The clinical content of preconception care: preconception care for men

Abstract

Little attention has been given to men's preconception health and health care. This paper reviews the key elements of an approach to optimizing the preconception health status of men. Preconception care for men is important for improving family planning and pregnancy outcomes, enhancing the reproductive health and health behaviors of their female partners, and preparing men for fatherhood. Most importantly, preconception care offers an opportunity, similar to the opportunity it presents for women, for disease prevention and health promotion in men. Currently, no consensus exists on service delivery of preconception care for men--who should provide preconception care to whom, where, when, and how, and there are significant barriers to this care including the organization, financing, training, and demand. Finally, much more research on the content and how to effectively market and implement preconception care for men is needed.