Prenatal Vitamins for Men

Prenatal vitamins are formulated for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, but in some cases it can be beneficial for a man to take a prenatal vitamin. If you are looking for the right kind of multivitamin, be aware of the risks that come along with taking a prenatal vitamin and let your doctor help you decide which kind of vitamin to take.

Benefits

If you are trying to conceive, you can do a few things to increase the health of your sperm, such as avoiding hot tubs, tight clothing and alcohol. Some nutrients found in prenatal vitamins, such as zinc, can improve the quality of your sperm as well. The American Pregnancy Association suggests that men take a prenatal vitamin or other multivitamin to improve pre-conception health.

Safety

Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. states that prenatal vitamins might not be suitable if you aren't a woman planning to get pregnant. Prenatal vitamins contain increased amounts of some vitamins and minerals that are necessary during pregnancy. For example, prenatals can have 800 mcg of folic acid, while adult men need only 400 mcg of folic acid a day. Prenatal vitamins also can have around 27 mg of iron, but adult men need only 8 mg of iron a day. Too much iron can be toxic, and taking too much folic acid on a regular basis can mask the symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Warning

Consuming too much of any vitamin can cause muscle weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and muscle pain. An iron overdose can have symptoms such as dehydration, nausea, convulsions and fever. If you are taking a prenatal vitamin and suspect that you have overdosed on any one nutrient, call your doctor or seek medical care.

Recommendations

If you are unsure of which type of multivitamin is best for you, talk to your doctor. The vitamin you need will vary according to your gender, age and specific nutritional needs. If your doctor recommends a prenatal vitamin, make sure to follow the dosage instructions carefully.