J Korean Med Assoc.  2011 Aug;54(8):808-817. 10.5124/jkma.2011.54.8.808.

The concepts and necessity of preconception care for men

• Hoh JK
• Park MI

• KMID: 2191128
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2011.54.8.808

Abstract

Several international initiatives have taken place with themes such as "Men as Partners in reproductive health". Furthermore, many articles have recently been published concerning men's preconception care before pregnancy. However, little attention has been paid to this field in Korea. The concept of preconception health and health care for men is very important for pregnancy outcomes, and furthermore, for the health of their future families. Men's contribution to the pregnancy is clear for planned pregnancy and also offers an opportunity for disease prevention and health promotion in men themselves. This paper reviews the important concept of men's health for preparing for pregnancy, and summarizes key component of a comprehensive approach to optimizing the preconception health status of men as expecting fathers. In fact, many clinicians including most obstetricians-gynecologists in Korea are not trained to provide preconception health and care for men. In addition, no consensus has been developed on basic guidelines for preconception care including the pregnancy planning for men and women, laboratory tests before pregnancy, vaccination programs, and much more information on preparing for a successful pregnancy. To improve preconception care for men in Korea, many barriers must be overcome, such as lack of national services, financing, organization, and men's and women's understanding of the importance of preconception health for their pregnancy. Therefore, much more research is needed on men's preconception care in Korea.

Keyword

Pregnancy; Preconception care; Preconception health; Men

MeSH Terms

Consensus
Delivery of Health Care
Family Planning Services
Fathers
Female
Health Promotion
Humans
Hypogonadism
Korea
Male
Men's Health
Mitochondrial Diseases
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
Ophthalmoplegia
Preconception Care
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Vaccination
Hypogonadism
Mitochondrial Diseases
Ophthalmoplegia

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