with your primary care doctor or a urologist that specialized in men's fertility. Explain that you are planning to try to conceive and would like a preconception wellness exam. If you’ve already been trying to conceive for a while but have not been successful, be sure to ask for your visit to include a sperm analysis,as well as any other tests your urologist recommend.

2.  Before your visit, write down notes about your:
  • Past surgeries 
  • Health conditions 
  • History of health conditions in family members
  • Medications you take
  • Lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and stress
  • Vices, including smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Sex life
  • Work environment
  • How long you’ve been trying to get pregnant, if applicable
  • Your previous history of parenthood, if any
  • Your questions about men’s fertility, support for pregnancy, or anything else you wonder about. 

By coming prepared with the information above, you’ll get the most out of your visit.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

The doctor will give you a physical examination and talk with you about your fertility health. If you’ve been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, ask the urologist to check your sperm. Below are some of the tests urologists use to check different aspects of male fertility. If you’re questioning something regarding your fertility, it’s always OK to ask for the test to learn more information. Good testing gives you and your doctor a thorough picture of your fertility and helps inform decisions about treatment.

Physical Exam

This is the first-line test where your urologist will examine your body to check for physical fertility issues, such as varicocele (an enlarged vein that can block your sperm from ejaculation) and suspected hormonal issues. 

Sperm and Semen Analysis

Your fresh semen sample is analyzed to determine sperm count, morphology (sperm shape), and motility (how well they move). Because sperm count can fluctuate, sometimes doctors request a few collections over time to look at your overall fertility health.

Hormone Evaluation

Hormones are chemical signals that control your biological processes. Your doctor may recommend blood work to check your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T), as these affect your sperm production, your sex drive, and your ability to have sex. If it is indicated based on your symptoms, some doctors also check for luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and prolactin.

Genetic Testing

Genetic tests are a deep-dive where researchers look for chromosomal issues and DNA fragmentation in sperm.

Testicular Biopsy

This biopsy involves a testicular sample taken with a needle or through incision. It can show whether healthy sperm is being made in the testes. 

If indicated by these screenings, your doctor may order additional tests and imaging, or make recommendations to support your fertility health.

 

Any statement made on Belibaby.com has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend consulting with your medical provider before starting any new supplement.

This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Beli.

Additional Resources

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

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Read More

Diet has been suggested to have an influence on the quality and function of human sperm. More specifically, the results of a randomised trial have shown that including nuts as a component of a regular diet improved the quality and function of human sperm.

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A shot to the balls may be played for laughs on screen, but testicular impacts really aren’t a joke. Worse case scenario, getting hit in the balls can affect fertility thanks to complications like sexual dysfunction, low testosterone and other issues. Let's discuss.

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Read More

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Read More

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

Read More

It’s an easy assumption, but you’re much better off thinking that every prenatal vitamin is wildly different in terms of composition, nutrient quality and, importantly, nutrient amount. Not only is that actually true, it puts you in the smart consumer mindset of understanding what matters in a prenatal vitamin—and why.

Read More

Men really do benefit from specialized nutrition in the form of a prenatal vitamin that’s formulated to support sperm health. Here’s what that looks like, and how specific nutrients can impact a man’s fertility health before fatherhood.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

Read More

Just as women’s bodies need to be prepared for pregnancy, men’s bodies need to be ready to contribute healthy sperm for conception. Nutrients are the foundation that support the normal structure and function of sperm and men's fertility health. Taking Beli’s male prenatal supplement is a proactive way to strategically fuel your body to optimize fertility contributing to your overall chances of conceiving and supporting a healthy pregnancy.  

Read More

Diet has been suggested to have an influence on the quality and function of human sperm. More specifically, the results of a randomised trial have shown that including nuts as a component of a regular diet improved the quality and function of human sperm.

Read More

A shot to the balls may be played for laughs on screen, but testicular impacts really aren’t a joke. Worse case scenario, getting hit in the balls can affect fertility thanks to complications like sexual dysfunction, low testosterone and other issues. Let's discuss.

Read More

With the New Year upon us, there are all kinds of articles and videos making the rounds with predictions of the Zodiac signs most likely to get pregnant in 2024. But here at Beli, we take a much more scientific approach to conception. Here are the top eight things people will do to get pregnant in 2024.

Read More

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Read More

When it comes to becoming parents, good habits really will take you where you want to go. Now, new science is giving us insight into exactly how long it takes to form those good habits. We're breaking down all the ways you can build healthy habits to boost your chances of conception. Think of it as life-hacking, but for grown-ups.

Read More

Here at Beli, we’re working hard to raise awareness of the important role men play in the baby-making equation, which brings us to today’s topic of men’s preconception health and specifically, sperm health. Knowing what you’re working with can save you a lot of time, but is at-home sperm testing considered an important part of men’s preconception health? Let’s break it down.

Read More

There’s a certain magic to the holiday season, whether you’re all-in on the decorations and the family time or a self-proclaimed Scrooge from mid-November to the New Year. But when you’re trying to conceive, it can be a challenging time.  We’re sharing five tips for managing the holidays when you’re trying to conceive.

Read More

Everyone knows that alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix. But what about before you’re pregnant, during the trying-to-conceive stage? There’s no evidence that the occasional drink—i.e. one or two a week—is going to torpedo your chances of parenthood. But it is true that the more you drink, the greater the likelihood it will have an effect on your health. Here’s what the research says about alcohol and your fertility.

Read More

You’re clear on the mechanics of making a baby, but how much do you really know about conception and fertility? There are a lot of wild stories, downright falsehoods and notions that are actually rooted in a kernel of truth out there. In the interest of sticking to the facts, we’re debunking 15 of the most common myths about conception and fertility.

Read More

When you’re knocking boots in an effort to get knocked up, timing is everything. Your best chance of conceiving is during the most fertile time of your menstrual cycle—when you ovulate. The key is figuring out exactly when that happens. Fortunately, you have a few ways of detecting ovulation. Here’s what to know about understanding ovulation and timing sex for pregnancy.

Read More

You have big plans for parenthood in 2024, which means this is the time to start laying the groundwork for everything to come. While so much of conception is beyond our control, there are actionable steps you and your partner can take right now to support and nourish your fertility.

Read More

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Read More

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Read More

Heard the one about ice baths and testosterone? Spoiler: there's little to no research behind that idea. Here’s what to know about cold plunges and male fertility, according to the research, plus where you should really focus your efforts if you’re trying to improve sperm health.

Read More

As a society, we’re an impatient bunch, and that applies to pregnancy, too. The second you decide it’s time to try for a baby, you’re ready to see those two pink lines. If you’ve recently tossed the birth control and you’re wondering how long it should take to get pregnant, here's what to know.

Read More

Jimmy Fallon. Hugh Jackman. Mark Zuckerberg. Keith Urban. Gordon Ramsey. Kyle Busch. Besides immediate name recognition, what else do these men have in common? They’ve all struggled with infertility issues—and it’s something they’re all talking about publicly. Here's why that matters.

Read More

While it’s true that popular hair loss meds work minor miracles on that receding hairline and back-of-the-head bald patch, it’s also true that it can come with side effects—some of them sexual. So, what does that mean in terms of male fertility? Here’s what couples should understand about the effects of popular hair-loss medications on sperm health.

Read More

A few years ago, the keto diet was all the rage—a high-fat, low-carb way to shed pounds quickly. While it’s lost a bit of its luster, as all diet trends do, interest in the keto diet remains. Specifically, those hoping to become parents wonder whether following this way of eating could support fertility. Is a diet high in fat and low in carbs the answer? It’s possible. Here’s what to know about the keto diet and whether it might help support fertility.

Read More

When you’re pregnant, of course, you’re told to limit your caffeine consumption. But what about when you’re trying to conceive? Can too much caffeine affect your chances of conception as a couple? It's a good idea to cut back—which means you need to be really clear about sneaky sources of caffeine in your diet.

Read More